Gênesis 7
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
Gênesis 7
Morris adds that "Noah was undoubtedly a man of great wealth, in order to finance the building of the Ark; but he and his sons and their wives willingly left it all behind because of their faith that God would perform what He had promised. The balance between man’s free choice and God’s electing grace is one which man, in finite understanding, can never fathom; but both are true. God promised Noah that his family would be saved (Ge 6:18) long before they voluntarily chose to enter the Ark (Ge 7:7), but choose they did when the time arrived." (BORROW The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings) (See D L Moody's sermon on Genesis 7:1 - “COME THOU AND ALL THY HOUSE INTO THE ARK”) Several versions (KJV, ASV, YLT, NET, AMP) have come in place of enter which prompted an interesting comment by Henry Morris - It is significant, too, that the Lord said “Come into the Ark,” not “Go.” God would be in the Ark with them, and although the Flood would soon be unleashed in devastating fury, they were all safe with Him. (BORROW The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings) The Septuagint has the verb eiserchomai which literally, in a local sense go or come into, and supports the English translation of "come". Also the Hebrew word (bo) is used in 2290 verses and is translated came (590) and enter (127), so this also supports the translation of "come." W H Griffith Thomas adds "It is noteworthy that God said 'Come' into the ark, not 'Go.' Surely we have here the suggestion that in some sense God would be with him there. 'His presence is salvation.' The personal character of the invitation is also noteworthy, 'Come thou.' Yet again, the inclusion of his family in the invitation should be observed, 'Come thou and all thy house.'"
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Morris - The "clean" (tahor) kinds of beasts and birds were those suitable for domestication and a form of fellowship with man, as well as for sacrificial offerings. Apparently three pairs of each of these were preserved in order to allow for wider variation in breeding after the Flood. The seventh was offered by Noah in sacrifice when they left the ark (Genesis 8:20). (BORROW The Defender's Study Bible) And of the animals that are not clean (tahor) two, a male and his female - This repeats the instruction of Ge 6:19. These would be used for sacrifice (Ge 8:20) and food (Ge 9:3). Gotquestions.org - How many of each type of animal did Noah take on the ark? Seven pairs of each kind of clean animal and one pair of each kind of other animals were taken on the ark (Genesis 6:19-20; 7:2-3). By “clean” the Bible means animals that were "acceptable for sacrifice." That is why seven pairs of the clean animals were taken – so some of them could be sacrificed after the Flood was over without endangering the species.
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Morris - This seven-day period of final warning and preparation marks the first of many references to seven-day intervals during the Flood year. This fact makes it obvious that the practice of measuring time in seven-day weeks had been in effect throughout the period between the creation week and the Flood. A worldwide rain lasting forty days would be impossible under present meteorologic conditions. The condensation of the antediluvian vapor canopy, the "waters above the firmament," (Genesis 1:6-8) is the only adequate explanation. And I will blot out (machah) from the face of the land every living thing that I have made - While God does not state that this is the purpose of the 40 days of continual rain, it is clear from Ge 6:17+ that the purpose is to bring a flood that will destroy all flesh. The verb blot out (machah) is translated in the Septuagint (Lxx) with the verb exaleipho which means literally to completely wipe off, to remove by wiping off, as when a blackboard is erased. The idea is that God by this flood will "wash the globe clean" (so to speak as it still had 8 sinners in the Ark) and cause everything with breath of life to cease by obliterating it. What a contrast is this "washing" of the filthy sinful earth with Titus 3:5+ where He "washes" filthy sinners clean, Paul writing "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."
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Morris - "Every living substance" includes the plant life on the land. All the lush vegetation of the pre-Flood world was to be uprooted, transported and buried in great sedimentary beds, many of which would eventually become the world's coal beds. Warren Wiersbe entitles Genesis 7 "A secure man who waited on God “Do not be like the horse or like the mule,” God counsels in Psalm 32:9, and Noah obeyed that counsel. The horse sometimes wants to rush ahead impetuously, and the mule wants to drag its feet and stubbornly stay back; but Noah walked with God and worked for God and let God arrange the schedule....During that final week before the flood, they finished gathering the animals and putting in their supplies. They followed the Lord’s instructions, trusted His covenant promise, and knew that there was nothing to fear. " (Bible Exposition Commentary - OT) THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE FLOOD There were forty days during which the rain fell 40 Throughout another 110 days the waters continued to rise, making 150 days in all for their “prevailing” (Ge 7:24) 110 The waters occupied 74 days in their “going and decreasing” (AV margin). This was from the 17th day of the seventh month to the 1st day of the tenth month (Ge 8:5). There being 30 days to a month, the figures in days are 13 plus 30 plus 30 plus 1 74 Forty days elapsed before Noah sent out the raven (Ge 8:6–7) 40 Seven days elapsed before Noah sent out the