Genesis 7:11 KJV - Bible Verse

Genesis 7:11

"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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life,.... Not complete, but current, for otherwise Noah would have lived after the flood three hundred and fifty one years, whereas he lived but three hundred and fifty; Gen 9:28 . in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month: as the Jews had two ways of beginning their year, one at the spring, and the other at autumn; the one on ecclesiastical accounts, which began at Nisan, and which answers to March and April; and then the second month must be Ijar, which answers to part of April and part of May: and the other on civil accounts, which began at Tisri, and answers to part of September and part of October; and then the second month must be Marchesvan, which answers to part of October and part of November; so they are divided about this month in which the flood was: one says it was Marchesvan; another that it was Ijar (t); a third in particular says (u) it was on the tenth of Marchesvan that all the creatures came together into the ark, and on the seventeenth the waters of the flood descended on the earth; and this is most likely, since this was the most ancient way of beginning the year; for it was not until after the Jews came out of Egypt that they began their year in Nisan on sacred accounts; and besides the autumn was a proper time for Noah's gathering in the fruits of the earth, to lay up in the ark, as well as for the falling of the rains; though others

think it was in the spring, in the most pleasant time of the year, and when the flood was least expected: the Arabic writers (w), contrary to both, and to the Scripture, say, that Noah, with his sons, and their wives, and whomsoever the Lord bid him take into the ark, entered on a Friday, the twenty seventh day of the month Adar or Agar: according to the Chaldean account by Berosus (x), it was predicted that mankind would be destroyed by a flood on the fifteenth of the month Daesius, the second month from the vernal equinox: it is very remarkable what Plutarch (y) relates, that Osiris went into the ark the seventeenth of Athyr, which month is the second after the autumnal equinox, and entirely agrees with the account of Moses concerning Noah: according to Bishop Usher, it was on the seventh of December, on the first day of the week; others the sixth of November; with Mr. Whiston the twenty eighth: the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened; and by both these the flood of waters was brought upon the earth, which drowned it, and all the creatures in it: by the former are meant the vast quantities of subterraneous waters, which are more or greater than we know; and might be greater still at the time of the deluge:"there are large lakes, (as Seneca observes (z),) which we see not, much of the sea that lies hidden, and many rivers that slide in secret:''so that those vast quantities of water in the bowels of the earth being pressed upwards, by the falling down of the earth, or by some other cause unknown to us, as Bishop Patrick observes, gushed out violently in several parts of the earth, where holes and gaps were made, and where they either found or made a vent, which, with the forty days' rain, might well make such a flood as here described: it is observed (a), there are seas which have so many rivers running into them, which must be emptied in an unknown manner, by some subterraneous passages, as the Euxine sea; and particularly it is remarked of the Caspian sea, reckoned in length to be above one hundred and twenty German leagues, and in breadth from east to west about ninety, that it has no visible way for the water to run out, and yet it receives into its bosom near one hundred rivers, and particularly the great river Volga, which is of itself like a sea for largeness, and is supposed to empty so much water into it in a year's time, as might suffice to cover the whole earth, and yet it is never increased nor diminished, nor is it observed to ebb or flow: so that if, says my author, the fountains of the great deep, or these subterraneous passages, were continued to be let loose, without any reflux into them, as Moses supposes, during the time of the rain of forty days and forty nights; and the waters ascended but a quarter of a mile in an hour; yet in forty days it would drain all the waters for two hundred and forty miles deep; which would, no doubt, be sufficient to cover the earth above four miles high: and by the former, "the windows" or flood gates of heaven, or the "cataracts", as the Septuagint version, may be meant the clouds, as Sir Walter Raleigh (b) interprets them; Moses using the word, he says, to express the violence of the rains, and pouring down of waters; for whosoever, adds he, hath seen those fallings of water which sometimes happen in the Indies, which are called "the spouts", where clouds do not break into drops, but fall with a resistless violence in one body, may properly use that manner of speech which Moses did, that the windows or flood gates of heaven were opened, or that the waters fell contrary to custom, and that order which we call natural; God then loosened the power retentive in the uppermost air, and the waters fell in abundance: and another writer upon this observes (c), that thick air is easily turned into water; and that round the earth there is a thicker air, which we call the "atmosphere"; which, the further it is distant from the earth, the thinner it is, and so it grows thinner in proportion, until it loseth all its watery quality: how far this may extend cannot be determined; it may reach as far as the orb of the moon, for aught we know to the contrary; now when this retentive quality of waters was withdrawn, Moses tells us, that "the rain was upon the earth forty days" and "forty nights": and therefore some of it might come so far as to be forty days in falling; and if we allow the rain a little more than ten miles in an hour, or two hundred and fifty miles in a day, then all the watery particles, which were 10,000 miles high, might descend upon the earth; and this alone might be more than sufficient to cover the highest mountains. (We now know that the earth's atmosphere does not extent more than a few miles above the earth's surface, before thinning out rapidly. If all the water vapour in our present atmosphere fell as rain, the ground would be covered to an average depth of less than two inches (d). Even if there was a vapour canopy, this would not be a major source or water. Most of the water came from subterranean sources or volcanic activity. We know that volcanic eruptions spew much steam and water vapour into the atmosphere. This would later fall as rain. For a complete discussion of this see the book in footnote (e). Ed.) (t) In Bab. Roshhashanah, fol. 11. 2. (u) Pirke Eliezer, c. 23. (w) Elmacinus, p. 11. apud Hottinger. p. 251. Abulpharag. Hist. Dynast. p. 8. (x) Apud Syncell. p. 30, 31. (y) De Iside & Osir. (z) Nat. Quaest. l. 3. c. 30. (a) Bedford's Scripture Chronology, c. 12. p. 154. (b) History of the World. B. l. c. 7. sect. 6. (c) Bedford's Scripture Chronology. p. 153. See Scheuchzer. Physica, vol. 1. p. 45. Ray's Physico-Theolog. Discourses, Disc. 2. c. 2. p. 71. (d) The Genesis Flood, Whitcomb and Morris, 1978, The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, p. 121. (e) Ib.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (22 words)

