Genesis 7:17-20
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The verse subtly highlights that the ark wasn't just lifted by the rising waters; it was actively borne up by them. This implies the waters had an intentional, sustaining power, acting not as a passive force but as a vessel carrying Noah and his family through the judgment.
The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The narrative details the beginning of the unprecedented 40-day deluge, initiated by both the breaking open of the deep springs and the opening of the heavens. As the waters rise and gain strength, they begin to lift Noah's ark, separating it from the ground and setting it adrift on the immense, surging waters. This marks the crucial moment the ark's occupants are physically isolated from the world below, as the waters relentlessly increase and cover even the highest hills.
Imagine the world you know dissolving around you. The rains haven't stopped for days. What does it mean that this period was marked by increasing waters?
A Deliberate Rise
The verse states, 'The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark...' This isn't just a description of rain; it highlights a deliberate, escalating divine action.
Ask a follow-up
The ark wasn't just floating; it was lifted above the earth. What does this image of elevation signify in the midst of destruction?
A New Perspective
The climax of this verse is the ark being 'lift high above the earth.' This isn't merely a physical description but carries significant theological weight.
Understand the original words
mabbul · Hebrew Noun
A divine deluge sent by God to judge the corruption of humanity and cleanse the earth; it represents both the catastrophic reality of divine wrath against sin and the means of preserving a remnant.
tebah · Hebrew Noun
A large vessel of wood designed for preservation and rescue; typologically, it points forward to Christ as the place of refuge and safety from the coming judgment of God.
ammah · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew unit of measurement (approximately 18 inches) based on the length of a forearm; here it serves to emphasize the precision of the biblical account and the completeness of the floodwaters' reach.
c. 2948 BC— this verse
Noah Enters the Ark
Noah and his family, along with pairs of all animals, enter the ark as commanded by God. The divine sealing of the ark signifies the beginning of the judgment.
c. 2948 BC
Fountains of the Deep Broken Up
Simultaneously with the rain, the subterranean waters burst forth, contributing to the immense volume of the floodwaters.
c. 2948 BC
Forty Days of Rain
Heavy rain falls for forty days and forty nights, a significant period during which the waters swell and the ark begins to be lifted and move.
c. 2948 BC
Waters Prevail and Cover High Hills
The floodwaters continue to rise, eventually covering all the highest mountains on earth, signifying the totality of God's judgment.
c. 2948 BC
150 Days of Prevailing Waters
The floodwaters cover the earth for a total of 150 days, during which the ark drifts upon the face of the waters.
This passage directly links the salvation of Noah's family in the ark through the waters of the flood to the saving power of baptism, highlighting water's dual role in destruction and salvation.
Psalm 104:6-9This psalm reflects on God's power over the waters, referencing the flood narrative where waters covered the earth and then retreated according to God's command, paralleling the ark's experience.
Luke 17:26-27Jesus Himself references the days of Noah, comparing the suddenness of His return to the sudden destruction of the flood, emphasizing that life went on normally until the judgment arrived.
Job 38:8-11This passage describes God setting boundaries for the sea, which directly relates to the flood narrative where these boundaries were broken ('fountains of the deep were broken up' and 'windows of heaven were opened'), showing God's ultimate control over the waters.
gillGenesis 7:17: "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."
And the flood was forty days upon the earth,.... This is said with respect to what follows, and the meaning is, that when and after the flood had been upon the earth so long, then the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth; after this they were so many and so strong that they lifted up the ark from the place where it s…
calvinGenesis 7:1-24: "And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation."
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.
In anno sexcentesimo annorum vitae Noah, in mense secundo, in septimadecima die mensis, die ipsa, rupti sunt omnes fontes voraginis magnaaa…
The verse subtly highlights that the ark wasn't just lifted by the rising waters; it was actively borne up by them. This implies the waters had an intentional, sustaining power, acting not as a passive force but as a vessel carrying Noah and his family through the judgment.
The narrative details the beginning of the unprecedented 40-day deluge, initiated by both the breaking open of the deep springs and the opening of the heavens. As the waters rise and gain strength, they begin to lift Noah's ark, separating it from the ground and setting it adrift on the immense, surging waters. This marks the crucial moment the ark's occupants are physically isolated from the world below, as the waters relentlessly increase and cover even the highest hills.
The narrative details the beginning of the unprecedented 40-day deluge, initiated by both the breaking open of the deep springs and the opening of the heavens. As the waters rise and gain strength, they begin to lift Noah's ark, separating it from the ground and setting it adrift on the immense, surging waters. This marks the crucial moment the ark's occupants are physically isolated from the world below, as the waters relentlessly increase and cover even the highest hills.
"The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters…" — The verse subtly highlights that the ark wasn't just lifted by the rising waters; it was actively borne up by them. This implies the waters had an intentional, sustaining power, acting not as a pas…
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Last reviewed October 2026