dove for the first time (Ge 8:8). This period is necessary for reaching the total and is given by implication from the phrase “other seven days” (Ge 8:10) 7 Seven days passed before sending out the dove for the second time (Ge 8:10) 7 Seven days more passed before the third sending of the dove (Ge 8:12) 7 Up to this point 285 days are accounted for, but the next episode is dated the 1st of the first month in the 601st year. From the date in Ge 7:11 to this point in Ge 8:13 is a period of 314 days; therefore an interval of 29 days elapses 29 From the removal of the covering of the ark to the very end of the experience was a further 57 days (Ge 8:14) 57 TOTAL 371 This table appears in E. F. Kevan’s commentary on Genesis in The New Bible Commentary, ed. F. Davidson (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1953), pp. 84–85 (BORROW). As is pointed out in our discussion below, the Flood probably reached its maximum depth after the first forty days, instead of rising throughout the 150 days as Kevan indicates. - From The Genesis Flood - Whitcomb and Morris, page 2. (BORROW) Gotquestions.org - How long was Noah on the ark? Noah entered the ark in the 600th year of his life, on the 17th day of the 2nd month (Genesis 7:11-13). Noah left the ark on the 27th day of the 2nd month of the following year (Genesis 8:14-15). Therefore, assuming a lunar calendar of 360 days, Noah was on the ark for approximately 370 days. HERE IS ANOTHER CHRONOLOGY The Flood Chronology - John MacArthur In the 600th year of Noah (second month, tenth day), Noah entered the ark (Ge 7:4, 10, 11). In the 600th year of Noah (second month, seventeenth day), the flood began (Gen. 7:11). The waters flooded the earth for 150 days (5 months of 30 days each), including the 40 days and 40 nights of rain (Gen. 7:12, 17, 24; 8:1). In the 600th year of Noah (seventh month, seventh day), the waters began to recede (Ge 7:24; 8:1). The waters later receded to the point that (600th year, seventh month, seventeenth day) the ark rested on Ararat (Gen. 8:3, 4). The waters continued to abate so that (600th year, tenth month, first day) the tops of the mountains were visible (Gen. 8:5). Forty days later (600th year, eleventh month, tenth day) Noah sent out a raven and a dove (Gen. 8:6). Over the next 14 days, Noah sent out two more doves (Gen. 8:10, 12). In all, this took 61 days or two months and one day. By Noah’s 601st year on the first month, the first day, the water had dried up (Gen. 8:12, 13). Noah waited one month and twenty-six days before he disembarked in the second month, the 27th day of his 601st year. From beginning to end, the Flood lasted one year and ten days from Gen. 7:11 to Gen. 8:14. Blot out (wipe)(04229) machah means to twipe, to wipe out and is often connected with divine judgment as with God wiping out all life in the flood (Ge 6:7, Ge 7:23); Amalek (Ex 17:14+), destroying Jerusalem (2 Ki 21:13); threatening to wipe out Israel's name (Dt. 9:14). Ps. 51:1 = "blot out my transgressions"; Ps. 51:9 = "blot out all my iniquities. " Ps 69:28 = " May they be blotted out of the book of life." Maachah - 30v - blot(12), blotted(11), destroys(1), utterly blot(1), wash off(1), wipe(1), wipe...away(1), wiped(1), wipes(3), wiping(1). Gen. 6:7; Gen. 7:4; Gen. 7:23; Exod. 17:14; Exod. 32:32; Exod. 32:33; Num. 5:23; Deut. 9:14; Deut. 25:6; Deut. 25:19; Deut. 29:20; Jdg. 21:17; 2 Ki. 14:27; 2 Ki. 21:13; Neh. 4:5; Neh. 13:14; Ps. 9:5; Ps. 51:1; Ps. 51:9; Ps. 69:28; Ps. 109:13; Ps. 109:14; Prov. 6:33; Prov. 30:20; Prov. 31:3; Isa. 25:8; Isa. 43:25; Isa. 44:22; Jer. 18:23; Ezek. 6:6 Bolt out (erase, wipe away) (1813) exaleipho from ek = out, intensive [adds sense of "completely" - see also Vincent's note below] + aleipho = wipe, cover over, besmear) means literally to completely wipe off. Literally exaleipho means to remove by wiping off, as when a blackboard is erased. The word was applied to the process of obliterating writing on any material. Some of the uses in Scripture retain this literal meaning but most uses speak of a figurative blotting out or wiping off. The idea in all the uses is to cause something to cease by obliterating or eliminating any evidence. Twice in the Revelation God promises He will wipe away every tear. A number of uses in both OT (Septuagint) and the NT use this verb to describe the blotting out or wiping away of sins. Exaleipho was used by Thucydides of whitewashing a wall. Steven
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Morris - The exact date of the Flood's onset must have been noted for some reason. The ark landed on the mountains of Ararat exactly 150 days or five months later (Genesis 8:3,4+). The implication is that the primeval year contained twelve months of thirty days each (cf 30 day months in Revelation 11:2,3+, see discussion above). On the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates (arubbah) of the sky were opened - The fountains and the floodgates opening is clearly a supernatural act of Yahweh. Great volcanic explosions and eruptions are clearly implied in this description. This activity would continue for 150 days until "the floodgates of the deep...were closed" (Ge 8:2+), by the same One Who had closed the door of the Ark! Henry Morris on the fountains of the great deep - The physical cause of the Flood is clearly identified as the eruption of the waters in the "great deep" and the opening of the "windows of heaven." These are quite sufficient in themselves to explain all the phenomena of the Flood. The antediluvian hydrologic cycle was apparently controlled by a system of subterranean pressurized reservoirs and conduits, but these fountains were all cleaved open in one day, releasing tremendous quantities of water and magma to the earth's surface and dust and gas into the atmosphere. The resulting combination of atmospheric