H8141 שָׁנֶה

Definition:

10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t., 10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t.,

Possible Meanings:

year (semantic_range)

H8337 שֵׁשׁ

Definition:

Masculine shishshah {shish-shaw'}; a primitive number; six (as an overplus (seesuws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth -- six((-teen, -teenth)), sixth.see HEBREWsuwsBrown-Driver-B Masculine shishshah {shish-shaw'}; a primitive number; six (as an overplus (seesuws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth -- six((-teen, -teenth)), sixth.see HEBREWsuwsBrown-Driver-B

Possible Meanings:

byssus (semantic_range)

H3967 מֵאָה

Definition:

3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene 3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene

Possible Meanings:

hundred (semantic_range)

H8141 שָׁנֶה

Definition:

Possible Meanings:

year (semantic_range)

H2416 חַי

Definition:

Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat

H5146 נֹחַ

Definition:

29(where traditional etymology), + 40 t.Genesis 5-10(not in E D);1 Chronicles 1:4;נֹחַ דָּנִאֵל וְאִיּוֺבEzekiel 14:14,20;מֵי נֹחַ= floodIsaiah 54:9(twice in verse);ᵐ5Νωε. — On history of interpretion 29(where traditional etymology), + 40 t.Genesis 5-10(not in E D);1 Chronicles 1:4;נֹחַ דָּנִאֵל וְאִיּוֺבEzekiel 14:14,20;מֵי נֹחַ= floodIsaiah 54:9(twice in verse);ᵐ5Νωε. — On history of interpretion

Possible Meanings:

Noah (semantic_range)

H2320 חֹדֶשׁ

Definition:

11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra 11(feminineᵑ0Genesis 38:24butmasculineSam Di)(newness), new moon, month(on formation compare LgBN 144; on usage, names, etc., Muss-ArnJBL 1892, 72 ff., 160 ff.) —׳חabsoluteGenesis 7:11+; construct (ra

H8145 שֵׁנִי

Definition:

13+, etc. (שֵׁנִי82t. +Nehemiah 3:30, readשֵׁנִית; readוְהַשֵּׁנִיalso1 Chronicles 6:13forושני);בַּשָּׁנָההַשֵּׁנִיתGenesis 47:18+, etc. (שֵׁנִית72t. +Nehemiah 3:30see above),׳שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שׁLeviti 13+, etc. (שֵׁנִי82t. +Nehemiah 3:30, readשֵׁנִית; readוְהַשֵּׁנִיalso1 Chronicles 6:13forושני);בַּשָּׁנָההַשֵּׁנִיתGenesis 47:18+, etc. (שֵׁנִית72t. +Nehemiah 3:30see above),׳שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שׁLeviti

Possible Meanings:

second (semantic_range)

H7651 שֶׁבַע

Definition:

