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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 7:17–20. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We are here told,
I.How long the flood was increasing - forty days, Gen 7:17.
The profane world, who believed not that it would come, probably when it came flattered themselves with hopes that it would soon abate and never come to extremity; but still it increased, it prevailed. Note,
1.When God judges he will overcome. If he begin, he will make an end; his way is perfect, both in judgment and mercy.
2.The gradual approaches and advances of God's judgments, which are designed to bring sinners to repentance, are often abused to the hardening of them in their presumption.
II.To what degree they increased:
they rose so high that not only the low flat countries were deluged, but to make sure work, and that none might escape, the tops of the highest mountains were overflowed - fifteen cubits, that is, seven yards and a half; so that in vain was salvation hoped for from hills or mountains, Jer 3:23. None of God's creatures are so high but his power can overtop them; and he will make them know that wherein they deal proudly he is above them. Perhaps the tops of the mountains were washed down by the strength of the waters, which helped much towards the prevailing of the waters above them; for it is said (Job 12:15), He sends out the waters, and they not only overflow, but overturn, the earth. Thus the refuge of lies was swept away, and the waters overflowed the hiding-place of those sinners (Isa 28:17), and in vain they fly to them for safety, Rev 6:16. Now the mountains departed, and the hills were removed, and nothing stood a man in stead but the covenant of peace, Isa 54:10. There is no place on earth so high as to set men out of the reach of God's judgments, Jer 49:16; Oba 1:3, Oba 1:4. God's hand will find out all his enemies, Psa 21:8. Observe how exactly they are fathomed (fifteen cubits), not by Noah's plummet, but by his knowledge who weighs the waters by measure, Job 28:25.
III.What became of Noah's ark when the waters thus increased:
It was lifted up above the earth (Gen 7:17), and went upon the face of the waters, Gen 7:18. When all other buildings were demolished by the waters, and buried under them, the ark alone subsisted. Observe,
1.The waters which broke down every thing else bore up the ark. That which to unbelievers is a savour of death unto death is to the faithful a savour of life unto life.
2.The more the waters increased the higher the ark was lifted up towards heaven. Thus sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions; and as troubles abound consolations much more abound.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
With the eye of my mind
I gazed upon paradise.
The summit of every mountain
is lower than its summit,
the crest of the flood
reached only its foothills,
these it kissed with reverence
before turning back
to rise above and subdue the peak
of every hill and mountain.
The foothills of paradise it kisses,
while every summit it buffets.
It is not without purpose that Scripture describes all this to us. Instead, its purpose is for us to learn that not only people, cattle, four-footed beasts and reptiles were drowned but also the birds of heaven and whatever inhabited the mountains, namely, animals and other wild creatures. Hence the text says, “The flood rose fifteen cubits above the mountains,” for you to learn that the execution of the Lord’s sentence had been effected. He said, remember, “After seven more days I will bring a deluge upon the earth and I will wipe off the face of the earth all the life I have made, from human beings to cattle, and from reptiles to birds of heaven.” So Scripture narrates this not simply to teach us the flood level but that we may be able to understand along with this that there was absolutely nothing left standing—no wild beasts, no animals, no cattle—rather, everything was annihilated along with the human race. Since it was for their sake that all these creatures had been created, with the imminent destruction of the human beings it was fitting that these creatures too should meet their end. Then, after teaching us the great height reached by the flood waters and the fact that they rose a further fifteen cubits above the mountain peaks, it further adds out of fidelity to its characteristic precision, “There perished all flesh that moved on the earth—birds, animals, every reptile that moved on the earth, every human being—everything that had breath of life, everything on dry land: all perished.” That was not an idle reference in the words “everything on dry land”; instead, its purpose was to teach us that while others perished, the just man with everyone in the ark alone was saved.
But let us see where this most sacred number of forty days had its beginning. We read first in the Old Testament that in the time of Noah, when criminal wickedness had seized the whole human race, torrents of water poured forth from the opened floodgates of heaven for just as many days. In a kind of mysterious image of Quadragesima, this inundation of the earth refers not so much to a flood as to baptism. This was clearly a baptism in which the wickedness of sinners was removed and Noah’s righteousness preserved. For this reason, then, the Lord has given us forty days now as well in imitation of that time, so that for this number of days, while the heavens are opened, a celestial rain of mercy might pour upon us and, with the flood, the water of the saving washing might enlighten us in baptism and—as was the case then—the wickedness of our sins might be quenched in us by the streams of water and the righteousness of our virtues preserved. For the very same thing is at issue with regard to Noah and in our own day: baptism is a flood to the sinner and a consecration to the faithful; by the Lord’s washing, righteousness is preserved and unrighteousness is destroyed.
Moreover, the ark was carried above the waters, and the waters prevailed exceedingly, and all the high mountains under the entire heaven were covered. They signify every proud mountain and those lifting themselves up in the glory of this world: the waters cover these mountains, but the ark is carried above them, because the torrent of temptations treads down and sinks the proud and the wicked, but it is overcome by the righteous, who, with a free course of good work and a keen mind, do not cease to strive toward the harbor of eternal salvation: which was well prefigured when Peter walked upon the water to the Lord, for evidently the Church, knocking down the waves of the world, was destined to reach the tranquility of heavenly life. Likewise, the waters of the flood lift the ark on high, covering and hiding the mountains, because the sacrament of baptism, by which the Church is exalted, despises the proud height of the world and shows it to be worthless; and because we are baptized in the hope of the future rest of souls and the resurrection of bodies unto eternal life, which carnal wisdom ignores, it is appropriately added:
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Summary
Genesis 7:19 powerfully depicts the zenith of the Great Flood, illustrating the overwhelming and universal scope of God's righteous judgment as the waters ascended to completely engulf even the highest elevations across the entire earth. This verse underscores the unparalleled magnitude of the divine act, leaving no part of the land untouched by the deluge.
Context
Literary Context
Genesis 7:19 is a climactic statement within the detailed narrative of the Great Flood, which spans from Genesis 6:5 through Genesis 9:17. Following God's declaration of judgment due to pervasive human wickedness (Genesis 6:5-7), Noah is commanded to build the ark and enter it with his family and the animals (Genesis 6:13-22). The flood itself commences with the breaking forth of the fountains of the great deep and the opening of the windows of heaven (Genesis 7:11), initiating a forty-day period of continuous rain. Verse 19, along with Genesis 7:20, marks the peak of the flood's intensity, emphasizing its comprehensive nature before the waters begin to recede (Genesis 8:1-3). It serves as a stark culmination of the judgment, leaving no doubt about the flood's devastating reach.
Historical & Cultural Context
The ancient Near East, where the Genesis narrative originated, was familiar with large-scale floods due to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. However, the biblical account of the Flood stands apart from other ancient flood myths (such as the Epic of Gilgamesh or the Atrahasis Epic) primarily in its monotheistic framework and moral purpose. Unlike pagan deities who send floods capriciously or out of annoyance, the God of Genesis acts with righteous indignation against profound human corruption and violence (Genesis 6:11-12). The description of the waters covering "all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven" uses hyperbolic language common in ancient literature to convey totality and universality, signifying that no known landmass or elevation could escape the judgment. This would have been understood by the original audience as a cataclysmic, earth-encompassing event, demonstrating God's absolute dominion over creation and His capacity to execute judgment on a global scale.
Key Themes
Genesis 7:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of God's Absolute Sovereignty over creation, demonstrating His power to both create and uncreate, to sustain and to judge. The verse also underscores the Severity of Sin and Its Consequences, revealing that human rebellion against God has cosmic implications, necessitating a comprehensive divine intervention. Furthermore, it highlights the theme of Divine Judgment, portraying God as a just judge who will not tolerate unbridled wickedness indefinitely. Even amidst this judgment, the narrative implicitly points to Divine Preservation through the ark, foreshadowing God's consistent provision of a means of salvation for those who obey Him, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the person and work of Christ. The flood, as a complete wiping away of the old order, also sets the stage for a New Beginning and a new covenant with Noah, mirroring God's redemptive pattern throughout salvation history (Genesis 9:8-17).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From a primitive root meaning "to be strong." By implication, it means "to prevail, act insolently, exceed, confirm, be great, be mighty, put to more (strength), strengthen, be stronger, be valiant." In Genesis 7:19, its use emphasizes the overwhelming, conquering power of the waters, indicating their complete dominion and mastery over the land. It's not merely that the waters rose, but that they asserted their strength and overcame all resistance.
Properly, "vehemence." It functions as an intensive or superlative adverb, meaning "vehemently, wholly, speedily," or "diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very." Its repetition in the KJV (derived from the Hebrew construction gabar mᵉʼôd mᵉʼôd) further amplifies the intensity, emphasizing the unparalleled and extreme nature of the waters' power and height. It conveys a sense of absolute and overwhelming force.
A primitive root meaning "to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, (flee to) hide, overwhelm." In this context, it signifies the complete inundation and submergence of the high hills, leaving no dry ground visible. It speaks to the totality of the flood's reach, hiding all topographical features beneath the water.
