Genesis 7:6

And Noah [was] six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

And Noah {H5146} was six {H8337} hundred {H3967} years {H8141} old {H1121} when the flood {H3999} of waters {H4325} was upon the earth {H776}.

Noach was 600 years old when the water flooded the earth.

Now Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters came upon the earth.

And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

Commentary

Genesis 7:6 marks a precise moment in the biblical account of the Great Flood, stating Noah's age at the onset of this global cataclysm. This verse underscores the culmination of years of preparation and divine patience, leading to a pivotal event in human history.

Context

This verse immediately follows God's command for Noah to enter the ark with his family and the animals, bringing to fruition a prophecy and a divine plan that had been unfolding for decades. Prior to this, the earth was described as filled with violence and corruption (Genesis 6:11). God, grieved by humanity's wickedness, determined to cleanse the earth, but found favor in Noah, who was a righteous man (Genesis 6:8). For what was likely over a century, Noah had diligently built the ark as instructed, a testament to his faith and obedience.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing and Judgment: The verse highlights the precise timing of God's judgment. The flood did not come arbitrarily but at a specific, divinely appointed moment, after a long period of grace and warning. This emphasizes God's sovereignty over history and His actions.
  • Noah's Obedience and Faithfulness: Noah's age of 600 years when the flood began points to his enduring faithfulness. He spent a significant portion of his life building the ark, enduring potential ridicule and doubt, demonstrating unwavering trust in God's word (Hebrews 11:7).
  • The Severity of God's Holiness: The flood serves as a stark reminder of the consequence of sin and God's absolute holiness, which cannot tolerate unrighteousness indefinitely. It illustrates that disobedience has severe repercussions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the flood of waters" uses the Hebrew term mabbul mayim (ΧžΦ·Χ‘ΦΌΧ•ΦΌΧœ ΧžΦ·Χ™Φ΄Χ). The word mabbul is specifically used in the Bible to describe the Great Flood, distinguishing it from ordinary floods or large bodies of water. It implies a unique, overwhelming, and catastrophic deluge, divinely orchestrated, rather than a natural phenomenon.

Significance and Application

Genesis 7:6 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths. Firstly, it underscores the importance of heeding God's warnings and preparing for future events, whether personal or global. Just as Noah prepared for a literal flood, believers today are called to be prepared for spiritual realities and the Lord's return. Secondly, it exemplifies the fruit of sustained obedience and faith; Noah's long-term commitment to God's command ultimately resulted in salvation for his family and the preservation of life on earth.

This verse, though concise, sets the stage for a profound narrative of divine judgment and salvation, offering a lesson in God's justice, patience, and the critical importance of living a life of faith and obedience, even when the fulfillment of God's promises seems distant.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 5:32

    And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

  • Genesis 8:13

    ΒΆ And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first [month], the first [day] of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
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