Genesis 7:17

17 And the flood was upon the earth forty days and forty nights, and the water abounded greatly and bore up the ark, and it was lifted on high from off the earth.

Genesis 7:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 7:17

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 stood, and bore it up, that it touched not the earth; and Aben Ezra from hence infers, that the ark did not remove from its place after the flood began, until forty days.

Genesis 7:17 In-Context

15 went in to Noe into the ark, pairs, male and female of all flesh in which is the breath of life.

16 And they that entered went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded Noe, and the Lord God shut the ark outside of him.

17 And the flood was upon the earth forty days and forty nights, and the water abounded greatly and bore up the ark, and it was lifted on high from off the earth.

18 And the water prevailed and abounded exceedingly upon the earth, and the ark was borne upon the water.

19 And the water prevailed exceedingly upon the earth, and covered all the high mountains which were under heaven.