Genesis 7:17

17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above 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 They came to Noah to enter the ark, two by two of every creature with the breath of life.

16 And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth.

18 So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

19 Finally, the waters completely prevailed upon the earth, so that all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered.