Genesis 7:20

KJV

Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.

KJV (with Strong's)

Fifteen {H6240}{H2568} cubits {H520} upward {H4605} did the waters {H4325} prevail {H1396}; and the mountains {H2022} were covered {H3680}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the water covered the mountains by more than twenty-two-and-a-half feet.

Berean Standard Bible

The waters rose and covered the mountaintops to a depth of fifteen cubits.

American Standard Version

Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 7:20 marks the dramatic zenith of the Great Flood, precisely detailing the overwhelming extent of the waters. It states that the deluge rose "fifteen cubits upward" above the highest elevations, completely submerging "the mountains." This verse powerfully conveys the unparalleled, universal scope of God's righteous judgment upon a world steeped in wickedness, unequivocally demonstrating His absolute power and the comprehensive nature of the cataclysm that left no dry land outside the ark.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 7:20 is strategically positioned at the climax of the flood narrative, following the initial outpouring of the "fountains of the great deep" and the "windows of heaven" described in [Genesis 7:11-12](/genesis/7-11-12 "The Flood Begins"). Prior to this, Noah and his family, along with all designated animals, had entered the ark, sealing their fate with God's divine protection ([Genesis 7:1-9](/genesis/7-1-9 "Noah Enters the Ark")). The preceding verses detail the rising waters and the perishing of all life outside the ark ([Genesis 7:17-19](/genesis/7-17-19 "The Waters Prevail")), setting the stage for verse 20 to declare the absolute peak and comprehensive coverage of the floodwaters. This verse serves as the definitive statement of the flood's global reach, emphasizing the totality of God's judgment before the narrative shifts to the gradual recession of the waters in [Genesis 8](/genesis/8 "The Waters Recede").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near Eastern world, from which Genesis originates, frequently depicted catastrophic floods in its mythologies (e.g., the Epic of Gilgamesh, Atrahasis). However, the biblical account of the Flood, culminating in verses like [Genesis 7:20](/genesis/7-20 "Genesis 7:20 - The Waters Prevail Over the Mountains"), stands apart by grounding the event in God's moral judgment and His covenant faithfulness. While other cultures might attribute floods to capricious deities or natural cycles, the Genesis narrative explicitly links the deluge to humanity's pervasive wickedness and God's sorrowful yet just response ([Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's Grief and Decision to Flood the Earth")). The measurement of "cubits" was a standard ancient unit, typically the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm), making the "fifteen cubits" a concrete and understandable measure of the waters' immense depth to the original audience. The concept of "mountains" being covered would have conveyed an unimaginable scale, as mountains were often seen as symbols of stability and permanence.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 7:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, showcasing God's absolute control over creation and His ability to use natural forces as instruments of His will, whether for judgment or salvation. It underscores God's **Justice and Holiness**, demonstrating that He is a God who cannot tolerate unrepentant sin indefinitely, as the earth had become utterly corrupt before Him ([Genesis 6:11-12](/genesis/6-11-12 "The Corruption of the Earth")). The verse also solidifies the theme of the **Universality of Judgment**, clearly stating that no landmass, however high, escaped the deluge, thus emphasizing that all humanity outside the ark was subject to God's wrath. Conversely, it implicitly highlights the theme of **Salvation by Grace through Faith**, as Noah and his family, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord ([Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Noah Found Grace")), were preserved through the very means of judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prevailed (Hebrew, _gâbar'_):** From H1396, this root means "to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently; exceed, confirm, be great, be mighty, prevail, put to more (strength), strengthen, be stronger, be valiant." In [Genesis 7:20](/genesis/7-20 "Genesis 7:20 - The Waters Prevail Over the Mountains"), "prevailed" indicates not merely that the waters rose, but that they exerted an overwhelming, irresistible dominance and strength over the entire landscape. It conveys an active, conquering force, signifying the complete and utter victory of the floodwaters over all terrestrial obstacles.
* **Mountains (Hebrew, _har'_):** From H2022, a shortened form of הָרָר, meaning "a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion." The use of "mountains" here is crucial for conveying the global scale of the flood. These are not mere hills but the highest geographical features, and their complete submersion leaves no doubt about the universal reach of the waters. It emphasizes that no natural high ground offered refuge from God's judgment.
* **Covered (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** From H3680, a primitive root meaning "properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm." The word "covered" here implies a complete and total obscuring. The mountains were not merely touched by the water; they were entirely enveloped and hidden from view, underscoring the absolute depth and pervasive nature of the deluge. This verb reinforces the idea of total submersion and the obliteration of the previous landscape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail":** This clause provides a precise, quantitative measure of the flood's height relative to the highest points of land. A cubit, an ancient unit of measurement, was approximately 18-21 inches. Thus, "fifteen cubits" translates to roughly 22-26 feet (6.8-8 meters). The phrase "upward did the waters prevail" (from H4605, _maʻal_, meaning "above, exceeding") signifies that the waters not only reached the highest mountain peaks but rose a significant margin *above* them. This detail emphasizes the overwhelming power and depth of the deluge, leaving no doubt that nothing on land could survive by seeking higher ground. It speaks to the intentionality and completeness of God's judgment.
* **"and the mountains were covered":** This second clause unequivocally declares the universal scope of the flood. The "mountains" (H2022, _har_), representing the highest landmasses, being "covered" (H3680, _kâçâh_) means they were completely submerged and hidden from view. This statement refutes any notion of a localized flood, as it explicitly states that the highest points of the earth were overwhelmed. The covering of the mountains signifies that all terrestrial life, save for those preserved in the ark, was extinguished, powerfully conveying the global nature of the deluge and the completeness of God's judgment against the pervasive corruption that had filled the earth.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 7:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the magnitude and theological significance of the Flood. The use of **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of the waters rising "fifteen cubits upward" above the mountains, emphasizing an unimaginable, overwhelming scale that transcends ordinary natural events. While technically a measurement, its application to the highest peaks creates an effect of vastness beyond human comprehension. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid mental picture of a world entirely submerged, with even the tallest mountains disappearing beneath the waves. This evokes a sense of desolation and the absolute power of the divine judgment. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the overarching **Symbolism** of water throughout the biblical narrative, where it often represents both judgment and cleansing, destruction and new beginnings. Here, the water is primarily an instrument of divine judgment, but its very act of cleansing the earth also sets the stage for a new creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 7:20 is a profound theological statement, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. The overwhelming power and precise execution of the flood demonstrate that God is not a distant, passive deity but an active, omnipotent ruler who intervenes in human history to uphold His righteous standards. This catastrophic event serves as a stark reminder that sin has dire consequences and that God's holiness demands a response to pervasive wickedness. However, even in judgment, God's grace is evident in His provision of the ark as a means of salvation for Noah and his family, foreshadowing His ultimate plan for redemption.

