Genesis 7:19

19 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered.

Genesis 7:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 7:19

And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth
Yet more and more, so that the people without the ark were obliged to remove, not only from the lower to the higher rooms in their houses, and to the tops of them, but to the highest trees; and when these were bore down, to the highest hills and mountains; and to those it was in vain to fly, by what follows:

and all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were
covered:
whence it appears there were hills before the flood, and that these were not caused by it, and that the deluge was universal, since there was not a hill under the whole heaven but what was covered with it. In Deucalion's flood all men are said to perish, except a few who fled to the high mountains ^F14; which story seems to be hammered out of this account.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Apollodorus, de Deor. Origin. l. 1. p. 19.

Genesis 7:19 In-Context

17 The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.

18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters.

19 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered.

20 The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.

21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind.