By the twenty-seventh day of the second monthThis phrase marks a specific point in time, indicating the end of the flood narrative. The second month here refers to the Hebrew calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used today. This timing is significant as it shows the completion of a full year since the flood began, emphasizing God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to Noah. The precision of the date underscores the historical nature of the event, suggesting a real occurrence rather than a mythological story. This date also aligns with the agricultural cycle, as the earth would be ready for planting and renewal, symbolizing new beginnings.
the earth was fully dry
The complete drying of the earth signifies the restoration of creation after the judgment of the flood. This mirrors the creation narrative where dry land appeared from the waters, indicating a new creation and a fresh start for humanity. The drying of the earth is a fulfillment of God's promise to Noah and his family, demonstrating His mercy and covenant faithfulness. This event prefigures the ultimate restoration and renewal found in Christ, who brings new life and hope. The drying of the earth also connects to other biblical themes of deliverance and salvation, such as the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry ground.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NoahA righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth. He is a central figure in this account, demonstrating obedience and faithfulness.
2.
The ArkThe vessel built by Noah under God's instructions to save his family and pairs of every living creature from the flood.
3.
The FloodA cataclysmic event sent by God to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness, sparing only Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark.
4.
Mountains of AraratThe location where the ark came to rest as the floodwaters receded, marking the beginning of a new chapter for humanity and creation.
5.
The EarthThe focus of God's restorative work post-flood, as it becomes habitable once again.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in RestorationGod fulfills His promise to Noah by restoring the earth, demonstrating His faithfulness. We can trust God to restore and renew our lives when we face trials.
The Importance of Patience and ObedienceNoah waited patiently for God's timing to leave the ark. In our lives, we must learn to wait on God's perfect timing and remain obedient to His guidance.
New BeginningsThe drying of the earth signifies a fresh start for humanity. In Christ, we are offered new beginnings, leaving behind our old selves and embracing a new life.
God's Sovereignty Over CreationThe flood account reminds us of God's control over nature. We should live with reverence and respect for His creation, acknowledging His power and authority.
Hope in God's PromisesJust as God promised never to flood the earth again, we can hold onto His promises in Scripture, finding hope and assurance in His unchanging nature.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 8:14?
2.How does Genesis 8:14 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?
3.What lessons can we learn from Noah's patience in Genesis 8:14?
4.How does Genesis 8:14 connect to God's covenant in Genesis 9:11-17?
5.How can we apply Noah's obedience in Genesis 8:14 to our lives today?
6.What does "the earth was dry" symbolize in the context of new beginnings?
7.How does Genesis 8:14 align with scientific understanding of Earth's history?
8.What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Genesis 8:14?
9.How does Genesis 8:14 influence the interpretation of the flood narrative?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 8?
11.What was the duration of Noah's time on the ark?
12.What defines an earth angel?
13.What was the duration of Noah's time on the ark?
14.What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?What Does Genesis 8:14 Mean
By the twenty-seventh dayGod’s Word traces the flood with astonishing precision. After Noah entered the ark on “the seventeenth day of the second month” (Genesis 7:11), the calendar keeps ticking. Eleven months and ten days later—“by the twenty-seventh day”—we reach the final timestamp. This detail highlights:
• God’s faithfulness to His schedule (Genesis 8:3–5;Galatians 4:4).
• The reliability of the narrative; the specific date encourages us to read it as genuine history.
• A quiet reminder that judgment has an endpoint for the faithful (Psalm 30:5).
of the second monthThe same month in which judgment began now witnesses its completion, forming a perfect bookend. Consider:
•Genesis 7:11 began the deluge in the second month;Genesis 8:14 ends it in that same month the following year.
• This symmetry underlines that the God who initiates discipline also concludes it (Lamentations 3:31-33).
• It also reinforces the covenant rhythm that will soon unfold when God speaks to Noah (Genesis 9:8-17).
the earth was fully dryNo half-measures—God finishes what He starts (Philippians 1:6). The ground is completely safe for new beginnings.
• Earlier, Noah saw the surface “drying” (Genesis 8:13), but now Scripture states, “the earth was fully dry.” God waits until conditions are absolutely ready before releasing His people (Isaiah 30:18).
• This underscores the difference between human impatience and divine completion. Noah remains in the ark until God’s explicit command (Genesis 8:15-16), modeling obedience that trusts God’s timing (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• The phrase anticipates a re-creation theme: dry land emerged before life filled it inGenesis 1:9-13; now it does so again, preparing for a fresh start under the covenant of the rainbow.
summaryGenesis 8:14 marks the exact day God ended the flood, closing the chapter of judgment and opening the door to renewal. The precise date underscores historical reality, the matching month frames God’s perfect symmetry, and the declaration of fully dry ground showcases His thorough care. Together they invite us to trust His timing, rest in His faithfulness, and step forward only at His word.
(14)
In the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month.--That is, fifty-seven days after Noah removed the covering, and a year and eleven days after the flood began. The word rendered "dried" at the end of this verse is different from that translated "dried up" and "dry" in
Genesis 8:13, and marks a further stage in the process. It should be translated,
was thoroughly dry.There is in this year and eleven days a curious fact. It is reasonably certain that thirty days were reckoned to a month. But as a matter of fact, twelve lunar months do not make 360 days, but only about 354. Probably, therefore, the day of the new moon was often twice counted, as the last of the old month and the first of the new. But if to these 354 days we add 11, that is, from the 17th to the 27th of the second month. the result is exactly a full solar year of 365 days.
Verse 14. -
And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.יָבְשָׁה The three Hebrew verbs employed to depict the gradual cessation of the floods express a regular gradation;
קָלַל (ver. 11), to be lightened, signifying their abatement or diminution (
κεκόπακε τὸ ὕδωρ, LXX.);
חָרַב (ver. 13), to be dried up, indicating the disappearance of the water (
ἐξέλιπε τό ὕδωρ, LXX.);
יָבֵשׁ (ver. 14), to be dry, denoting the desiccation of the ground (
ἐξηράνθη ἡ γῆ, (LXX.). Cf.
Isaiah 19:5, where there is a similar gradation:
וְנָהָר יֶךחרַב וְיָבְשׁ, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
The data are insufficient to enable us to determine whether the Noachic year was solar or lunar. It has been conjectured that the year consisted of twelve months of thirty days, with five intercalated days at the end to make up the solar year of three hundred and sixty-five days (Ewald); of seven months of thirty days and five of thirty-one (Bohlen); of five of thirty and seven of twenty-nine (Knobel); but the circumstance that the period from the commencement of the Deluge to the touching of Ararat extended over five months exactly, and that the waters are said to have previously prevailed for one hundred and fifty days, naturally leads to the conclusion that the months of Noah's year were equal periods of thirty days.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
By the twenty-seventhבְּשִׁבְעָ֧ה(bə·šiḇ·‘āh)Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7651:Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite numberdayי֖וֹם(yō·wm)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayof the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֔י(haš·šê·nî)Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8145:Second (an ordinal number)month,וּבַחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙(ū·ḇa·ḥō·ḏeš)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a monththe earthהָאָֽרֶץ׃(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landwas fully dry.יָבְשָׁ֖ה(yā·ḇə·šāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3001:To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither
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OT Law: Genesis 8:14 In the second month on the twenty-seventh (Gen. Ge Gn) 
