Genesis 7:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters.

NIV: The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

NASB: The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

CSB: The water surged and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

NLT: As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface.

KJV: And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

NKJV: The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters.

We were told in the previous verse that the floodwaters increased or multiplied. Now we're told that the waters "prevailed." This is from the Hebrew root word gabar. This is a military term, used for winning victory in battle. It can also mean "overwhelmed, overtook, or conquered." Anyone who has seen a flood or tsunami in action knows how much power there is in moving water. Beneath the ark, the flood waters overwhelmed everything on land, while rising higher and higher.

The rise of these waters, in some ways, is a reversal of God's initial creation. In the beginning, God drew dry land out of the water (Genesis 1:9–10). Here, in judgment, He is sending that land back under the waters. This is, in literal action, God "resetting" this aspect of His creation.

Although the waters destroy everything on land, they do not prevail, over the ark. We were told in the previous verse that the boat floated high above its original place on the ground. Now we're told that it floats on the surface of the water. The ark and its inhabitants were on the move. It's worth noting that the ark is actually not a "boat." There are no oars, sails, rudders, or other controls mentioned. It has one purpose: to float above the destruction, and let God take care of the rest.

Genesis 7:11–24 describes the greatest disaster in world history: the flood. For forty days and nights, rain falls from above, and underground water rushes from below. As a result, floodwaters fully cover the surface of the land for another 110 days. The ark, built as God has instructed Noah, is able to float and survive the deluge. Every land-dwelling, air-breathing human and creature dies, except for those aboard the ark.

Genesis 7 tells the story of the actual flood itself. God again commends Noah for his righteousness. The animals of every kind come to the ark. God shuts Noah and his family and the animals in, and it begins to rain. Water pours from above and bursts forth from below with incredible intensity. This outpouring of water lasts for 40 days, and covers the surface of the earth for another 110 days. The ark floats, rises, moves across the surface of the water. Outside of it, every land-dwelling, air-breathing thing dies. God wipes it all out, including every human being other than Noah and his family.

In chapter 6, God saw the wickedness and violence of humanity and resolved to wipe it all out. He revealed that plan to Noah, and He commanded Noah to build the ark. In chapter 7, the ark is finished, the animals arrive, the door is shut, and the rain begins on a specific date in the history of the world. All life aboard the ark is saved; all land-dwelling, air-breathing life outside of it is ended. The waters burst from below the earth and pour from above with great intensity for 40 days and then covered the earth for another 110. In the following chapter, the ark will come to rest, and the remade earth will begin to dry out.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.