Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 7:23

"And every living thing was destroyed that was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only was left, and they that were with him in the ark." — Genesis 7:23 (ASV)

Every living substance. — Every thing that stood erect (See Note on Genesis 7:4).

Upon the face of the ground. —The adâmâh, the portion subdued to his use by the adam, man.