* [Psalm 29:10](/psalm/29-10 "The Lord sits enthroned over the flood")
* [2 Peter 3:5-7](/2_peter/3-5-7 "The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished")
* [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 7:20 stands as a powerful and sobering reminder of God's absolute authority, His unwavering commitment to justice, and the profound consequences of human sin. For believers, this account underscores the gravity of sin and the paramount importance of living a life of righteousness and obedience, exemplified by Noah's faithful response to God's commands. It highlights that God is not indifferent to the moral state of His creation and that His patience, while vast, is not infinite. This narrative also serves as a profound testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, both in executing judgment against sin and in providing a way of salvation for those who trust Him. Just as the ark was the sole refuge from the all-encompassing flood, this account points to the singular provision for salvation that God has made available to all humanity, urging us to consider where our ultimate hope and security lie.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universality of the flood in Genesis 7:20 shape your understanding of God's justice and holiness?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge or affirm your perspective on the consequences of sin in the world today?**
* **Considering the ark as the sole means of salvation, what does this narrative teach us about God's provision for salvation in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Does Genesis 7:20 confirm a global flood?**

Answer: Yes, the language used in [Genesis 7:20](/genesis/7-20 "Genesis 7:20 - The Waters Prevail Over the Mountains") strongly indicates a universal, global flood. The statement that "the mountains were covered" and that the water rose "fifteen cubits upward" above them leaves no room for a localized deluge. Mountains are the highest geographical features, and their complete submersion implies that no dry ground remained anywhere on earth, signifying a truly global event.

**What is the significance of the "fifteen cubits"?**

Answer: The "fifteen cubits" (approximately 22-26 feet or 6.8-8 meters) represents the depth of the water *above* the highest mountains. This precise measurement, coupled with the word "prevailed" (H1396, _gâbar_), emphasizes the totality and overwhelming nature of the flood. It signifies that the waters not only covered all land but did so with a significant margin, ensuring that nothing could survive outside the ark and underscoring God's absolute control and intentionality in orchestrating the event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 7:20, depicting the complete judgment of a wicked world by an overwhelming flood, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive counterpoint in Jesus Christ. Just as Noah's ark was the singular vessel of salvation from the flood's destructive power, Christ is presented as the exclusive means of salvation from the judgment for sin that awaits all humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son")). The flood cleansed the earth, preparing it for a new beginning through Noah and his family; similarly, Christ's atoning work on the cross cleanses believers from sin, making them new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature")), and securing their eternal future in a new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and there will be no more curse ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "New Heaven and New Earth")). The waters of the flood brought death to the unrighteous, but Christ's sacrifice brings life to those who believe, offering an eternal refuge far greater than any ark ([Hebrews 9:27-28](/hebrews/9-27-28 "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment")).

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

Jeremiah 3:23

Truly in vain [is salvation hoped for] from the hills, [and from] the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God [is] the salvation of Israel.

Psalms 104:6

Thou coveredst it with the deep as [with] a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.