turbulence and dust nuclei of condensation was probably the immediate cause of the precipitation of the vapor canopy. The cataclysmic restoration of the primeval deep which resulted left the antediluvian world completely devastated. (BORROW The Defender's Study Bible) Whitcomb - the expression “fountains of the great deep were broken up” points unmistakably to vast geological disturbances that are incompatible with the local-Flood concept, especially when these disturbances are said to have continued for five months. (BORROW The Genesis Flood The Biblical Record and Its Scientific Implications) Bob Utley on the floodgates of the sky - It is uncertain what this term means. It is something that lets something through. (1) windows ‒ Gen. 7:11; 8:2; 2 Ki 7:2,19; Isa. 24:18; Mal. 3:10, (2) lattice ‒ Eccl. 12:3, (3) chimney ‒ Hosea 13:3 NET NOTE - The Hebrew term תְּהוֹם (téhom, “deep”) refers to the watery deep, the salty ocean—especially the primeval ocean that surrounds and underlies the earth (see Gen 1:2). The watery deep. (fountains of the great deep) The same Hebrew term used to describe the watery deep in Gen 1:2 (תְּהוֹם, tihom) appears here. The text seems to picture here subterranean waters coming from under the earth and contributing to the rapid rise of water. (ED: INTERESTING POINT) The significance seems to be, among other things, that in this judgment God was returning the world to its earlier condition of being enveloped with water—a judgment involving the reversal of creation. On Gen 7:11 see G. F. Hasel, “The Fountains of the Great Deep,” Origins 1 (1974): 67–72; idem, “The Biblical View of the Extent of the Flood,” Origins 2 (1975): 77–95. Floodgates (windows) (0699) arubbah A feminine noun meaning floodgate (Gen. 7:11; 8:2) , a lattice, window (Eccl. 12:3), sluice, a chimney (lattice opening where smoke escapes). Figuratively, it refers to in general to God’s ability to provide an abundance of anything (2Ki 7:2, 19) but also to the windows through which God pours judgments from on high (Isa 24:18). Symbolically ARUBBAH can refer to lattices, nests or roosts (KJV, NIV windows) for safety (Isa. 60:8). Two unique uses of arubbah are (1) window, in the sense of a “chimney” through which smoke passes (Hos 13:3), and (2) the small opening in a pigeon loft (Isa 60:8). The royal officer of King Jehoram used the word arubbah in mocking unbelief at Elisha's incredible prophecy in 2Ki 7:1+, declaring "Behold, if the LORD should make windows (arubbah) in heaven, could this thing be?” Then he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.” (2Ki 7:2+) Victor Hamilton writes "The reference to “those who look out of windows are darkened” (Eccl 12:3) is probably not a poetical reference to the eyes which become dim with old age, but to some funereal practice (Dahood), or some disaster of unidentifiable nature (Sawyer)." (TWOT) ARUBBAH - 9V - chimney(1), floodgates(2), lattices(1), windows(5). Gen. 7:11; Gen. 8:2; 2 Ki. 7:2; 2 Ki. 7:19; Eccl. 12:3; Isa. 24:18; Isa. 60:8; Hos. 13:3; Mal. 3:10 Gilbrant - The word ʾărubbāh is first used in Gen. 7:11; 8:2, and has the meaning “window.” Many translations render the word “floodgate,” which is a more appropriate metaphorical term for the source of severe rain. It is used nine times in the OT, always with the meaning of some form of opening. In the Genesis account of the flood, the word is used to describe the channels through which the waters of God’s judgment pour. God sends not only means of judgment, but blessing, as in Mal. 3:10: “I will open on your behalf the windows of the heavens and pour out for your sake a blessing” (see also 2 Ki. 7:2, 19). Two other meanings occur in prophetic literature. Hosea (13:3) uses ʾărubbāh to mean a chimney, the opening through which smoke passes. Isaiah 60:8 uses this noun to describe the small opening in a pigeon loft. In Ecc. 12:3, “windows” is probably not a reference to increasingly poor eyesight (in aging), but to some funeral practice or undetermined disaster. (Complete Biblical Library) Jack Arnold - There are several theories about where the great amounts of water came from: 1. Canopy Theory. The proponents of this theory say that before the Flood there was a water canopy that surrounded the earth (Gen. 1:7). They think the earth at one time was very much like the planet Saturn today, surrounded by rings, forming a canopy over the earth. Many scientists believe that the rings of Saturn are made up of ice particles, which would, of course, be water, suspended in vast, thick rings around the planet. If something like that were true of the earth of that day, then perhaps the Flood represents a collapse of that canopy of vapor, water, or ice. NOTE: This accounts for the sudden death of not just a few but large numbers of great mammoths and other animals suddenly imbedded in ice. These animals are being discovered in the Arctic regions. Evidently at one time the area was tropical, but it was suddenly plunged into sub-freezing temperatures of such intensity that animals immediately perished, frozen in a quick deep-freeze. They are discovered now with buttercups still in their mouths, unchewed, so sudden was their death! 2. Heavenly Body Theory. These proponents say that all the water can be accounted for by the near approach to earth of a heavenly body. Today scientists are watching the approach to earth of a heavenly body, one of the asteroids, a miniature planet called “Icarus” which is nearing the earth at a great speed. They are saying the earth is now safe. Yet, they admit that if Icarus deviated less than one percent from its course, it would swing into a collision with the earth. POINT: It is a possibility that the near approach of a planetary body to the earth in Noah’s day upset the whole gravitational equilibrium of the earth, raised the ocean levels, created tides both of water and possibly of the solid earth itself, and thus caused the flood. Perhaps this heavenly body also had a vapor trail that turned to ice when it hit earth’s atmosphere and put great sheets of ice on the earth, which we now know as glaciers. 