Genesis 8:14

And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.

And in the second {H8145} month {H2320}, on the seven {H7651} and twentieth {H6242} day {H3117} of the month {H2320}, was the earth {H776} dried {H3001}.

It was on the twenty-seventh day of the second month that the earth was dry.

By the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the earth was fully dry.

And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dry.

Commentary

Genesis 8:14 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical account of Noah's Ark and the Great Flood. After more than a year aboard the ark, this verse records the precise date when the earth was finally dry enough to support life outside the vessel.

Context

This verse follows the intense period of the Great Flood, during which the entire earth was submerged. Noah had already sent out a raven and then a dove multiple times to gauge the receding waters. The return of the dove with an olive leaf (Genesis 8:11) was the first clear sign of emerging land. Genesis 8:14 provides the definitive timestamp for the completion of the drying process, setting the stage for Noah and his family to disembark and begin life anew (Genesis 8:15-19). The chronology given throughout chapters 7 and 8 emphasizes the historical and precise nature of this divine judgment and restoration.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing and Providence: The meticulous record of dates throughout the flood narrative, culminating in this verse, highlights God's absolute control and precise timing. The drying of the earth was not a random occurrence but part of God's perfect plan to restore the world and preserve humanity.
  • Completion and New Beginnings: Genesis 8:14 signals the end of a devastating period of judgment and the beginning of a fresh start for creation. It marks the culmination of the flood and the transition to a habitable world, ready for a new era for humanity and all living creatures.
  • God's Faithfulness: Despite the severity of the judgment, God remained faithful to His promise to preserve Noah and his family. The drying of the earth is a tangible demonstration of His commitment to life and His covenant with creation, paving the way for the rainbow covenant in the next chapter.

Linguistic Insights

The detailed chronological notation ("second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month") is characteristic of biblical historical accounts. This precision lends weight to the narrative, presenting it not as myth but as a significant event in the early history of the world. The Hebrew phrase for "was the earth dried" (ื•ึทืชึผึดื‘ึทืฉื ื”ึธืึธืจึถืฅ, vat-tivash ha'aretz) simply conveys that the land had become dry, capable of sustaining life and travel again.

Practical Application

Genesis 8:14 offers several timeless lessons. It reminds us of God's patience and perfect timing; just as Noah waited patiently for the earth to dry, we are often called to trust God's timing in our own lives, even during prolonged periods of difficulty or uncertainty. This verse also speaks to the hope of new beginnings after trials. No matter how devastating a "flood" may seem in our lives, God faithfully brings about a "dry land," a new opportunity, and a fresh start according to His sovereign plan. It encourages perseverance and faith, knowing that God will complete what He has begun.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 7:13 (2 votes)

    ยถ In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

  • Genesis 7:14 (2 votes)

    They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

  • Genesis 7:11 (1 votes)

    ยถ In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.