Verse Breakdown
"And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth"
This initial clause establishes the dynamic and overwhelming nature of the flood. The "waters" (H4325, mayim) are not static but active, asserting their dominance. The verb "prevailed" (H1396, gâbar) signifies a conquering force, while "exceedingly" (H3966, mᵉʼôd) intensifies this, conveying an unprecedented and irresistible power. This phrase emphasizes the divine agency behind the flood, as the waters are instruments of God's judgment, demonstrating His absolute control over creation.
"and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered"
This second clause specifies the extent and completeness of the inundation. "All the high hills" (H1364, gâbôahh H2022, har) indicates that no elevation, however great, could escape the rising waters. The phrase "under the whole heaven" (H8478, tachath H8064, shâmayim) is a powerful biblical idiom denoting universal scope, signifying that the flood covered all landmasses known to the ancient world, leaving no dry ground. The verb "were covered" (H3680, kâçâh) confirms the complete submergence, leaving the earth entirely hidden beneath the water.
Literary Devices
Genesis 7:19 employs several literary devices to convey the magnitude and theological significance of the Flood. Hyperbole is evident in the description of "all the high hills... under the whole heaven" being covered, emphasizing the universal and comprehensive nature of the judgment beyond literal measurement. This is reinforced by Intensification through the repeated use of "exceedingly" (Hebrew mᵉʼôd mᵉʼôd), which stresses the overwhelming power and unprecedented height of the waters. The phrase "under the whole heaven" functions as a Merism, representing the entire world by referencing its highest and lowest points, thus underscoring the flood's global reach. The vivid language creates striking Imagery, allowing the reader to visualize the earth completely submerged, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment and the complete wiping away of the wicked world.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 7:19 serves as a profound theological statement, revealing the awesome power and unwavering justice of God. The overwhelming nature of the flood, capable of covering "all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven," unequivocally demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation. This is not a force of nature gone awry, but a divinely orchestrated judgment against the pervasive wickedness and violence that had corrupted the earth (Genesis 6:11-12). The verse underscores the severity of sin and the certainty of divine retribution, illustrating that God is holy and will not tolerate unrighteousness indefinitely. Yet, even in this act of judgment, there is an implicit testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant with Noah, providing a means of salvation amidst the destruction, thus foreshadowing the broader biblical theme of salvation through judgment.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 7:19 stands as a stark and powerful reminder of God's immense power and His unwavering commitment to justice. It compels us to reflect on the seriousness of sin and its inevitable consequences, demonstrating that God takes human rebellion profoundly seriously. Just as the ancient world faced a comprehensive judgment for its wickedness, so too does humanity today stand accountable before a holy God. This verse calls us to a deep humility, acknowledging our creaturely status before the Creator of all things, whose power knows no bounds. Furthermore, it implicitly points to the critical importance of heeding God's warnings and seeking the refuge He provides. For Noah, it was the ark; for us, it is the salvation offered through Christ. The Flood narrative, culminating in this verse, therefore serves not only as a historical account but as a timeless spiritual warning and an enduring call to repentance and faith, reminding us that God's mercy is always available to those who turn to Him, even amidst the certainty of His righteous judgment.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered" imply a global flood?
Yes, the language used in Genesis 7:19, particularly "all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven," strongly indicates a global or universal flood. The phrase "under the whole heaven" (Hebrew: tachath kol ha'shamayim) is a common biblical idiom for comprehensive scope, used elsewhere in Scripture to denote the entire earth or all of humanity (e.g., Deuteronomy 2:25, Job 28:24, Daniel 9:12). The text emphasizes that no landmass, regardless of its elevation, remained uncovered, suggesting a complete inundation of the then-known world. The theological implication is that God's judgment was comprehensive, reaching every corner of the earth polluted by human wickedness, leaving no place of refuge outside the ark.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Genesis 7:19, with its depiction of the floodwaters prevailing "exceedingly upon the earth" and covering "all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven," powerfully foreshadows Christ and His redemptive work. The ark, which alone provided salvation from this universal judgment, serves as a profound type of Christ, our ultimate refuge. Just as Noah and his family were preserved through the waters of judgment by being in the ark, so believers are saved from the judgment of sin through faith in Christ, who is our secure dwelling place (1 Peter 3:20-21). The flood, as a divine act of judgment that cleansed the earth and inaugurated a new beginning, points to Christ's bearing the full judgment for humanity's sin on the cross, thereby making possible a new creation and a new covenant (2 Corinthians 5:17). The overwhelming power of God displayed in the flood ultimately points to the infinitely greater power of Christ to overcome sin, death, and the grave, establishing a spiritual kingdom that will never be destroyed and ushering in a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Thus, the terrifying judgment of the Flood ultimately magnifies the glorious salvation found only in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).