Gênesis 7

Gênesis 7

MacArthur - Lest there be any doubt, Moses adds “under the whole heaven” (cf. 2Pe 3:5–7). There are over 270 flood stories told in cultures all over the earth (ED: SEE NOTES), which owe their origin to this one global event. (See MSB Notes) Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - At the present day every mountain where search has been made, conspire in one uniform, universal proof that they all had the sea spread over their highest summits; shells, skeletons of fish, etc., having been found there. John Whitcomb and Henry Morris in the subtopic THE DEPTH OF THE FLOOD (BORROW The Genesis Flood The Biblical Record and Its Scientific Implications) state that "One of the most important Biblical arguments for a universal Flood is the statement of Genesis 7:19–20: And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.1 One need not be a professional scientist to realize the tremendous implications of these Biblical statements. If only one (to say nothing of all) of the high mountains (The present Mt. Ararat, on or near which the Ark was said to have grounded, is some 17,000 feet in elevation! Of course, unless uniformitarianism be presupposed, it is not necessary to assume that antediluvian mountains were this high. See below, pp. 266–270.) had been covered with water, the Flood would have been absolutely universal; for water must seek its own level—and must do so quickly! Herbert C. Leupold makes the following statement concerning the exegesis and interpretation of this crucial text of Scripture: A measure of the waters is now made by comparison with the only available standard for such waters—the mountains. They are said to have been “covered.” Not merely a few but “all the high mountains under all the heavens.” One of these expressions alone would almost necessitate the impression that the author intends to convey the idea of the absolute universality of the Flood, e.g., “all the high mountains.” Yet since “all” is known to be used in a relative sense, the writer removes all possible ambiguity by adding the phrase “under all the heavens.” A double “all” (kol) cannot allow for so relative a sense. It almost constitutes a Hebrew superlative. So we believe that the text disposes of the question of the universality of the Flood. (BORROW H. C. Leupold, Exposition of Genesis page 300) The phrase “fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail” does not mean that the Flood was only fifteen cubits (22 feet) deep, for the phrase is qualified by the one which immediately follows: “and the mountains were covered.” Nor does it necessarily mean that the mountains were covered to a depth of only fifteen cubits, for this would require that all antediluvian mountains be exactly the same altitude. The true meaning of the phrase is to be found in comparing it with Genesis 6:15, where we are told that the height of the Ark was thirty cubits. Nearly all commentators agree that the phrase “fifteen cubits” in Ge 7:20 must therefore refer to the draught (the depth of water needed for a boat to be able to float:) of the Ark. In other words, the Ark sank into the water to a depth of fifteen cubits (just one-half of its total height) when fully laden. Such information adds further support to this particular argument for a universal Flood, because it tells us that the Flood “prevailed” over the tops of the highest mountains to a depth of at least fifteen cubits. If the Flood had not covered the mountains by at least such a depth, the Ark could not have floated over them during the five months in which the waters “prevailed” upon the earth. Genesis 7:20 The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. and the mountains - Ps 104:6 Jer 3:23 Genesis 7 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries Mount Ararat, 16, 854 ft High MOUNTAINS COVERED BY THE FLOOD The water prevailed fifteen cubits (22.5 feet - see cubit) higher, and the mountains were covered (kacah/kasah; Lxx = epikalupto) - Obviously, a flood of twenty feet did not cover the mountains; the statement must mean the flood rose about 22.5 above the highest mountain. It seems that the writer wants to make sure we understand the mountains were covered (but not with snow!) This does not sound (or look) like a regional flood! Look at Mt Ararat in the picture above (which surely would qualify as a "high mountain" in Ge 7:19) and then envision water 22.5 feet above that peak! And then try to imagine (and it will take a lot of imagination!) that such a flood of this magnitude was only present in the region of Mesopotamia (see map of Mesopotamia). It takes more "faith" to believe the latter (regional flood) than it does to believe God's the former (global flood) in God's sure Word of Truth! NET NOTE - Heb “rose fifteen cubits.” Since a cubit is considered by most authorities to be about eighteen inches, this would make the depth 22.5 feet.