3. Conclusion. The Canopy Theory is still the best approach to the subject of where the waters came from, and Morris comments: Occasionally, critics say there was not enough water to cover the earth. There is an equivalent depth of water vapor in the present atmosphere of less than two inches and this would hardly suffice for such a catastrophe.” But there is plenty of water in the present ocean basins if the topography were slightly redistributed. If the earth’s crust were evened out to form a smooth ball the waters in the oceans would cover it to a depth of nearly two miles! These oceans now contain, of course, the tremendous quantities of water that came up from “the fountains of the great deep” and down from “the windows of heaven” during the Flood. (Henry Morris, Science, Scripture and Salvation) QUESTION - What is the canopy theory? ANSWER - The canopy theory seeks to explain the reference in Genesis 1:6 to “the waters above the firmament,” assuming that “firmament,” or “expanse,” as the Hebrew word is alternatively translated, refers to our atmosphere. According to the canopy theory, there was a canopy of water above the atmosphere until the cataclysm of Noah’s day, at which point it disappeared either by collapsing upon the earth or dissipating into space. It is presumed to have consisted of water vapor because a canopy of ice could not have survived the constant bombardment of celestial objects like meteoroids which perpetually barrage the earth’s atmosphere. While Genesis 1:20 (KJV) does say that birds fly in the firmament, suggesting the earth’s atmosphere, it also says that the sun, moon and stars reside there (Genesis 1:14-17), suggesting the entire sky from the earth’s surface outward, where birds fly and celestial objects reside. The Hebrew word alternatively translated “firmament” in some translations and “expanse” in others is raqiya. It appears nine times throughout the first chapter of Genesis (in verses 6-8, 14-18 and 20) and eight more times throughout the rest of the Old Testament (in Psalms, Ezekiel and Daniel). According to Genesis, before there was air or land or any form of life, the earth was a formless mass of primordial water. On the second day of creation, God created the raqiya, placing it in the midst of the water, thereby separating it into two parts: “the waters above the firmament [raqiya]” and the waters below it. The waters below the raqiya He named “sea” (yam in Hebrew) and the raqiya itself He named “heaven,” “air” or “sky,” depending on your translation of the Hebrew word shamayim. But Genesis does not provide a name for the waters above the raqiya, nor is there any water above our atmosphere today, assuming that raqiya does mean “atmosphere.” Advocates of the canopy theory once speculated that the collapse of such a vapor canopy might have provided the water for the heavy rains which inundated the earth during Noah’s flood. One problem with the canopy theory, however, is, the latent heat of water and the sheer quantities of water involved. If such a vapor canopy were to collapse into rain, it would literally cook the entire planet. This is because when water converts from vapor to liquid, energy or latent heat is released in the process, causing the surrounding area to heat up; this is known as an exothermic result. Conversely, when water converts from solid form—ice—to liquid or from liquid to vapor, energy is absorbed and the surrounding area is cooled—an endothermic result. The Genesis account calls for five-and-a-half weeks of constant rain. If a canopy consisting of enough water vapor to provide that amount of rain were to collapse, it would cook the entire planet. This is not to say that there was no vapor canopy or that it did not collapse, only that, if it did, it could not have provided the amount of rain in question (the less water, the less heat). It is interesting to note that, if a frozen canopy were able to exist in the atmosphere despite cosmic bombardment, its collapse into liquid rain would have an extreme cooling effect and might be an explanation for the commencement of the Ice Age. Despite the fact that we know that it happened, the complex factors involved in getting an Ice Age started makes it seem impossible and baffles modern science to this day. Advocates of the canopy theory also cite the existence of a canopy as a possible cause for a variety of pre-flood anomalies, including human longevity and the apparent lack of rain or rainbows. They claim that such a canopy would filter out much of the cosmic radiation that is harmful to humans and cause the lack of rain or rainbows. However, opponents dispute such a canopy’s ability to produce these results. In defense of the view that raqiya means “atmosphere,” the reference in Genesis 1:14-17 to the sun, moon and stars residing there may have simply been a phenomenological statement, just as our modern terms “sunset” and “sunrise” are phenomenological descriptions. That is, we know full well that the sun is stationary and doesn’t really “rise” or “set,” despite our usage of terms implying its movement from our earth-bound vantage point. Whatever the case may be, there is no canopy up there today and any suggestion that there was one in the past is speculation because there simply isn’t enough evidence one way or the other, except for the one enigmatic reference to waters above the firmament in Genesis 1:6, and no one claims to know for sure what that means. GotQuestions.org Genesis 7:12 The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. forty - Ge 7:4,17 Ex 24:18 De 9:9,18 10:10 1Ki 19:8 Mt 4:2 Genesis 7 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries 40/40 RAIN The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights (See Chronology) - Just as God had decreed so it came to pass. It always does, beloved. God is faithful to perfectly carry out His word. THOUGHT - What promises of God do you need to believe today? His timing may not be our timing, but He is always true to His Word. Note that although the rain stopped after forty days (27th day of 3rd month) the water level continued to rise for another 110 days and reached its peak after 150 days (Ge 7:24), the Ark resting on Mt Ararat (Ge 8:4). Steven
