Genesis 7:19 - The Duration of the Flood

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Context

The Duration of the Flood
…18So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters. 19Finally, the waters completely inundated the earth, so that all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered. 20The waters rose and covered the mountaintops to a depth of fifteen cubits.…

Cross References

Genesis 1:6-7
And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.” / So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so.Genesis 6:17
And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish.Genesis 8:5
And the waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible.Job 12:15
If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land.Psalm 104:6-9
You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. / At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— / the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You assigned for them— ...Isaiah 54:9
“For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you.2 Peter 3:6
through which the world of that time perished in the flood.Matthew 24:38-39
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.Luke 17:26-27
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.1 Peter 3:20
who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.2 Peter 2:5
if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;Job 38:8-11
Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...Psalm 29:10
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.Isaiah 11:9
They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water.

Job 12:15
Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

Psalm 46:2,3
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; …

Psalm 104:6-9
Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains…

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Genesis 7

Finally, the waters completely prevailed upon the earth
This phrase indicates the culmination of the flood's power, emphasizing the totality of the deluge. The word "prevailed" suggests dominance and overwhelming force, reflecting the judgment of God upon a sinful world. This event is a pivotal moment in biblical history, marking a divine reset of creation. The flood narrative parallels the creation account, where the Spirit of God moved over the waters, symbolizing both destruction and the potential for new beginnings. The floodwaters covering the earth can be seen as a type of baptism, symbolizing cleansing and renewal, prefiguring Christian baptism.

so that all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered
This phrase underscores the universality of the flood, indicating that it was not a local event but one that affected the entire earth. The covering of "all the high mountains" signifies the extent of God's judgment, leaving no place untouched. This total coverage can be seen as a reversal of creation, where land emerged from the waters. Theologically, it points to the seriousness of sin and the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. The mention of "all the heavens" suggests the flood's impact on the entire created order, reinforcing the idea of a cosmic reset. This event foreshadows the final judgment, where all creation will be renewed and restored.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Noah
A righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and preserve life on earth. He built the ark as instructed by God.

2. The Flood
A cataclysmic event sent by God to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness, sparing only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark.

3. The Ark
A large vessel constructed by Noah to save his family and pairs of every kind of animal from the floodwaters.

4. The Mountains
The high places on earth that were submerged under the floodwaters, signifying the totality of the flood's coverage.

5. God
The sovereign Creator who judged the earth's wickedness with the flood but also provided a means of salvation through Noah.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Judgment
The flood demonstrates God's authority over creation and His right to judge sin. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment.

God's Provision and Salvation
Despite the judgment, God provided a way of salvation through the ark. This prefigures the ultimate salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

The Totality of God's Judgment
The covering of all high mountains signifies the completeness of God's judgment. It serves as a warning of the thoroughness of God's future judgment.

Faith and Obedience
Noah's faith and obedience in building the ark despite the lack of visible evidence of the coming flood is a model for believers to trust and obey God even when His plans are not fully understood.

Preparedness for Christ's Return
Just as the flood came unexpectedly, believers are called to live in readiness for Christ's return, maintaining faithfulness and righteousness.Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Finally, the waters
וְהַמַּ֗יִם (wə·ham·ma·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

completely
מְאֹ֥ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

inundated
גָּֽבְר֛וּ (gā·ḇə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1396: To be strong, to prevail, act insolently

the earth,
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

so that all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the high
הַגְּבֹהִ֔ים (hag·gə·ḇō·hîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1364: Elevated, powerful, arrogant

mountains
הֶֽהָרִים֙ (he·hā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

under
תַּ֖חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the heavens
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (haš·šā·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

were covered.
וַיְכֻסּ֗וּ (way·ḵus·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

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Genesis 7:19 Catholic BibleOT Law: Genesis 7:19 The waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth (Gen. Ge Gn)