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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 7:5–10.
Here is Noah's ready obedience to the commands that God gave him. Observe, 1. He went into the ark, upon notice that the flood would come after seven days, though probably as yet there appeared no visible sign of its approach, no cloud arising that threatened it, nothing done towards it, but all continued serene and clear; for, as he prepared the ark by faith in the warning given that the flood would come, so he went into it by faith in this warning that it would come quickly, though he did not see that the second causes had yet begun to work. In every step he took, he walked by faith, and not by sense. During these seven days, it is likely, he was settling himself and his family in the ark, and distributing the creatures into their several apartments. This was the conclusion of that visible sermon which he had long been preaching to his careless neighbours, and which, one would think, might have awakened them; but, not obtaining that desired end, it left their blood upon their own heads. 2. He took all his family along with him, his wife, to be his companion and comfort (though it should seem that, after this, he had no children by her), his sons, and his sons' wives, that by them not only his family, but the world of mankind, might be built up. Observe, Though men were to be reduced to so small a number, and it would be very desirable to have the world speedily repeopled, yet Noah's sons were each of them to have but one wife, which strengthens the argument against having many wives; for from the beginning of this new world it was not so: as, at first, God made, so now he kept alive, but one woman for one man. See Mat 19:4, Mat 19:8. 3. The brute creatures readily went in with him. The same hand that at first brought them to Adam to be named now brought them to Noah to be preserved. The ox now knew his owner, and the ass his protector's crib, nay, even the wildest creatures flocked to it; but man had become more brutish than the brutes themselves, and did not know, did not consider, Isa 1:3.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 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.
During the actual exorcism, while waiting for the others, let men be with men and women with women. For now I need Noah’s ark that I may have Noah and his sons together, separate from his wife and his sons’ wives. For although the ark was one and the door was closed, yet decorum was observed. So now, though the church doors are barred and you are all inside, let distinctions be kept: men with men, women with women. Let not the principle of salvation be made a pretext for spiritual license. Keeping close together is a good rule, provided that passion is kept at a distance.
Was not Noah a holy man, who alone in the whole human race together with his whole house deserved to be delivered from the flood? And is not the church prefigured by Noah and his sons? They escape the flood, with wood (which symbolizes the cross) carrying them.
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Summary
Genesis 7:7 records the pivotal moment when Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives entered the ark, fulfilling God's explicit command. This act of obedience marked the final preparation before the onset of the global flood, signifying God's sovereign provision for salvation and preservation amidst the impending divine judgment upon a corrupted world.
Context
Literary Context
Genesis 7:7 serves as the climactic fulfillment of God's detailed instructions given to Noah in Genesis 6:13-22 and reiterated in Genesis 7:1-5. The preceding verses describe Noah's meticulous adherence to every command, including gathering the animals and provisions. This verse marks the ultimate act of obedience—the sealing of the ark's inhabitants—just seven days after God's final warning, as stated in Genesis 7:4. It transitions the narrative from preparation to the commencement of the cataclysmic event, setting the stage for the deluge itself.
Historical & Cultural Context
The account of the global flood in Genesis stands unique among ancient Near Eastern flood narratives due to its monotheistic framework and moral emphasis. Unlike polytheistic myths where floods often result from capricious gods, the biblical flood is presented as a righteous, divine judgment against pervasive human wickedness and violence (Genesis 6:5-7). In the pre-flood world, human lifespans were exceptionally long, and the earth's conditions were likely different, perhaps without rain as we know it (Genesis 2:5-6). Noah's construction of an enormous vessel on dry land, in anticipation of a global flood, would have been an unprecedented and seemingly irrational undertaking, underscoring the extraordinary nature of his faith and the unique historical context of God's direct intervention.
Key Themes
Genesis 7:7 encapsulates several profound themes central to the broader narrative of the flood and the book of Genesis. First, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Obedience and Faith, as Noah's actions directly reflect his unwavering trust in God's word, even when it defied human logic (Hebrews 11:7). Second, it highlights Divine Judgment and Salvation, presenting the ark as God's singular provision for rescue from the righteous judgment against sin. Third, the inclusion of Noah's entire family underscores the theme of God's Grace and Preservation for Households, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan often extends to family units through the faith of a key individual. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of God's Sovereignty and Providence, as the timing and execution of the entry into the ark are precisely orchestrated by divine command.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This name, derived from the root meaning "rest" or "comfort," is highly significant. In Genesis 5:29, Lamech names his son Noah, prophesying that he would bring "rest from our work and from the toil of our hands caused by the ground that the Lord has cursed." Noah's obedience in entering the ark ultimately leads to the preservation of humanity and a new beginning, bringing a form of "rest" from the previous era of pervasive corruption and judgment. His name thus foreshadows his role as the one through whom humanity would find reprieve and a new covenant with God.
This unique Hebrew term appears only in reference to Noah's ark and the basket in which the infant Moses was placed (Exodus 2:3). Unlike common words for ships, têbâh signifies a divinely appointed vessel of preservation or rescue from impending judgment or danger. Its distinctiveness emphasizes that it was not a mere boat but a specially constructed, God-ordained sanctuary, highlighting its divine purpose and design as the sole means of salvation in the face of the deluge.
