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Genesis 7:10
And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

Genesis 2:5
And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, andthere was not a man to till the ground.

Genesis 6:3
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he alsois flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

forty days.

Genesis 7:12,17
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights…

and every.

Genesis 7:21-23
And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: …

Genesis 6:17
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, whereinis the breath of life, from under heaven;and every thing thatis in the earth shall die.

destroy.

Genesis 7:21,23
And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: …

Genesis 6:7,13,17
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them…

Exodus 32:32,33
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written…

I will send rain on the earth
Rain is a natural phenomenon, but here it is used as an instrument of divine judgment. This marks the first mention of rain in the Bible, suggesting a dramatic shift in the natural order. The flood narrative contrasts with the creation account, where God separated the waters to create dry land, now reversing that process to cleanse the earth.

for forty days and forty nights
The number forty is frequently associated with periods of testing, trial, and judgment in the Bible. Examples include Moses on Mount Sinai for forty days, Israel's forty years in the wilderness, and Jesus' forty days of fasting. This period signifies a complete and thorough judgment upon the earth.

and I will wipe from the face of the earth
This phrase underscores the totality of the impending destruction. The language of "wiping" suggests a cleansing or purging, aligning with the idea of the flood as a means to remove corruption and violence from the earth, as described earlier in Genesis.

every living thing I have made
This highlights the extent of the flood's impact, affecting all of creation. It reflects the gravity of humanity's sin, which has corrupted not only people but the entire created order. This phrase also emphasizes God's sovereignty as the Creator, who has the authority to judge His creation.

from the face of the earth
The phrase "face of the earth" indicates the global scope of the flood. While some debate the extent of the flood, the language here suggests a comprehensive judgment. This also foreshadows the new beginning for creation that will follow, as the earth is renewed post-flood.

every living thing I have made
This reiterates the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting all life forms. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of creation and humanity's role as stewards, whose sin has far-reaching consequences. This also points to the seriousness with which God views sin and the lengths He will go to restore righteousness.

God gives Noah a precise, one-week countdown (Genesis 7:10). That short span speaks volumes:

• Patience—He still allows time for any last-minute repentance, echoing the heart of2 Peter 3:9.

• Certainty—Noah can mark the calendar; this is not vague symbolism but an actual date with judgment.

• Completeness—“Seven” often marks completion (Genesis 2:2-3), underscoring that God’s preparations for the flood are now complete.

In practical terms, Noah finishes loading the ark, gathers food (Genesis 6:21), and watches the door of opportunity swing shut after the seventh day.

Rain is the chosen instrument. Up to this point Scripture only mentions underground springs or mist watering the ground (Genesis 2:6). Now:

• God directly controls the weather (Job 37:11-13;Psalm 148:8).

• The downpour is not a natural accident but a deliberate act of judgment, as personal as the “I” suggests.

• Noah, who had never seen such rain, must trust God’s word rather than past experience—a walk of faith mirrored later inHebrews 11:7.

The deluge lasts forty literal days and nights (Genesis 7:12). Throughout the Bible “forty” marks periods of testing or transition:

• Moses on Sinai (Exodus 24:18)

• Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33-34)

• Elijah’s journey to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8)

• Jesus’ temptation (Matthew 4:2)

Here the earth itself undergoes a forty-day trial, cleansing away entrenched wickedness (Genesis 6:11-13). The rain’s unbroken rhythm—day and night—highlights the inescapable nature of divine judgment.

The verdict is total: humanity, land animals, creeping things, birds—everything outside the ark (Genesis 7:23). Consider the gravity:

• Sin’s reach was universal (Genesis 6:5), so judgment is universal.

• God remains just; He warned, He waited, now He acts (Luke 17:26-27).

• Yet mercy shines: one family and representative creatures are preserved, foreshadowing future redemption (2 Peter 3:6-7).

The phrase “I have made” reminds us creation belongs to Him; He alone has authority to give and take life (Job 1:21).

Genesis 7:4 is a concise proclamation of God’s timetable, method, duration, and scope of the Flood. In seven days the rains would come, pouring relentlessly for forty days and nights, erasing every land-dwelling creature outside the ark. The verse underscores God’s patience, sovereignty over nature, faithful execution of promised judgment, and preserving grace toward those who trust Him.

Every living substance.--The word "living" is found neither in the Hebrew nor in the ancient versions, and limits the sense unnecessarily. The word is rare, being found only thrice, namely, here, inGenesis 7:23, and inDeuteronomy 11:6. It meanswhatever stands erect.Thus God "destroys"--Heb.,blots out(see onGenesis 6:7)--not man and beast only, but the whole existent state of things--"from the face of the earth"--Heb.,the adamah,the cultivated and inhabited ground. This section is much more limited in the extent which it gives to the flood, not including reptiles, or rather, small animals, among those saved in the ark, and confining the overflow of the waters to the inhabited region.