Genesis 7:17

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the flood {H3999} was forty {H705} days {H3117} upon the earth {H776}; and the waters {H4325} increased {H7235}, and bare up {H5375} the ark {H8392}, and it was lift up {H7311} above the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The flood was forty days on the earth; the water grew higher and floated the ark, so that it was lifted up off the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 7:17 vividly portrays the initial, transformative forty-day period of the Great Flood, highlighting the relentless deluge that progressively deepened and supernaturally elevated Noah's ark. This verse underscores God's active and sustained involvement in both judgment upon a wicked world and meticulous preservation of His chosen remnant, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 7:17 is situated within the dramatic crescendo of the Flood narrative, immediately following the detailed account of Noah, his family, and all the animals entering the ark as commanded by God ([Genesis 7:7-9](/genesis/7-7-9 "Noah and his family enter the ark")). The preceding verses describe the *beginning* of the torrential rains and the breaking up of the fountains of the great deep ([Genesis 7:11-12](/genesis/7-11-12 "The flood begins")). This verse, therefore, marks a critical transition from the *commencement* of the flood to its *intensification* and the immediate, profound impact on the earth and the ark. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses that describe the complete inundation of the earth and the perishing of all living things outside the ark ([Genesis 7:19-23](/genesis/7-19-23 "The waters cover the earth")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of a great flood was not unique to ancient Israel, with various flood narratives existing in Mesopotamian cultures (e.g., the Epic of Gilgamesh, Atrahasis Epic). However, the Genesis account stands apart by emphasizing the flood as a direct, moral judgment from a singular, righteous God, rather than a capricious act of multiple deities. The "forty days" mentioned here carries significant symbolic weight in biblical tradition, often representing periods of divine testing, purification, or preparation, as seen in Moses' forty days on Mount Sinai ([Exodus 34:28](/exodus/34-28 "Moses on Mount Sinai")), Israel's forty years in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:33-34](/numbers/14-33-34 "Forty years in the wilderness")), or Jesus' forty days of temptation in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Jesus' temptation in the wilderness")). This duration in Genesis 7:17 signifies a complete and decisive phase of God's work.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights God's **sovereignty and justice** in judging human wickedness and violence ([Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's grief over human wickedness")). Simultaneously, it underscores God's **faithfulness and preservation** of a righteous remnant, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant and redemptive plan through Noah ([Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-6 "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord")). The ark itself becomes a profound symbol of **divine provision and salvation**, a means of rescue meticulously designed and ordained by God. The "lifting up" of the ark also foreshadows the theme of **separation**—setting apart the righteous from the condemned world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Flood (Hebrew, _mabbûwl'_):** This term (H3999) specifically denotes a "deluge" or "flood" of immense and overwhelming proportions. In biblical usage, *mabbûwl* is almost exclusively used to refer to the Genesis Flood, distinguishing it from ordinary floods or inundations. Its use here emphasizes the unique, unprecedented, and divinely orchestrated nature of this global catastrophe, not a mere natural occurrence.
* **Forty (Hebrew, _ʼarbâʻîym'_):** The number "forty" (H705) signifies a complete, definitive period of time, often associated with testing, judgment, or preparation in biblical narratives. Here, it marks the duration of the initial, continuous outpouring of water, establishing the relentless and sustained nature of God's judgment upon the earth. It indicates a full measure of time for the divine work to unfold.
* **Lift up (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** The verb *rûwm* (H7311) means "to be high, to rise or raise." In this context, it describes the ark's elevation above the earth by the increasing waters. This is not merely passive floating but an active, divinely enabled "lifting." It underscores God's direct agency in preserving the ark, ensuring its safety and separation from the destruction below, rather than leaving its fate to chance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the flood was forty days upon the earth":** This opening clause establishes the duration and the immediate, widespread impact of the divine judgment. The "forty days" signifies a complete and sustained period of God's active work, emphasizing the relentless nature of the deluge that covered the entire land.
* **"and the waters increased":** This phrase highlights the progressive and overwhelming power of the flood. It indicates a continuous rise in the water level, demonstrating the magnitude of the inundation and the unstoppable force of God's judgment. The waters were not static but actively growing in depth and expanse.
* **"and bare up the ark":** Here, the text emphasizes God's direct, active preservation. The Hebrew verb *nâsâʼ* (H5375), translated "bare up," means "to lift, carry, or bear." This indicates that the waters, while an instrument of judgment for the world, were divinely directed to actively support and elevate the ark. The ark was not merely floating passively; it was supernaturally sustained and carried by the rising deluge, reinforcing God's meticulous involvement in Noah's preservation.
* **"and it was lift up above the earth.":** This final clause underscores the ark's complete separation and elevation from the condemned world. The ark's being "lift up" (H7311, *rûwm*) signifies its unique position of safety and distinction. It visually represents God's act of setting apart those who are faithful, elevating them above the chaos and destruction that consumed the unrighteous, a powerful symbol of divine rescue amidst universal judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 7:17 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "flood" representing divine judgment and cleansing, while the "ark" symbolizes God's unique provision for salvation and preservation. The waters themselves, paradoxically, serve as both the instrument of destruction for the unrighteous and the means of elevation and safety for the ark. The concise, declarative statements create a sense of **divine agency** and inevitability, emphasizing that these events are not random occurrences but the direct, purposeful actions of God. The repeated mention of the "earth" throughout the broader narrative (and implied here) reinforces the **totality** and universality of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 7:17 is a pivotal verse that encapsulates the dual nature of God's character: His righteous judgment against sin and His faithful preservation of a remnant. The relentless forty-day flood underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. Yet, within this context of overwhelming judgment, the ark's supernatural elevation by the very waters of destruction powerfully illustrates God's meticulous care for those who obey Him. This passage establishes a foundational truth: salvation from divine wrath is found only through a means specifically provided and ordained by God, setting a pattern for future acts of divine deliverance.

