Bereshis 7:17

17 And the mabbul was arba’im yom upon ha’aretz; and the waters increased, and lifted up the tevah (ark), and it rose above ha’aretz.

Bereshis 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.

Bereshis 7:17 In-Context

15 And they went in unto Noach into the tevah (ark), shnayim shnayim of kol habasar, wherein is the ruach chayyim.

16 And they that went in, went in zachar and nekevah of kol basar, as Elohim had commanded him; then Hashem shut him in.

17 And the mabbul was arba’im yom upon ha’aretz; and the waters increased, and lifted up the tevah (ark), and it rose above ha’aretz.

18 And the waters rose, and were increased greatly upon ha’aretz; and the tevah (ark) floated upon the face of the waters.

19 And the waters rose exceedingly upon ha’aretz; and all the high hills, that were under kol HaShomayim, were covered.