This specific term refers exclusively to the great deluge of Noah's time, underscoring its unparalleled and catastrophic nature as a unique act of divine judgment upon the earth. It is not used for ordinary floods or inundations. The use of mabbûwl emphasizes the global, unprecedented, and divinely orchestrated scale of this event, distinguishing it as a singular, epoch-ending act of God's righteous wrath against human sin.
Verse Breakdown
"And Noah went in,"
This opening phrase immediately establishes Noah's decisive and obedient action. It signifies his complete submission to God's command, demonstrating a faith that translates into immediate and full compliance. This act is the culmination of years of diligent preparation, highlighting the importance of active faith in response to divine revelation.
"and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him,"
This detailed enumeration emphasizes the inclusion of Noah's entire immediate family—eight souls in total (1 Peter 3:20). This highlights God's grace extending beyond Noah himself to his household, demonstrating a biblical pattern where the faith and obedience of a patriarch can bring salvation and preservation to their entire family unit. It also underscores the completeness of the family's entry, leaving no one behind.
"into the ark,"
This phrase identifies the ark as the divinely appointed place of refuge and salvation. It was the only secure haven from the impending destruction, a testament to God's meticulous planning and His faithfulness to preserve those who trust and obey Him. The ark represents God's provision, a sanctuary designed by divine blueprint, not human ingenuity.
"because of the waters of the flood."
This concluding clause explicitly states the reason for their entry: the imminent and overwhelming divine judgment. The "waters of the flood" were a direct and righteous consequence of humanity's pervasive sin and corruption, as detailed in Genesis 6:11-13. The ark, therefore, served as a demarcation between judgment and salvation, a place of safety from the wrath to come.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Narrative Progression is evident in the direct, concise statement of action, moving the story forward from preparation to the decisive moment of entry. Symbolism is powerfully present in the ark itself, which functions as a symbol of divine refuge, salvation, and God's exclusive provision for safety amidst judgment. The verse also utilizes Contrast by implicitly juxtaposing the safety and life within the ark against the impending destruction and death outside it. Finally, the detailed listing of "his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives" serves as a form of Emphasis, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the family's inclusion and the completeness of Noah's obedience in bringing his entire household into the divinely appointed sanctuary.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 7:7 stands as a profound testament to God's justice and grace, illustrating that divine judgment on sin is certain, yet God always provides a way of salvation for those who respond in faith and obedience. Noah's act of entering the ark, a seemingly absurd endeavor to the world, exemplifies true faith that acts upon God's word, serving as a model for all who would seek refuge in God's provision. This verse underscores God's meticulous providence, His ability to preserve a remnant, and His desire to extend salvation to entire households.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 7:7 serves as a powerful call to examine our own response to God's warnings and provisions. Just as Noah and his family physically entered the ark to be saved from a literal flood, believers today are called to enter into God's spiritual provision for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ to be saved from eternal judgment. This verse challenges us to consider the nature of our obedience: is it partial or complete? Is it based on human reason or divine revelation? The urgency of Noah's entry, "because of the waters of the flood," reminds us that there is a definitive moment when God's patience gives way to judgment, and the door to salvation is closed. It compels us to ask if we are truly "in the ark" of God's salvation, secured in Christ, or if we are still lingering outside, exposed to the coming spiritual deluge. Our faith, like Noah's, must be active, decisive, and fully trusting in God's promised refuge.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Noah's entire family enter the ark with him?
The inclusion of Noah's "sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives" highlights God's grace extending to Noah's immediate household, likely due to Noah's singular righteousness and obedience. This demonstrates a significant biblical principle where the faith and obedience of a patriarch can bring salvation and preservation to their entire family unit, emphasizing God's desire to save not just individuals but also their households (Acts 16:31). It underscores the corporate dimension of God's redemptive plan.
What is the significance of the unique Hebrew word for 'ark' (tevah)?
The Hebrew word tevah (תֵּבָה) is distinct from common words for ships and is used only for Noah's ark and Moses' basket (Exodus 2:3). Its uniqueness emphasizes that these vessels were not ordinary conveyances but divinely appointed instruments of preservation and rescue from impending judgment or death. This linguistic specificity highlights God's direct intervention and specific purpose for them, marking them as unique sanctuaries of life in the face of overwhelming danger.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Genesis 7:7, with Noah's obedient entry into the ark, powerfully prefigures the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ. Just as the ark was God's sole means of preservation from the waters of judgment, Christ is God's singular provision for salvation from the judgment of sin and death (John 14:6). Noah's decisive step of faith into the ark mirrors the believer's step of faith into Christ, who is our ultimate refuge and ark of safety. The waters of the flood, which brought judgment to the world but salvation to those in the ark, find their spiritual parallel in baptism, which, as 1 Peter 3:20-21 explains, now saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, signifying our union with Him in His death, burial, and new life. In Christ, we are sealed from the coming wrath (Romans 5:9), just as Noah and his family were sealed in the ark, secure in God's covenant faithfulness and provision. He is the door through whom we must enter to find eternal life (John 10:9).