Genesis 7:24

And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

And the waters {H4325} prevailed {H1396} upon the earth {H776} an hundred {H3967} and fifty {H2572} days {H3117}.

The water held power over the earth for 150 days.

And the waters prevailed upon the earth for 150 days.

And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days.

Commentary

Context

Genesis 7:24 marks a pivotal point in the biblical account of the Great Flood. Following the initial forty days and nights of rain and the breaking up of the fountains of the great deep (Genesis 7:11-12), the waters had risen to cover the highest mountains, destroying all life on earth outside of Noah's ark (Genesis 7:21-23). This verse specifies the duration during which the waters remained at their peak, dominating the earth before beginning to recede.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereign Control: The precise duration of "an hundred and fifty days" highlights God's absolute control over creation, even in its most destructive phases. The flood was not a random natural disaster but a divinely orchestrated event of judgment.
  • The Severity of Judgment: This extended period underscores the overwhelming power and persistence of the judgment upon a corrupt world (Genesis 6:5-7). The waters "prevailed," meaning they were strong and dominant, leaving no part of the earth uncovered.
  • Divine Timing and Purpose: The specific timeframe indicates a deliberate, measured act by God. This period allowed for the complete destruction of the old world and set the stage for a new beginning with Noah and his family.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "prevailed" comes from the Hebrew verb gābar (Χ’Χ‘Χ¨), which conveys a sense of strength, mastery, or being mighty and superior. It emphasizes that the waters were not merely present but held an overwhelming and conquering power over the entire earth. This highlights the complete and total nature of the flood's devastation, ensuring that the divine judgment was fully executed.

Significance and Application

Genesis 7:24 serves as a stark reminder of God's justice and His power to execute His will. For the ancient reader, it affirmed the truth of the flood narrative as a historical event of immense scale. For us today, it reinforces several timeless truths:

  • God's Righteous Judgment: The flood demonstrates that God does not tolerate unbridled wickedness indefinitely. While He is patient, there comes a point of reckoning. This serves as a warning and a call to repentance.
  • God's Faithfulness Amidst Judgment: Even in judgment, God remembers His covenant and preserves a remnant. The end of this 150-day period marks the transition to God's remembrance of Noah and His plan for renewal (Genesis 8:1).
  • The Certainty of God's Word: Just as God precisely carried out His judgment, His promises for salvation and a new beginning are equally sure. This event foreshadows future divine interventions and the ultimate judgment and renewal to come.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 8:3

    And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.

  • Genesis 8:4

    ΒΆ And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
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