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Morris - Even conservative Christians, although professing belief in the divine inspiration of Scripture, have often ignored the significance of the Flood. They have been intimidated by the evolutionary geologists and paleontologists who, for over a hundred years, have insisted that all of earth history should be explained in terms of slow development over great ages by the operation of the same natural processes which now prevail, completely rejecting the concept of the universal Flood at the dawn of history. Many Christians have attempted to work out a compromise with evolutionary geology by explaining the Flood as a local flood, caused by a great overflow of the Euphrates or some other river in the Middle East. It must be settled here, therefore, first of all, that the Bible record does describe a universal, world-destroying Flood. (BORROW The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings) Genesis 7:18 The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. water prevailed - Ex 14:28 Job 22:16 Ps 69:15 ark - Ps 104:26 Genesis 7 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries THE ARK IS AFLOAT The water prevailed (gabar; Lxx - epikrateo) and increased greatly upon the earth - Note the emphasis in these two verses (Ge 7:17-18). In Ge 7:17 the water increased and in Ge 7:18 it prevailed and increased greatly. Clearly the Spirit wants us to see that was a ever growing global flood. Morris on prevailed (gabar) - The word "prevailed" in the original Hebrew conveys the meaning, "were overwhelmingly mighty." Not only would all land animals eventually drown, but the plant covering would be uprooted and rafted away, the soils eroded and finally even the mountains and hills washed away. In the sea depths, the eruption of the fountains of the great deep would also profoundly affect marine life. Great quantities of magma, metals and other materials were extruded from the earth's mantle. The sediments from the lands were transported down to be deposited in the encroaching sea basins. Complex hydrodynamic phenomena--tsunamis, vortices, turbidity flows, cyclic erosion and deposition, and a variety of geomorphologic activity--took place throughout the year. Earth movements of great magnitude and tremendous volcanic explosions shook the earth again and again, until finally, "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (2 Peter 3:6). (BORROW The Defender's Study Bible) NET NOTE - Hebrew = “and the waters were great and multiplied exceedingly.” The first verb in the sequence is וַיִּגְבְּרוּ (vayyigbéru, from גָּבַר, gavar), meaning “to become great, mighty.” The waters did not merely rise; they “prevailed” over the earth, overwhelming it. And the ark (tebah; Lxx = kibotos) floated on the surface of the water - This is not an insignificant statement for clearly there was considerable tumult produced by the fountains of the great deep burst open. The point is that God "steered" the Ark away from those areas where fountains burst open and He successfully stirred them for 150 days. As an aside, I see no evidence that the Ark had any steering capability. There is no mention for example of a rudder. Noah was the human captain, for there was no need because they had a divine captain. Parunak: The same event that brings death to the world, lifts up the ark and delivers Noah and his family. We need to learn to see God’s providential blessing even in things that the world considers disasters. Cf. the murder of Christ, which brings judgment to the unbeliever but salvation to us, Acts 2:23. More generally, Ro 8:28. Prevailed (01396)(gabar) means to be strong, mighty, to be strong, to prevail. Of human/physical strength (Eccl 10:10). Of superior strength over another (Ex 17:11). Of something more abundant or superior (Ge 49:26, Ge 7:18-20, Jer 9:3). Figuratively describes the unity of friendship (1Sa 1:23). The godly prevail because the Lord strengthens them (1Sa 2:9; Zech 10:6). Gilbrant - Gāvar (gabar) and the other derivatives of the same root are associated with might and strength, often in the context of war. This verb is usually translated to "be strong," "to prevail" or "to have strength." The verb is attested in Old Aramaic, Mishnaic Hebrew, Targumic Aramaic, Syriac, Mandaic, Akkadian and Arabic. A nominal form is attested in Phoenician, Old Aramaic and Moabite. Gāvar occurs in four stems in the Hebrew. The concept of strength is present in all. In the Qal this word usually means "to be superior" or "to prevail." When Joshua fought the Amalekites at Rephidim, the Israelites prevailed when Moses held his hands up, but the Amalekites prevailed when Moses' hands became tired and lowered (Exo. 17:11). In a metaphoric context, Jerusalem weeps because her enemies have prevailed (Lam. 1:16). Gāvar is also used to denote the strength of something. Job asks why the wicked grow strong in power (Job 21:7). In the account of the flood, the waters grew strong, and the water level rose, overpowering the earth (Gen. 7:18ff, 24). Gāvar is sometimes used in the comparative with the preposition min (HED #4623) rendering the meaning "to be