Definition: And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 6:5. It’s a really important message about humanity and God’s relationship with us. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: God is concerned that humans are becoming increasingly bad – not just a little bit, but deeply troubled and focused on evil thoughts. He sees this as a significant problem for the world. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "And GOD saw..." : This means God noticed something wasn’t right. He was paying attention to a pattern of behavior. "...that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth..." : "Wickedness" here doesn’t mean just being grumpy or bad-tempered. It means a serious, negative attitude that's causing trouble and harm. Think about it as a growing tendency towards evil thoughts and actions. This “wickedness” is spreading throughout the world. "...and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually." : This is the core of the verse. "Thoughts of his heart" refers to what humans are thinking – their desires, plans, and motivations. The word “continuously” means it’s not just occasional bad thoughts; it's a persistent, growing negativity. It’s like a dark cloud that’s always there, constantly creating problems. So, what does this mean practically? God is saying that humanity has been falling into a state of intense negativity and wickedness for a very long time. This negative thinking is causing significant problems – hurting people, disrupting relationships, damaging the environment, and ultimately leading to disaster. It’s like a slow-burning fire that's consuming everything around it. Why is this important? This verse is often seen as a warning about humanity’s potential for evil. It suggests that we need to be mindful of our thoughts and intentions because they have a powerful influence on the world. It sets the stage for the story of Noah and the flood, which God uses as a way to cleanse the earth of this wickedness. In short: God is worried about humanity’s negative thoughts and their impact on the world, and he's urging us to change our thinking so that we don’t cause more harm. --- Do you want me to: Explain it in a different way? Give an example of what this "wickedness" might look like? Talk about the significance of the flood?