Genesis 7:17-23

17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth.
18 The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.
19 They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered.
20 The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits.[a][b]
21 Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind.
22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died.
23 Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

Genesis 7:17-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 7

This chapter begins with an order to Noah to come with his family and all the creatures into the ark, that they might be safe from the flood, which would quickly be upon the earth, Ge 7:1-4 and then gives an account of Noah's obedience to the divine command in every particular, Ge 7:5-9 and of the time of the beginning of the flood, and its prevalence, Ge 7:10-12 then follows a repetition of Noah, his family, and the creatures entering into the ark, Ge 7:13-16 and next a relation is given of the increase of the waters, and of the height they arrived unto, Ge 7:17-20 and of the consequences of the flood, the death and destruction of every living creature, except those in the ark, fowl, cattle, beast, creeping things, and men, Ge 7:21-23 and the chapter is closed with an account how long the waters continued before they began to ebb, even one hundred and fifty days, Ge 7:24.

Cross References 7

  • 1. S ver 4
  • 2. Psalms 104:6
  • 3. Genesis 8:4-5; 2 Peter 3:6
  • 4. S Genesis 6:7,13; 2 Peter 3:6
  • 5. S Genesis 1:30
  • 6. Job 14:19; Job 21:18; Job 22:11,16; Psalms 90:5; Isaiah 28:2; Matthew 24:39; Luke 17:27; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5
  • 7. Hebrews 11:7

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, about 23 feet or about 6.8 meters
  • [b]. Or "rose more than fifteen cubits, and the mountains were covered"
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