Explanation and Commentary

Introduction

Genesis 7 is a pivotal chapter in the biblical account of the Great Flood. It describes how Noah, his family, and the animals enter the ark, the beginning of the flood, and God's judgment upon the earth. This event marks a profound moment in biblical history, demonstrating God's justice, mercy, and sovereignty.

The flood narrative extends from Genesis 6:9 to Genesis 9:17, but chapter 7 specifically focuses on:

God's command to enter the ark.
The gathering of animals.
The commencement of the flood.
The destruction of all life outside the ark.
The preservation of Noah and those with him.

Verse-by-Verse Explanation

Genesis 7:1 – God Calls Noah into the Ark

"Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.’"

God’s Invitation: The word "Come" (or "Go" in some translations) signifies a personal invitation from God, showing His care for Noah. It also implies that God was present with Noah in the ark.
Noah’s Righteousness: Noah was declared righteous, not because he was sinless, but because he walked faithfully with God (Genesis 6:9). His obedience set him apart from the corrupt world.

Genesis 7:2-3 – Gathering the Animals

"You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth."

Clean and Unclean Animals:
- The distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals would later be codified in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 11).
- Clean animals were likely meant for sacrificial purposes after the flood (Genesis 8:20).
Seven Pairs vs. Two Pairs:
- Clean animals: Seven pairs (male and female).
- Unclean animals: One pair.
- Birds: Seven pairs to ensure their survival and repopulation.

Genesis 7:4 – The Seven-Day Countdown

"For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made."

God’s Mercy: Even after warning humanity for years (2 Peter 2:5), He gives an additional seven-day period.
Forty Days and Forty Nights:
- The number 40 symbolizes testing, judgment, and purification (e.g., Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus’ 40 days of fasting).
Global Judgment: God emphasizes total destruction of all life outside the ark.

Genesis 7:5 – Noah’s Obedience

"And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him."

Absolute Obedience: Noah’s faith is demonstrated in action (Hebrews 11:7).
A Model of Faithfulness: Unlike others who mocked him, Noah trusted God despite no prior experience of such a flood.

Genesis 7:6-10 – Entering the Ark

"Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth."

Noah’s Age: This shows his maturity and God’s patience with humanity (Genesis 6:3).
Seven-Day Waiting Period (7:10): God’s final grace before judgment begins.

Genesis 7:11-12 – The Flood Begins

"In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights."

Exact Date: This marks a real historical event.
Two Water Sources:
1. The Fountains of the Deep: Underground waters burst forth (possibly tectonic activity).
2. The Windows of Heaven: Torrential rain from above.
Universal Flood vs. Local Flood:
- The language suggests a global catastrophe, not just a regional event.
- The scale of destruction and God’s promise (Genesis 9:11) confirm this.

Genesis 7:13-16 – Noah’s Family and the Animals Enter

"On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark..."

Only Eight People Saved: Reflecting God’s judgment and the rarity of true faith.
God Himself Seals the Ark:
- "And the Lord shut him in." (7:16)
- This shows God’s protection over Noah and finality of judgment.

Genesis 7:17-24 – The Waters Prevail

"Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth."

Total Submersion of the Earth:
- "The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered." (7:20)
- This suggests even the highest mountains were submerged.
All Life Perishes (7:21-23):
- Every breathing creature outside the ark died.
- This fulfills God’s warning in Genesis 6:13.
The Waters Dominate for 150 Days (7:24):
- This suggests a long-lasting catastrophe, not just a brief storm.
- The ark floats on rising waters, preserving Noah’s family and animals.

Theological Themes in Genesis 7

God’s Judgment and Justice
- The flood is a divine response to extreme human wickedness (Genesis 6:5-7).
- Sin leads to judgment, but God provides a way of salvation (the ark).
God’s Mercy and Salvation
- Noah’s family is saved by grace through faith.
- The ark foreshadows Christ as our refuge from God’s final judgment (1 Peter 3:20-21).
The Sovereignty of God
- God controls time, nature, and destiny.
- He is in command from the flood’s onset to its recession.
Faith and Obedience
- Noah’s faith is practical—he listens and acts.
- True faith is not just belief but obedience to God's Word.
A Type of New Creation
- The flood “resets” the earth, paralleling Genesis 1.
- Noah is a new Adam, given dominion over the renewed world (Genesis 9).

Conclusion

Genesis 7 is a dramatic chapter that highlights both God’s wrath against sin and His mercy in salvation. The flood serves as a warning of future judgment (Matthew 24:37-39) but also a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ as our ultimate ark of safety.

This chapter urges believers to live in righteousness, trust in God’s promises, and take refuge in His salvation.

BIBLE LIBRARY

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Genesis 7 Explanation and Commentary