stronger." After the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David lamented that they had been stronger than lions (2 Sam. 1:23). In the genealogical lists which begin in 1 Chronicles, Judah is said to have been stronger than his brothers (1 Chr. 5:2). The preposition ʿal (HED #6142) sometimes follows gāvar to mean "to prevail over." In the initial stages of the battle during which Uriah was killed, the enemy (as expected) was prevailing over Joab's army (2 Sam. 11:23). The psalmist declares that the Lord's steadfast love toward his people is great or strong (Ps. 117:2; see also Ps. 103:11). In the Piel stem this word has a causative meaning. Through the prophet Zechariah, the Lord promised to cause Judah to become strong (Zech. 10:6, 12). In Ecclesiastes, gāvar is used with chayil (HED #2524) for one who becomes strong in strength or exerts all one's strength (Ecc. 10:10). Only one Hiphil, usage is found since the Piel is causative for this word. The angel Gabriel told Daniel, in an apocalyptic context, of a strong or firm covenant that a wicked ruler would make with many people after the sixty-two periods of seven years (Dan. 9:27). Gāvar is used in the Hithpael in Isa. 42:13 as the Lord shows himself mighty against his enemies. The Book of Job describes the wicked and the righteous, who are arrogant toward God (Job 15:25; 36:9). (Complete Biblical Library) Gabar - 24v - become(1), conducts himself arrogantly(1), exert(1), great(2), magnified(1), make a firm(1), prevail(5), prevailed(9), strengthen(2), stronger(1), surpassed(1). Gen. 7:18; Gen. 7:19; Gen. 7:20; Gen. 7:24; Gen. 49:26; Exod. 17:11; 1 Sam. 2:9; 2 Sam. 1:23; 2 Sam. 11:23; 1 Chr. 5:2; Job 15:25; Job 21:7; Job 36:9; Ps. 12:4; Ps. 65:3; Ps. 103:11; Ps. 117:2; Eccl. 10:10; Isa. 42:13; Jer. 9:3; Lam. 1:16; Dan. 9:27; Zech. 10:6; Zech. 10:12 Epikrateo (from epi = upon + krateo = be strong or possess power and thus means to take hold of, grasp, hold fast) means to have power, to hold power, to prevail over, to get the mastery of (Ge 47:20), to rule over (Ezra 4:20). Note both uses in Ge 7:18-19 are in the imperfect tense indicating the idea of over and over and fits with the phrase in Ge 7:19 of more and more (a vivid picture of the power of water to overwhelm land). Also in Ge 7:20, 24. Henry Morris - In the next several verses of Genesis 7 appear a considerable number of reasons to prove that the Bible is describing a worldwide Flood, not a local flood. Some of these are as follows: (1) The wording of the entire record, both here and throughout Genesis 6–9, could not be improved on, if the intention of the writer was to describe a universal Flood; as a description of a river overflow, it is completely misleading and exaggerated, to say the least. (2) Expressions involving universality of the Flood and its effects occur more than thirty times in Genesis 6–9. (3) The Flood “was [or better, ‘was coming’] forty days upon the earth.” A continual downpour lasting for forty days, concurrently with a bursting of great clefts in the crust (Ge 7:11–12) would be impossible under present uniformitarian conditions. (4) The Flood which came on the earth was the mabbul a word used solely in connection with the Noahic Flood. The ordinary Hebrew words for a local flood are not used here at all. (5) The water rise was quickly sufficient to “bear up the ark,” indicating a depth of at least twenty feet in the earliest stages of the Flood, since the Ark was at least forty-four feet high and heavily loaded. As already noted, the Ark was far too large to accommodate a mere regional fauna and was more than adequate to house two of every species of land animal in the whole world, living or extinct. (6) As the rains continued, the waters “prevailed,” (gabar) a word which means, literally, “were overwhelmingly mighty,” and would be quite inappropriate in the setting of a local flood. Job 12:15 says that the waters “overturned the earth.” (7) The construction, outfitting, and stocking of the Ark, so that it “went upon the face of the waters” had all been an absurd waste of time and money if the Flood were to be only a local flood. Migration would have been a far better solution to the problem, for Noah as well as the birds and beasts. (8) The waters covered all the “high hills” and the “mountains” (“hills” and “mountains” are the same word in the original, the repetition being a case of Hebrew parallelism for the purpose of emphasis). (Ge 7:19,20) (9) The waters not only “were overwhelmingly mighty” (translated “prevailed” in Ge 7:18) but “prevailed exceedingly” over the earth. (10) All the mountains “under the whole heaven” were inundated under at least fifteen cubits of water (half the height of the Ark, probably representing its depth of submergence), telling us that the Ark could float freely over all the mountains. These would patently include at least the mountains of Ararat, the highest peak of which reaches 17,000 feet. A 17,000-foot Flood is not a local flood! (11) The mountains were “covered.” The Hebrew word here, kasah, conveys a very positive emphasis; it could well be rendered “overwhelmed,” as it is translated in some instances. The waters not only inundated the mountains but eventually washed them away. (12) A double superlative—“all the high mountains under all the heavens”—cannot possibly allow the use of the word “all” here in a “relative” sense, as sometimes maintained by proponents of the local flood theory. Genesis 7:21–23 (13) “All flesh died that moved upon the earth.” In a local flood, most of the fauna can escape death by fleeing the rising waters or by swimming to dry ground if necessary (or by flying away, in the case of birds); but this would be impossible in a universal Flood. (14) “Every man” died, in accordance with the very purpose of the Flood. In a local flood, most people escape. Furthermore, there is no longer any question that ancient man occupied the entire globe at a date (as calculated by anthropologists, at least) much earlier than the date of any supposed “local flood” corresponding to the event described in Genesis. A local flood would not have reached “every man.” (15) Not only did everything with “the breath of life” die (this including animals, as well as man, further confirming that animals possess the ruach, or “spirit” of life), but so was “every living substance destroyed.” The word translated “living substance” is one word in Hebrew, yequm, and is simply translated “substance” in Deuteronomy 11:6. It clearly refers here to vegetation, as well as animals. In fact, God had told Noah: “I will destroy man with the earth” (Genesis 6:13). (16) Only Noah and those with him in the Ark survived the Flood, so that all present men are descended from Noah’s three sons (see also Genesis 9:1, 19). Likewise, all the earth’s present dry-land animals came of those on the Ark (Genesis 8:17, 19; 9:10). The very purpose of God had been to destroy all other living men (Genesis 6:7) and land animals (Genesis 6:17, 7:22). Genesis 7:24 For the third time the word “prevailed” (gabar) is used, this time indicating that the waters prevailed 150 days. It was not until after this period that the “fountains of the deep” and the “windows of heaven” were shut (Ge 8:2) and the waters began to retreat. The extreme duration of the Flood indicates still further Biblical reasons for regarding it as universal. (17) No local flood continues to rise for 150 days. (18) Even after the waters began to abate, and the Ark grounded on the highest of the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:4), it was another 21/2 months before the tops of other mountains could be seen (8:5). (19) Even after four months of receding flood waters, the dove sent out by Noah could find no dry land on which to light (8:9). (20) It was over an entire year (7:11; 8:13) before enough land had been exposed to permit the occupants to leave the Ark. In view of all the above considerations, it is almost inconceivable that men professing to believe the Bible could endorse the local flood theory. Nevertheless, many evangelicals have been so intimidated by the pretensions of modern scholarship that they would sooner give up “the praise of God” than “the praise of men” (John 12:43). To the above twenty reasons may be appended the following additional Biblical reasons for believing in a worldwide flood:1 (21) God’s promise never to send such a Flood again (Genesis 8:21; 9:11, 15) has been broken repeatedly if it were only a local or regional flood. (22) The New Testament uses a unique term (kataklusmos, “cataclysm”) for the Flood (Matthew 24:39; Luke 17:27; 2 Peter 2:5; 3:6) instead of the usual Greek word for “flood.” (23) New cosmological conditions came into being after the Flood, including sharply denned seasons (Genesis 8:22), the rainbow along with rain (Genesis 2:5; 9:13–14), and enmity between man and beasts (Genesis 9:2). (24) Man’s longevity began a long, slow decline immediately after the Flood (compare Genesis 5 and Genesis 11). (25) Later Biblical writers accepted the universal Flood (note Job 12:15; 22:16; Psalm 29:10; 104:6–9; Isaiah 54:9; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5; 3:5, 6; Hebrews 11:7). (26) The Lord Jesus Christ accepted the historicity and universality of the Flood, even making it the climactic sign and type of the coming worldwide judgment when He returns (Matthew 24:37–39; Luke 17:26, 27). (BORROW The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings) James Smith - “THE WATERS PREVAILED.” Ge 7:18: Mt 24:37–39 The waters of judgment shall ultimately prevail against all ungodliness. See here an example of— 1. The waters prevailing over their unbelief. 2. The waters prevailing over all their indifference. 3. The waters prevailing over all their pleasures. 4. The waters prevailing over all their efforts to save themselves. Genesis 7:19 The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. all the high mountains everywhere - Job 12:15 Ps 46:2,3 104:6-9 Jer 3:23 2Pe 3:6 Genesis 7 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries Mesopotamia A PREVAILING FLOOD COVERS ALL MOUNTAINS The water prevailed (gabar; Lxx - epikrateo) more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered (kacah/kasah; Lxx = epikalupto) - So that marks the result of the rising waters. Where are some high mountains that would be "everywhere"? Clearly the massive Himalayan Mountains would (1) be included in the description of "everywhere" and (2) are declared as covered over by the flood! If you cannot see a global event in phrase the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered then you are not reading it literally. I see articles even from evangelical sources that suggest a possible regional flood, but to do so is to ignore verses like Ge 7:19. If we read this verse literally the conclusion is clear that this was not a regional flood (see map of region of Mesopotamia above) but a global flood. THOUGHT - Skeptics will persist in their skepticism no matter what the text says or the geological evidence reveals because to acknowledge Genesis 6-8 as truth means that there is a God Who has judged the ancient world's sin and will someday judge their sin when they die. They want to try to sweep that truth under the rug instead of putting it under the blood (of Jesus which would wash them white as snow!) NET NOTE - Heb “and the waters were great exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition emphasizes the depth of the waters. Morris on all the high mountain - The double superlative precludes the use of "all" in a relative sense here. The obvious intent of the writer was to describe a universal inundation.