* [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's grief over human wickedness"): The flood narrative, particularly the increasing waters, powerfully demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His righteous judgment against pervasive human sin.
* [Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord"): The ark's elevation signifies God's commitment to preserve a faithful remnant amidst widespread apostasy and destruction, ensuring the continuation of His redemptive plan for humanity.
* [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "By faith Noah prepared an ark"): The ark serves as a profound type of salvation, illustrating that rescue from divine judgment is found only through a specific means provided and ordained by God, which requires faith and obedience to enter.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 7:17 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's word, whether of judgment or salvation, is unfailingly fulfilled. Just as the ark was supernaturally lifted above the doomed earth, believers today are called to live lives [set apart from the world's corrupting influences](/romans/12-2 "Do not be conformed to this world"), sustained by God's grace amidst life's inevitable storms. This verse encourages us to trust in God's active preservation, knowing that He remains committed to His faithful, even when chaos surrounds them. It calls us to build our lives on the solid foundation of obedience to God's commands, anticipating His deliverance and finding our security in His divine provision, rather than in the fleeting stability of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I see God's justice and His mercy at work in my life and the world today?**
* **How does the image of the ark being "lifted up above the earth" challenge me to live a life set apart from worldly influences?**
* **What "storms" or challenges am I facing, and how can I trust in God's active preservation to "bear me up" through them?**
* **How does Noah's obedience, which led to his preservation, inspire my own walk of faith and obedience?**

### FAQ
**Was the flood described in Genesis 7:17 a purely natural disaster?**

Answer: While the flood involved natural elements like rain and water, Genesis 7:17 and the broader narrative present it unequivocally as a divinely orchestrated event, not a mere natural disaster. The text emphasizes God's direct involvement in initiating the deluge ([Genesis 7:4](/genesis/7-4 "God announces the flood")), increasing the waters, and supernaturally lifting and sustaining the ark. It was an act of deliberate divine judgment against human wickedness ([Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's grief over human wickedness")) and a profound act of preservation for Noah and his family, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His moral governance of the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ark in Genesis 7:17, miraculously lifted above the waters of judgment, serves as a powerful prefigurement of Christ and His redemptive work. Just as the ark provided the sole means of salvation from a world condemned by water, so too is Jesus Christ the exclusive means of salvation from the judgment of sin. The very waters that brought death to the unrighteous simultaneously bore up the ark to safety, much like Christ's death on the cross, which, though an act of judgment against sin, became the very means of our deliverance and eternal life. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Christ elevates believers above the condemnation of the world, offering new life and a secure refuge. As [1 Peter 3:20-21](/1_peter/3-20-21 "Noah's ark and baptism") suggests, Noah's salvation through water foreshadows Christian baptism, which is not merely a washing of the body but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Ark and Deliverer, who has [overcome the world](/john/16-33 "Jesus has overcome the world") and offers eternal life to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Genesis 7:12

And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.