Genesis 7:17

17 The flood continued for forty days, and the water became deep enough for the boat to float.

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 A male and a female of each kind of living being went into the boat with Noah,

16 as God had commanded. Then the Lord shut the door behind Noah.

17 The flood continued for forty days, and the water became deep enough for the boat to float.

18 The water became deeper, and the boat drifted on the surface.

19 It became so deep that it covered the highest mountains;