Gênesis 7
Morris writes that "The waters were 15 cubits (22.5 feet) above the highest mountains, patently including Mount Ararat, which is now 17,000 feet high. In the "local-flood" theory, Mount Ararat would have had the same elevation before and after the flood, but it is obvious that a 17,000 foot flood is not a local flood. (BORROW The Defender's Study Bible) Covered (concealed) (03680) kacah/kasah means literally to cover as the frogs covered Egypt (Ex 8:6), the Shekinah glory cloud the cloud of God’s glory covered Mount Sinai or the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex 24:15 Nu 9:16), the waters of the Red Sea covered the Egyptians (Ex 15:5). In its figurative sense kacah can describe dishonor or shame covering the guilty (Ps 69:7; Jer. 3:25) or the Israelites’ covering the altar with tears (Mal 2:13). Kasah can mean keep to oneself, not respond with knowledge, i.e., keep information from others, though known and understood by oneself (Pr 12:16, 23). Cover for clothing or secrecy as in Ge 9:23. In a metaphorical sense, kasah describes shame covering the guilty (Ps. 69:7; Jer. 3:25; Hab. 2:17), the Israelites' covering the altar with tears (Mal. 2:13), the concealing of Joseph's blood to hide his brothers' guilt and sin (Ge 37:26). In contrast David he psalmist found reconciliation with God by not concealing his sin but confessing it (Ps 32:5; Pr 10:11). Jack Arnold - THE FLOOD: UNIVERSAL OR LOCAL? Some evangelical scholars today are questioning whether the flood was universal; that is, did it cover the whole earth? (The issue is over the meaning of “whole earth” (Ge 8:9). Some say that this can be translated “whole land” speaking of a localized flood in the Mesopotamia basin. The Arguments Against a Localized Flood 1. Depth of the Flood. The Floodwaters went 15 cubits above the tops of the mountains (Ge 7:20). This depth was evidently the depth to which the ark sank in the water, half its height, so that it could now float freely over the highest mountaintops. NOTE: Mount Ararat, where the ark landed, is over 17,000 feet high, and it is in the Mesopotamia basin. If the waters covered that mountain alone, it could not have been a local flood. 2. Duration of the Flood. The great amounts of water over a long period of time would produce no local flood. The slow rate of decline for the water level is cited as showing that it had to be more than a local deluge. 3. Need for an Ark. If it was only a local flood, Noah and his family could have moved over to a dry area by the warning of God. He could have migrated rather than built an ark 4. Expressions of Universality (Ge 6:7,17; 7:4; 8:9,21; 9:11,15). These expressions certainly indicate that the Flood was universal. 5. Peter’s Statement. In 2 Peter 3:3-7, Peter speaks of the “earth that then was”, which definitely indicates that the flood was a worldwide catastrophe. 6. Testimony of Christ (Luke 17:27). He testifies to the fact of the Flood and says it “destroyed them all.” This is a statement of universality for all men on the earth had to be touched by the Flood, and surely men had migrated out of the Mesopotamian basin by this time. 7. Promise of God (Ge 9:11). God promised that He would never destroy the world again by flood, and this would have little meaning if it were only a localized flood. There are many who have died in local floods since the days of Noah. 8. Ancient Records. A universal flood is mentioned in the records of almost all ancient peoples. The Sumerians, Babylonians and Egyptians all have recorded history of the Flood but most of them are distorted and are obviously not factual. But it shows that ancient men had a concept of a universal flood, for all post-Flood people descended from Noah and his sons. (cf. Morris and Whitcomb, Genesis Flood, pp. 38-39). Genesis 7:21 All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; Ge 7:4 6:6,7,13,17 Job 22:15-17 Isa 24:6,19 Jer 4:22-27 12:3,4 Ho 4:3 Joe 1:17-20 2:3 Zep 1:3 Mt 24:38, 39+, Lk 17:26, 27+ Ro 8:20,22 2Pe 2:5 Genesis 7 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries ALL FLESH ON EARTH PERISHED! All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind - This verse clearly supports a global flood and global death. You ask how is that so? Well, even if man had not spread throughout the globe (which some skeptics claim), surely the wild animals had spread and even if they had not spread, do you think they would have remained in the region of a flood and died? I do not think so, for surely they would have fled to higher ground. And what about the birds? They could have easily migrated thousands of miles to areas that were not flooded. But then God's Word would not be true, for here we see all the animals on the earth perished. Could it be much clearer? I think not! Moses is recording the description of a global flood. One does not need geological discoveries to buttress support that this was a global flood! I am thankful for the "creation" websites that record the corroborating geological evidence, but God's Word by itself is enough for me. If I have difficulty believing truth like this, then frankly I would have difficulty in believing that One Man on a Cross instantaneously took all of sins past, present and future away! THOUGHT - If you think that belief in the truths in Genesis 1-11 is not important, then I would have you read one of the most incredible stories of apostasy that I have ever read (other than that of Judas Iscariot). Take a moment and read the Tragic Tale of Charles Templeton and pay careful attention to when his beliefs began to falter. I think you might be surprised. I will give you a clue -- it was not in the New Testament but in the Old! Genesis 7:22 of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. breath of life - Heb. breath of the spirit of life, Ge 2:7 Ge 6:17 Genesis 7 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died - To perished in v21 is added died. The writer is saying God's prediction that all flesh would die (Ge 6:17) is fully fulfilled. Genesis 7:23 Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. every living substance - Ge 7:21,22 Job 22:15-17 Isa 24:1-8 Mt 24:38+, Lk 17:26, 27+ 1Pe 3:20 2Pe 2:5 and Noah - Ex 14:28-30 Job 5:19 Ps 91:1,9,10 Pr 11:4 Eze 14:14-20 Mal 3:17,18 Mt 25:46 Heb 11:7 1Pe 3:20 2Pe 2:5,9 3:6 Genesis 7 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries ALL CREATURES ON LAND AND SKY BLOTTED OUT Thus He blotted out (machah; Lxx = exaleipho) every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out (machah; Lxx = exaleipho) from the earth - Note the emphasis on death in this passage (added to "all flesh...perished" Ge 7:21, "all...died" Ge 7:22) = "blotted out." God has "wiped the slate clean" so to speak! God has exterminated the vermin from the earth. Steven