Old Testament · Genesis

Genesis 7

King James Version · Study Bible

Author

Moses

Written

~1446-1406 BC

Key Theme

Divine judgment and covenantal grace

Setting

Pre-flood Antediluvian world

Key Verse

Genesis 7:5

Total Verses

24

Chapter Introduction

The voice will be warm, deep, plain-spoken. We'll write about God's grace, Noah's obedience.

Chapter

7 of 50

Testament

Old Testament

Verses

24

✦ Chapter Background

Genesis 7 — God's righteous judgment preserves a remnant through obedience, establishing the covenantal foundation for a renewed creation.

After God observes humanity's pervasive corruption in Genesis 6, He resolves to purge the earth with a Flood. Chapter 7 records Noah's obedience in boarding the Ark, the gathering of clean and unclean beasts by sevens, and the initiation of the divine judgment that will last forty days and nights.

צִדְקָה (H6659) — "righteousness, justice"; this word matters because it explains why God chose Noah as the vessel of salvation—His righteousness was the basis for divine favor amidst a corrupt world.

Author

Traditionally Moses; most modern scholars attribute the Priestly (P) source, likely compiled during the post-exilic period.

Written

Traditional view "~1445 BC"; scholarly estimate "~500-400 BC".

Genesis — Chapter 7 — KJV
1

And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Simply PutGod sees Noah as a beacon of righteousness (Hebrew tzaddik, H6674) in a generation gone astray. He calls Noah and his household to the ark, showing that God rescues those who stand for Him even when the world collapses.
2

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

Simply PutThe word "clean" (tah, H8455) points to animals set apart for worship; Noah must take seven of each clean beast and two of the unclean. This double set reminds us that God preserves both what He sets apart and all of creation, even those not used for sacrifice.
3

Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

Simply PutAgain, seven pairs of birds are taken to keep seed alive on the earth (toledot, H8494). In your own life, remember that God values continuity—He keeps the promise of new generations alive even when everything else seems lost.
4

For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

Simply PutGod warns that in seven days He will send rain for forty days and nights, blotting out (Hebrew matsah, H4532) every living thing He made. When you face overwhelming trials, trust that God’s timing is perfect and His judgment comes with purpose.
5

And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

Simply PutNoah obeys every command. This shows us that true faith is simple—trust God and act, even when the task seems impossible.
6

And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

Simply PutNoah was six hundred years old when the flood began, a reminder that God’s plans span generations. Your age or past doesn’t limit when He can move in your life.
7

And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

Simply PutNoah, his family, and the beasts entered the ark because of the flood. In moments of crisis, God provides a shelter that holds everything He promises to keep.
8

Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

Simply PutThe ark held clean beasts, unclean beasts, birds, and every creeping thing. God’s care includes all of creation—from the majestic to the humble.
9

There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

Simply PutTwo of each creature entered, male and female, exactly as God commanded. It’s a reminder that God’s order is the foundation of life’s continuity.
10

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

Simply PutAfter seven days, the waters came upon the earth. The perfect week of preparation shows that God gives time before His mighty work begins.
11

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Simply PutIn Noah’s six hundredth year, the deep was broken up and heaven's windows opened. The Hebrew “floodgates” (H6455) were released, showing that God can open up the heavens for His purposes.
12

And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Simply PutThe rain fell forty days and nights. Such a long period teaches us that God’s discipline can be thorough, yet it always serves to cleanse and restore.
13

In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

Simply PutNoah and his family entered the ark together. The unity of a good family under God’s protection is a picture of spiritual safety.
14

They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

Simply PutEvery beast, cattle, creeping thing, and bird entered after its kind. The Hebrew word “wing” (H2740) hints at the diversity of God's creation, all preserved in order.
15

And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.

Simply PutTwo of every flesh entered where the breath (Hebrew ruach, H7307) of life was. God’s breath is what makes each creature alive; He gathered them within His sanctuary.
16

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

Simply PutThe LORD shut the ark in, sealing Noah’s safety. God’s seal is a promise that He will keep what He starts.
17

And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

Simply PutThe flood lasted forty days, and the waters lifted the ark up. As the waters rose, they carried Noah’s faith higher than before.
18

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

Simply PutThe waters prevailed and grew, covering the earth. This speaks of the overwhelming nature of God’s judgment that no one can escape.
19

And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.

Simply PutThe waters covered all the high hills under heaven. No place on earth was left untouched—God’s reach is total.
20

Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.

Simply PutThe waters rose fifteen cubits, covering the mountains. Even the most solid ground was submerged under God’s design.
21

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:

Simply PutAll flesh that moved on earth died—birds, cattle, beasts, and humans. When sin spreads, the consequences are universal.
22

All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.

Simply PutIn every nostril was the breath of life; all who lived on dry land died. The Hebrew “spirit” (ruach) shows that life’s essence is God-given.
23

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

Simply PutEvery living thing on the ground was destroyed, but Noah and those with him stayed alive. God preserves those who trust Him amidst destruction.
24

And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

Simply PutThe waters prevailed for a hundred and fifty days. God’s work takes time, but He never abandons His promises.
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✦ Cross-References

Genesis 6:22Demonstrates Noah's obedience to the divine command, which is fulfilled in his actions throughout Genesis 7.
Genesis 8:15Shows God's remembrance of Noah and the living creatures after the flood, highlighting the purpose of the preservation in Genesis 7.
Genesis 9:13Establishes the covenantal sign (the rainbow) that follows the flood, directly linked to God's promise after the events of Genesis 7.
2 Peter 3:6Echoes the flood motif by describing the ancient waters that covered the earth, providing a New Testament perspective on the Genesis 7 deluge.

Reflect

When you think about the day Noah and his family entered the ark together, who are the people you would bring with you into your own “ark” of safety and hope during life's storms, and why?