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Genesis 8:4

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

And the ark {H8392} rested {H5117} in the seventh {H7637} month {H2320}, on the seventeenth {H6240}{H7651} day {H3117} of the month {H2320}, upon the mountains {H2022} of Ararat {H780}.

On the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.

On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.

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

Commentary

Context of Genesis 8:4

Genesis 8:4 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical account of the great flood. Following 150 days during which the floodwaters prevailed upon the earth (Genesis 7:24), this verse signifies the beginning of their recession. Noah, his family, and all the animals had been shut inside the ark for many months, experiencing the global cataclysm. The ark's resting place on the "mountains of Ararat" indicates the specific geographical region where God sovereignly guided this vessel of salvation. This event precedes the full drying of the earth and the subsequent emergence of life from the ark, setting the stage for a new beginning for humanity and creation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Guidance: The ark's precise landing in the "mountains of Ararat" is a testament to God's meticulous care and guidance. Despite the chaos of the flood, God was actively directing the ark to its safe haven, demonstrating His control over all circumstances.
  • God's Timing: The specific mention of "the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month" highlights the precision of God's timing. Just as the flood began on a specific day (Genesis 7:11), so too did the ark's resting, emphasizing that every phase of God's plan unfolds according to His perfect schedule.
  • Rest and New Beginnings: The resting of the ark signals the cessation of the destructive phase of the flood. It brings a sense of relief and marks the transition from judgment to a period of renewal, foreshadowing the new covenant and commands given to Noah.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rested" in this verse is nuakh (נוּחַ). This term means to settle down, to be quiet, or to find a resting place. It is deeply significant as it connects directly to the name of Noah (Noakh - נֹחַ), which means "rest" or "comfort." As recorded in Genesis 5:29, Noah was named with the hope that he would bring relief from the curse on the ground. Here, the ark's 'resting' on the mountains of Ararat signifies the beginning of that comfort and a new era for the earth.

The "mountains of Ararat" refers to the ancient kingdom of Urartu, a mountainous region in what is modern-day eastern Turkey and parts of Armenia. It is not necessarily a single peak but a general geographical area, indicating the broad region where the ark came to rest.

Practical Application

Genesis 8:4 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even during life's most tumultuous storms, God is sovereignly at work, guiding us to a place of safety and rest. When we feel overwhelmed by challenges, this verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering faithfulness. Just as Noah had to patiently wait for the waters to recede, we too are called to wait on the Lord, knowing that He will bring us through trials and ultimately lead us to a place of peace and new opportunities. It's a powerful reminder that even in the midst of chaos, God provides a secure refuge and orchestrates our deliverance.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:38 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 19:37 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • Jeremiah 51:27 (3 votes)

    Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.

  • Genesis 7:17 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

  • Genesis 7:19 (2 votes)

    And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered.