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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 7:17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/7-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_07_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 7:17 - The Duration of the Flood" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/7-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/7-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/7-16.htm" title="Genesis 7:16">◄</a> Genesis 7:17 <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm" title="Genesis 7:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days; and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water multiplied and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The flood [the great downpour of rain] was forty days <i>and</i> nights on the earth; and the waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it floated [high] above the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The flood continued for forty days on the earth; the water increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The flood continued for 40 days on the earth; the waters increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The flood continued for 40 days on the earth. The water increased and lifted the ship so that it rose high above the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The flood continued for forty days, and the water became deep enough for the boat to float. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The flood continued throughout the earth for 40 days, while the flood waters increased, lifting the ark so that it rose above the surface of the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The flood engulfed the earth for forty days. As the waters increased, they lifted the ark and raised it above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The flood was forty days on the earth. The waters increased, and lifted up the vessel, and it was lifted up above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the flood was forty days upon the earth: and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it was lifted above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The flood was forty days on the earth. The waters increased, and lifted up the ship, and it was lifted up above the earth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the flood is on the earth [for] forty days, and the waters multiply and lift up the Ark, and it is raised up from off the earth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the deluge is forty days on the earth, and the waters multiply, and lift up the ark, and it is raised up from off the earth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the flood shall be forty days upon the earth, and the waters shall multiply, and shall take up the ark, and it shall be lifted up from above the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the flood was forty days upon the earth, and the waters increased, and lifted up the ark on high from earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the great flood occurred for forty days upon the earth. And the waters were increased, and they lifted the ark high above the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The flood continued upon the earth for forty days. As the waters increased, they lifted the ark, so that it rose above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the flood lasted forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased and bore up the ark so that it was lifted up above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the flood was forty days on the Earth, and the waters increased, and they lifted the ark and it was lifted up from the Earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the flood was upon the earth forty days and forty nights, and the water abounded greatly and bore up the ark, and it was lifted on high from off the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/7-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=1577" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/7.htm">The Duration of the Flood</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/705.htm" title="705: ’ar·bā·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Forty. Multiple of arba'; forty.">For forty</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days</a> <a href="/hebrew/3999.htm" title="3999: ham·mab·būl (Art:: N-ms) -- A flood. From yabal in the sense of flowing; a deluge.">the flood</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">kept coming</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the earth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">and the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: way·yir·bū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">rose</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">and lifted</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8392.htm" title="8392: hat·tê·ḇāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A box, chest. Perhaps of foreign derivation; a box.">the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/7311.htm" title="7311: wat·tā·rām (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To be high or exalted, rise. A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">high above</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the earth.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-38.htm">Matthew 24:38-39</a></span><br />For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-26.htm">Luke 17:26-27</a></span><br />Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">Hebrews 11:7</a></span><br />By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-20.htm">1 Peter 3:20</a></span><br />who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-5.htm">2 Peter 2:5</a></span><br />if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-6.htm">2 Peter 3:6</a></span><br />through which the world of that time perished in the flood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-17.htm">Genesis 6:17</a></span><br />And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/8-1.htm">Genesis 8:1</a></span><br />But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark. And God sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/8-3.htm">Genesis 8:3-4</a></span><br />The waters receded steadily from the earth, and after 150 days the waters had gone down. / On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-11.htm">Genesis 9:11</a></span><br />And I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/22-16.htm">Job 22:16</a></span><br />They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/29-10.htm">Psalm 29:10</a></span><br />The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-9.htm">Isaiah 54:9</a></span><br />“For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/26-19.htm">Ezekiel 26:19</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When I make you a desolate city like other deserted cities, and when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-37.htm">Matthew 24:37</a></span><br />As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the flood was forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/7-4.htm">Genesis 7:4,12</a></b></br> For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/7-16.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/1_john/2-19.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/genesis/7-10.htm">Deluge</a> <a href="/genesis/7-14.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/7-10.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/genesis/7-12.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/genesis/6-16.htm">High</a> <a href="/genesis/1-22.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/genesis/6-20.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/4-7.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/genesis/6-1.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/revelation/10-5.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/genesis/7-15.htm">Ship</a> <a href="/genesis/7-10.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/7-10.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/genesis/8-5.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/genesis/9-11.htm">Deluge</a> <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/9-11.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/genesis/8-6.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/genesis/7-19.htm">High</a> <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/genesis/8-1.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/14-22.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/genesis/14-22.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Ship</a> <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/7-18.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/7-1.htm">Noah, his family and the living creatures enter the ark.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/7-6.htm">The flood begins.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/7-17.htm">The increase of the flood for forty days.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/7-21.htm">All flesh is destroyed by it.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/7-24.htm">Its duration of 150 days.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For forty days</b><br>The number forty is significant in the Bible, often symbolizing a period of testing, trial, or judgment. Examples include the Israelites wandering in the desert for forty years (<a href="/numbers/14-33.htm">Numbers 14:33-34</a>) and Jesus fasting for forty days in the wilderness (<a href="/matthew/4-2.htm">Matthew 4:2</a>). This period of forty days of rain represents God's judgment on a sinful world, paralleling other biblical instances where forty signifies a time of purification or preparation.<p><b>the flood kept coming on the earth</b><br>The flood narrative is a central event in Genesis, marking a divine reset of creation due to humanity's pervasive wickedness (<a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5-7</a>). The floodwaters are seen as an instrument of God's judgment, cleansing the earth of corruption. This event is also echoed in other ancient Near Eastern flood stories, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, though the biblical account emphasizes moral and theological themes.<p><b>and the waters rose</b><br>The rising waters symbolize the overwhelming nature of God's judgment. This phrase highlights the totality of the flood, covering all the earth and eradicating all life outside the ark. It serves as a reminder of God's power and the seriousness of sin. The rising waters can also be seen as a reversal of creation, where God initially separated the waters to create dry land (<a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9-10</a>).<p><b>and lifted the ark high above the earth</b><br>The ark, a vessel of salvation, is lifted above the destruction below, symbolizing God's provision and protection for Noah and his family. The ark can be seen as a type of Christ, offering salvation and refuge from judgment. Just as the ark was the only means of survival during the flood, Jesus is the only way to salvation (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>). The lifting of the ark also foreshadows the resurrection, where believers are raised to new life through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah</a></b><br>A righteous man chosen by God to build the ark and preserve life during the flood. His obedience and faith are central to this account.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ark.htm">The Ark</a></b><br>A large vessel constructed by Noah under God's instructions to save his family and pairs of every living creature from the flood.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_flood.htm">The Flood</a></b><br>A divine judgment sent by God to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness, lasting forty days and nights.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_earth.htm">The Earth</a></b><br>The entire world, which was covered by the floodwaters, symbolizing the totality of God's judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_waters.htm">The Waters</a></b><br>Representing both judgment and salvation, as they destroyed the wicked but lifted the ark, preserving Noah and his family.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_in_faith.htm">Obedience in Faith</a></b><br>Noah's unwavering obedience to God's command to build the ark serves as a model for trusting God's plan, even when it seems beyond understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a></b><br>The flood account illustrates God's righteous judgment against sin and His mercy in providing a means of salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a></b><br>Just as God's word brought the flood, His promises are sure and will come to pass. Believers are called to trust in His word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_the_unexpected.htm">Preparation for the Unexpected</a></b><br>Like Noah, believers are encouraged to prepare spiritually for the unexpected, living in a way that honors God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_water.htm">Symbolism of Water</a></b><br>The floodwaters symbolize both destruction and new beginnings, reminding believers of the transformative power of God's grace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_oil_and_coal_take_so_long_to_form.htm">Why do oil and coal deposits require millions of years to form rather than a few thousand?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_older_texts_share_flood_myths.htm">Why do ancient religious texts predate the Bible but contain similar flood myths?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_ancient_tales_describe_a_flood.htm">What ancient stories describe a great flood?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_global_flood_in_all_histories.htm">Why do we not find evidence of a global flood in all civilizations’ histories?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17-19) <span class= "bld">The waters increased . . . --</span>The swelling of the flood is told with great power in these verses but every stage and detail has reference to the ark, as if the author of the narrative was one of those on board. First, the "waters increased," and raised up the ark till it floated. Next, "they became strong and increased exceedingly"--the word rendered "prevailed" really signifying the setting in of mighty currents (see on <a href="/genesis/8-1.htm" title="And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;">Genesis 8:1</a>), as the waters sought the lower ground--and at this stage the ark began to move. Finally, they "became strong exceedingly, exceedingly," rushing along with ever-increasing force, and carrying the ark high above every hill in its course. Of these it is said--<p><span class= "bld">All the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.</span>--Interpreting this by the English Version, many regard it as a proof of the deluge having been universal. But omitting the well-known fact that in the Bible the word "all" means much less than with us, we must also remember that the Hebrew language has a very small vocabulary, and "the whole heaven" means simply <span class= "ital">the whole shy. </span>We with our composite language borrow a word for it from the Greek, and say "the whole horizon," that is, the whole heaven, bounded by the line of the spectators vision. So then here. Far and wide, in every direction, to the utmost reach of the beholder's gaze, no mountain was in sight. All was a surging waste of flood. But there is no idea here of the mountains of Auvergne, with the ashes of old-world volcanoes still reposing upon their craters, extinct from a time probably long anterior to the creation even of man. The mountains were those of the Noachian world, as limited as the Roman world of <a href="/luke/2-1.htm" title="And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.">Luke 2:1</a>, or even more so.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 17-19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the flood was forty days upon the earth</span>. Referring to the forty days' and nights' rain of ver. 4 (<span class="greek">τεσσαράκοντα</span> <span class="greek">ἡμέρας καὶ τεσσαράκοντα νύκτας</span>, LXX.), during which the augmentation of the waters is described in a threefold degree. <span class="cmt_word">And the waters increased</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">grew great</span>. The <span class="accented">first degree</span> of increase, marked by the <span class="accented">floating</span> of the ark. <span class="cmt_word">And bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">it was high from upon the earth, i.e.</span> it rose above it. <span class="cmt_word">And the waters prevailed.</span> Literally, <span class="accented">were strong</span>; from <span class="hebrew">גָּבַר</span>, to be strong; whence the Gibborim of <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm">Genesis 6:4</a>. <span class="cmt_word">And were increased greatly on the earth.</span> Literally, <span class="accented">became great, greatly</span>. The second <span class="accented">degree</span> of increase, marked by the <span class="accented">going</span> of the ark. <span class="cmt_word">And the ark went</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> floated along; <span class="greek">καὶ ἐπεφέρετο</span>, LXX. (<a href="/psalms/104-26.htm">Psalm 104:26</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">upon the face of the waters.</span> <span class="cmt_word">And the waters prevailed exceedingly</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">and the waters became strong, exceedingly</span>. The <span class="accented">third degree</span> of increase, marked by the <span class="accented">submergence</span> of the mountains. <span class="cmt_word">And all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.</span> A clear assertion of the universality of the Flood (Keil, Kalisch, Alford, Bush, Wordsworth); but the language does not necessarily imply more than that all the high hills beneath the spectator s heaven were submerged (cf. <a href="/genesis/41-57.htm">Genesis 41:57</a>; <a href="/exodus/9-25.htm">Exodus 9:25</a>; <a href="/exodus/10-15.htm">Exodus 10:15</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/2-25.htm">Deuteronomy 2:25</a>; <a href="/1_kings/10-24.htm">1 Kings 10:24</a>; <a href="/acts/2-5.htm">Acts 2:5</a>; <a href="/colossians/1-25.htm">Colossians 1:25</a>, for instances in which the universal terms all and every must be taken with a limited signification); while it is almost certain that, had the narrator even designed to record only the fact that all the heights within the visible horizon had disappeared beneath the rising waters, he would have done so by saying that "all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered." While, then, it is admitted that the words may depict a complete submergence of the globe, it is maintained by many competent scholars that the necessities of exegesis only demand a partial inundation (Peele, Murphy, Taylor Lewis, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Inglis). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/7-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For forty</span><br /><span class="heb">אַרְבָּעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·bā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_705.htm">Strong's 705: </a> </span><span class="str2">Forty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days</span><br /><span class="heb">י֖וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the flood</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּבּ֛וּל</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mab·būl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3999.htm">Strong's 3999: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flood -- a deluge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kept coming</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְהִ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the earth,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the waters</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּ֗יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rose</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yir·bū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and lifted</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ark</span><br /><span class="heb">הַתֵּבָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hat·tê·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8392.htm">Strong's 8392: </a> </span><span class="str2">A box, chest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">high above</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעַ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the earth.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/7-17.htm">Genesis 7:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/7-17.htm">OT Law: Genesis 7:17 The flood was forty days (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/7-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 7:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 7:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/7-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 7:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 7:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>