Genesis 7:19

KJV

And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the waters {H4325} prevailed {H1396} exceedingly {H3966}{H3966} upon the earth {H776}; and all the high {H1364} hills {H2022}, that were under {H8478} the whole heaven {H8064}, were covered {H3680}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The water overpowered the earth mightily; all the high mountains under the entire sky were covered;

Berean Standard Bible

Finally, the waters completely inundated the earth, so that all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered.

American Standard Version

And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 7:19 vividly describes the apex of the Great Flood, emphasizing the overwhelming power and universal reach of God's judgment as the waters completely submerged all the highest elevations on earth.

### CONTEXT
This verse is a pivotal moment within the extensive narrative detailing the [Great Flood sent by God](/genesis/6-17 "God's Decision to Bring the Flood") to cleanse the earth of its pervasive wickedness. Following the breaking forth of the [fountains of the great deep and the windows of heaven](/genesis/7-11 "Breaking Forth of the Fountains of the Deep and Windows of Heaven") (Genesis 7:11), the waters steadily rose. Verse 19 marks the culmination of this inundation, signifying that no part of the land remained visible, underscoring the completeness of the divine judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 7:19 presents a powerful image of the flood's culmination, stating, "And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered." The KJV phrase "prevailed exceedingly" translates the Hebrew *gabar me'od* (גבר מאד), which literally means "to be mighty, strong, or overcome, very much." This intensifier underscores the extraordinary and overwhelming power of the rising waters, indicating an unprecedented level of inundation. Furthermore, the phrase "under the whole heaven" (Hebrew: *tahat kol ha'shamayim*, תחת כל השמים) is a common biblical idiom used to denote a comprehensive or universal scope, reinforcing the idea that the flood covered all landmasses known to the ancient world, leaving no dry ground.

* **The Overwhelming Power of the Waters:** The declaration that the waters "prevailed exceedingly" highlights the immense, unstoppable force unleashed by God. This is not merely a heavy rain or local inundation, but a cataclysmic event demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His capacity to execute judgment with unparalleled might. The verb "prevailed" (גבר) suggests a conquering or overcoming force, indicating the waters' complete dominion over the land.
* **The Universality of the Inundation:** The statement "all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered" conveys the flood's global nature. This signifies that no elevation, however great, could escape the rising waters. The comprehensive language ("all," "whole heaven") strongly supports the interpretation of a widespread judgment covering the entire known world of that time, leaving no refuge outside the [ark](/genesis/7-1 "God's Command to Noah to Enter the Ark").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Justice:** This verse powerfully illustrates God's supreme authority over creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. The flood is a direct manifestation of His righteous judgment against pervasive human wickedness, demonstrating that sin has severe consequences and does not go unpunished.
* **The Severity of Sin and Judgment:** The overwhelming nature of the flood serves as a dramatic testament to the seriousness of human sin and the inevitable consequences of rebellion against a holy God. It underscores the depth of humanity's corruption that necessitated such a comprehensive divine intervention.
* **Divine Preservation Amidst Destruction:** Even amidst this overwhelming destruction, the narrative implicitly points to God's faithful preservation of Noah and his family within the ark. This highlights God's mercy and grace, which operate alongside His judgment, providing a means of salvation for those who obey His commands.
* **A Precedent for Future Judgment:** The flood narrative, culminating in verses like Genesis 7:19, establishes a pattern of divine judgment that is echoed throughout Scripture. It serves as a solemn warning about the certainty of future judgment, a theme picked up in the New Testament concerning [Christ's return and final judgment](/matthew/24-37 "The Days of Noah as a Sign of Christ's Coming").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 7:19 profoundly reminds believers of God's absolute sovereignty and immense power over all creation. It serves as a solemn warning about the dire consequences of sin and the certainty of divine judgment, urging humanity to take God's warnings seriously. Just as Noah found refuge in the ark by heeding God's command, so too are we called to seek salvation in God's provided means. This verse also implicitly highlights God's faithfulness, as He later establishes a covenant promising [He will never again destroy the earth by a flood](/genesis/9-11 "God's Covenant to Never Again Destroy All Life with a Flood"), demonstrating His enduring mercy alongside His justice.

### FAQ
**Does "all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered" imply a global flood?**

Answer: 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" (*tahat 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.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 7:19, depicting the complete triumph of the floodwaters over the earth, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The ark, which alone provided salvation from this universal judgment, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Just as Noah and his family were preserved through the ark amidst the destruction, so too are believers saved from the judgment of sin through faith in Christ, who is our ultimate refuge and means of salvation (1 Peter 3:20-21). Furthermore, the flood, a judgment on sin that led to a new beginning, foreshadows Christ's work in bearing the judgment for humanity's sin on the cross, 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 greater power of Christ to overcome sin and death, establishing a kingdom that will never be destroyed.

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.