The waters roseThis phrase indicates the increasing intensity of the floodwaters, emphasizing the totality of the deluge. The rising waters symbolize God's judgment on a corrupt world, as described earlier in
Genesis 6:5-7. The flood serves as a divine reset, purging the earth of widespread wickedness. This event foreshadows future judgments, such as those described in Revelation, where water is often a symbol of chaos and divine wrath.
and covered the mountaintops
The covering of the mountaintops signifies the completeness of the flood, leaving no part of the earth untouched. This detail underscores the universality of the flood, as even the highest geographical points were submerged. The mountains, often seen as symbols of stability and permanence, being covered, highlights the overwhelming power of God's judgment. This can be compared to other biblical instances where mountains are significant, such as Mount Sinai (Exodus 19) and Mount Zion (Psalm 125:1), representing God's presence and protection.
to a depth of fifteen cubits
A cubit is an ancient measurement roughly equivalent to 18 inches or 45 centimeters, making fifteen cubits approximately 22.5 feet or 6.75 meters. This specific measurement indicates that the waters were deep enough to ensure the complete destruction of all life outside the ark, as described inGenesis 7:21-23. The precision of this detail reflects the thoroughness of God's judgment. The number fifteen, while not as symbolically significant as other biblical numbers, still emphasizes the sufficiency of the floodwaters to accomplish God's purpose.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NoahA righteous man chosen by God to build the ark and preserve life during the flood.
2.
The ArkA large vessel constructed by Noah under God's instructions to save his family and pairs of every living creature.
3.
The FloodA divine judgment sent by God to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness.
4.
MountainsThe highest geographical points on earth, symbolizing the totality of the flood's coverage.
5.
GodThe sovereign Creator who judges sin but also provides a means of salvation.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and JudgmentThe flood demonstrates God's absolute control over creation and His righteous judgment against sin.
The Totality of God's JudgmentThe waters covering the mountains signify the completeness of God's judgment, leaving no place untouched by His decree.
Salvation Through ObedienceNoah's obedience in building the ark is a model of faith and trust in God's word, leading to salvation.
The Reality of Divine WarningsJust as God warned Noah of the coming flood, He warns us today through Scripture about the consequences of sin and the need for repentance.
Hope in God's PromisesDespite the severity of the flood, God's promise to preserve Noah and his family offers hope and assurance of His faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 7:20?
2.How does Genesis 7:20 demonstrate God's power over creation and judgment?
3.What lessons can we learn from the floodwaters covering "fifteen cubits upward"?
4.How does Genesis 7:20 connect to God's covenant with Noah in Genesis 9?
5.How can we apply the obedience of Noah to our daily lives today?
6.What does Genesis 7:20 teach us about God's faithfulness to His promises?
7.How could water cover mountains to a depth of fifteen cubits in Genesis 7:20?
8.Is there archaeological evidence supporting a global flood as described in Genesis 7:20?
9.How does Genesis 7:20 align with geological and historical records of the Earth?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 7?
11.Is the Genesis flood scientifically proven?
12.Did the Flood destroy all animals?
13.How could a global flood, as described in Genesis, have covered all the mountains on Earth?
14.Is the global disaster described in Matthew 24:21 supported by any record from history or science?What Does Genesis 7:20 Mean
The waters rose-Genesis 7:17–18 tells us, “For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth”. The repeated statement that the waters “rose” stresses unstoppable, divinely driven judgment, echoingJob 12:15 where the Lord “releases” waters that “overwhelm the earth.”
- This is not regional or symbolic; the rising waters display God’s power over the entire creation, anticipating Peter’s reminder that “the world of that time perished, having been deluged with water” (2 Peter 3:6).
- For Noah’s family, the rising waters underscore God’s faithfulness—He warned, provided an ark (Genesis 6:14–16), and now proves His word true (Hebrews 11:7).
Covered the mountaintops-Genesis 7:19 emphasizes, “all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered”. By pairing “all” with “under all the heavens,” the text rules out a local flood and affirms a global scope.
-Psalm 104:6–9 poetically recalls the same scene: “You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.” God’s sovereignty extends to the highest peaks; nothing escapes His judgment.
- Jesus later uses this very flood to warn of coming judgment (Matthew 24:37–39). If the mountains were covered once, final judgment will be just as comprehensive.
To a depth of fifteen cubits- A cubit is roughly 18 inches, so fifteen cubits equal about 22 feet (6.7 m). That depth matters for at least two reasons:
• It assures enough clearance for the ark—whose draft would have been less than fifteen cubits (compare the ark’s 30-cubit height inGenesis 6:15)—to float safely above every summit.
• It supplies a measurable, historical detail, reinforcing that this account is literal, eyewitness history, not myth.
- The ark’s eventual landing “on the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4) confirms that the vessel indeed passed above even the highest ridges before the waters receded.
summaryGenesis 7:20 records that floodwaters climbed high enough to submerge every mountain by about twenty-two feet, proving a worldwide judgment exactly as God had warned. The verse underlines the Lord’s total control over creation, the reliability of His word, and the safety He provides to those who trust Him—as Noah did in the ark, so we do in Christ today.
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Fifteen cubits upward.--This apparently was the draught of the ark, computed after it had settled. in the region of Ararat. Fifteen cubits would be about twenty-two feet, and as the ark floated onward without interruption until it finally grounded, there must have been this depth of water even on the highest summit in its course. Continuous rains for forty days and nights would scarcely produce so vast a mass of water, unless we suppose that the
adamahwas some low-lying spot of ground whither the waters from many regions flowed together; but this is negatived by the ark having travelled into Armenia. In England the whole average mean rainfall in a year is not more than twenty-eight or thirty inches in depth. If we suppose this amount to have fallen in every twenty-four hours, the total quantity would be about 100 feet. Such a rain would denude the mountains of all soil, uproot all trees, sweep away all buildings, dig out new courses for the rivers, completely alter the whole surface of the ground, and cover the lower lands with debris. Wherever there was any obstacle in their way, the waters would deepen in volume, and quickly burst a passage through it. But as they would be seeking the lower grounds during the whole forty days, it is difficult to understand how they could cover any of the heights to the depth of twenty-two feet, unless there were some cosmic convulsion (see Note on
Genesis 7:11), by which the waters from the equator were carried towards the poles, and in this way there would be no difficulty in the ark being carried against the current of the Tigris and Euphrates up to the high lands of Armenia.
Verse 20. -
Fifteen cubits upward - half the height of the ark -
did the waters prevail. Literally,
become strong; above the highest mountains obviously, and not above the ground simply; as, on the latter alternative, it could scarcely have been added,
and the mountains were covered.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The watersהַמָּ֑יִם(ham·mā·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semenroseגָּבְר֖וּ(gā·ḇə·rū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1396:To be strong, to prevail, act insolentlyand coveredוַיְכֻסּ֖וּ(way·ḵus·sū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3680:To plump, fill up hollows, to coverthe mountaintopsהֶהָרִֽים׃(he·hā·rîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022:Mountain, hill, hill countryto a depthמִלְמַ֔עְלָה(mil·ma‘·lāh)Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605:The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the topof fifteenחֲמֵ֨שׁ(ḥă·mêš)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2568:Fivecubits.אַמָּה֙(’am·māh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520:A mother, a cubit, a door-base
Links
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OT Law: Genesis 7:20 The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward (Gen. Ge Gn) 
