Genesis 7 Study Notes

7:12 Exactly as God had indicated (v. 4), the rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. God’s word to Noah is once again shown to be trustworthy.

7:13-15 The same day Noah completed the task of loading the ark; that is, the seventh day (v. 10) after God’s command was given, Noah and his family entered the ark.

7:16 Shut him in—The author gave no details to explain how God performed the supernatural act of shutting Noah in. This divine act highlights the truth found elsewhere in the Bible: “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Jnh 2:9).

7:17-20 More than twenty feet is literally fifteen cubits, which is about 22½ feet. For more on the scope of Noah’s flood, see note at 6:17.

7:21 Through the use of expanded restatement the author brings the detailed account of the flood’s destruction to a climax.

7:22 For dramatic effect a second expanded expression of the flood’s destructive effects immediately follows the one in the previous verse.

7:23 The overpowering presentation of death is contrasted with Noah’s preservation.

7:24 Though the text does not explicitly say so, the total of 150 days seems to include the forty days of rain (see note at v. 12). The Hebrew word translated as surged emphasizes the power of the waters.