Genesis 7:10

And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

And it came to pass after seven {H7651} days {H3117}, that the waters {H4325} of the flood {H3999} were upon the earth {H776}.

After seven days the water flooded the earth.

And after seven days the floodwaters came upon the earth.

And it came to pass after the seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

Commentary

Genesis 7:10 KJV Commentary

Context of Genesis 7:10

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of the great flood. Following God's detailed instructions to Noah to build the ark and gather the animals (Genesis 6:14-21), and Noah's complete obedience in bringing all into the ark (Genesis 7:7-9), a final waiting period commences. The phrase "after seven days" specifies the exact culmination of this grace period, leading directly to the onset of the universal deluge as decreed by God. This waiting period served as a final testament to God's patience before the outpouring of His righteous judgment upon a wicked world.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Patience and Judgment: The seven-day interval demonstrates God's immense patience, offering a final window of opportunity for any who might repent and seek refuge in the ark. It highlights that while God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish, His patience has a definite end, followed by righteous judgment. The flood ultimately represents God's response to rampant human wickedness and violence.
  • God's Precise Timing: The phrase "after seven days" emphasizes God's meticulous timing and sovereignty. The flood did not begin arbitrarily but exactly when God had ordained, demonstrating His complete control over creation and history. This reinforces the principle that God's prophecies and warnings are always fulfilled with precision and certainty.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse signifies the beginning of the fulfillment of God's pronouncement to destroy all living things on earth with a flood (Genesis 6:17). It underscores the certainty of God's word and the inevitability of His decrees, serving as a powerful example of biblical prophecy coming to pass.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "after seven days" is le'shiv'at yamim (ืœึฐืฉึดืื‘ึฐืขึทืช ื™ึธืžึดื™ื), which literally translates to "at the end of seven days" or "after seven days." This precise temporal marker underscores the divine countdown and the completion of a specific period. The word for "flood" used here, mabbul (ืžึทื‘ึผื•ึผืœ), is a unique term in the Old Testament, specifically referring to this cataclysmic, global deluge, distinguishing it from ordinary floods or rains. This highlights the extraordinary nature of the event.

Practical Application

Genesis 7:10 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths for believers today:

  • Heed God's Warnings: Just as the world had a limited time to respond to Noah's preaching and God's warning, we are called to pay attention to God's word and warnings in our own lives and in the present age. There is a season of grace, but also a certainty of judgment for those who reject God.
  • God's Word is Certain: The exact fulfillment of the flood prophecy assures us that God's promises and warnings, including those concerning future judgment and Christ's return, will likewise come to pass precisely as He has declared. We can trust the reliability of Scripture.
  • Obedience is Key: Noah's faithful obedience throughout the entire process, including the final seven-day wait, saved him and his family. This encourages us to remain steadfast in our obedience to God, trusting His timing and His plan, knowing that obedience leads to salvation and blessing.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 17:27

    They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

  • Genesis 7:4

    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.

  • Job 22:16

    Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

  • Genesis 6:17

    And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life, from under heaven; [and] every thing that [is] in the earth shall die.

  • Matthew 24:38

    For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

  • Matthew 24:39

    And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

  • Genesis 7:17

    ยถ 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.
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