2115t.; constructשְׁבַעGenesis 5:2647t., especially P (15 t.) and Chronicles (20 t.),וּשֲׁבַע1 Kings 14:21feminine(c.noun masculine) absoluteשִׁבְעָהGenesis 4:24100t.; constructשִׁבְעַתGenesis 7:10120 2115t.; constructשְׁבַעGenesis 5:2647t., especially P (15 t.) and Chronicles (20 t.),וּשֲׁבַע1 Kings 14:21feminine(c.noun masculine) absoluteשִׁבְעָהGenesis 4:24100t.; constructשִׁבְעַתGenesis 7:10120

Possible Meanings:

seven (semantic_range)

H6240 עָשָׂר

Definition:

1eleven:a.אַחַד עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Genesis 32:232t.b.אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה(with feminine noun)2 Kings 23:367t.; also =eleventh1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29.c.עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Numbers 1eleven:a.אַחַד עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Genesis 32:232t.b.אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה(with feminine noun)2 Kings 23:367t.; also =eleventh1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29.c.עַשְׁתֵּי עָשָׂר(with masculine noun)Numbers

Possible Meanings:

a ten (semantic_range)

H3117 יוֹם

Definition:

5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo 5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo

H2320 חֹדֶשׁ

Definition:

H3117 יוֹם

Definition:

H2088 זֶה

Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

H1234 בָּקַע

Definition:

13,בָּֽקְעָהIsaiah 34:15,בָּקַעְתָּNehemiah 9:11;Psalm 74:15,וּבָֽקַעְתָּ֫Ezekiel 29:7;ImperfectוַיִּבְקַעJudges 15:19;Isaiah 48:21,וַיִּבְקְעוּ2 Samuel 23:16=1 Chronicles 11:18,וַיִּ בְקָעוּהָ2Chroni 13,בָּֽקְעָהIsaiah 34:15,בָּקַעְתָּNehemiah 9:11;Psalm 74:15,וּבָֽקַעְתָּ֫Ezekiel 29:7;ImperfectוַיִּבְקַעJudges 15:19;Isaiah 48:21,וַיִּבְקְעוּ2 Samuel 23:16=1 Chronicles 11:18,וַיִּ בְקָעוּהָ2Chroni

Possible Meanings:

half (semantic_range)

H3605 כֹּל

Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H4599 מַעְיָן

Definition:

24spring; — absolute׳מPsalm 74:15+; constructמַעְיַן2 Kings 3:25+,מַעְיְנוֺPsalm 114:8(Ges§ 90n); suffixמַעְיָנוֺHosea 13:15; pluralמַעְיָנוֺתIsaiah 41:18+,מַעְיָנִיםPsalm 104:10; constructמַעְיְנוֺתG 24spring; — absolute׳מPsalm 74:15+; constructמַעְיַן2 Kings 3:25+,מַעְיְנוֺPsalm 114:8(Ges§ 90n); suffixמַעְיָנוֺHosea 13:15; pluralמַעְיָנוֺתIsaiah 41:18+,מַעְיָנִיםPsalm 104:10; constructמַעְיְנוֺתG

H8415 תְּהוֹם

Definition:

11 7t.and masculineJob 28:14 5t.(AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 62Köii. 2. 167 Ency. Bib.DEEP)deep, sea, abyss(almost always in poetry); — absolute׳תGenesis 1:2+; plural absoluteתְּהֹמוֺתPsalm 77:17+, etc.,׳בַּת 11 7t.and masculineJob 28:14 5t.(AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 62Köii. 2. 167 Ency. Bib.DEEP)deep, sea, abyss(almost always in poetry); — absolute׳תGenesis 1:2+; plural absoluteתְּהֹמוֺתPsalm 77:17+, etc.,׳בַּת

H7227 רַב

Definition:

By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon

H0699 אֲרֻבָּה

Definition:

3; pluralאֲרֻבּוֺת2 Kings 7:2+, constructid..Malachi 3:10;אֲרֻבֹּתGenesis 7:11;Genesis 8:2;אֲרֻבֹּתֵיהֶםIsaiah 60:8; —lattice, latticed opening, where smoke escapedHosea 13:3; openings of dove-coteIsa 3; pluralאֲרֻבּוֺת2 Kings 7:2+, constructid..Malachi 3:10;אֲרֻבֹּתGenesis 7:11;Genesis 8:2;אֲרֻבֹּתֵיהֶםIsaiah 60:8; —lattice, latticed opening, where smoke escapedHosea 13:3; openings of dove-coteIsa

Possible Meanings:

locust (semantic_range)

H8064 שָׁמַיִם

Definition:

28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene, 28only pluralשָׁמַ֫יִם421(Sta§324 a)heavens, sky(Late Hebrewid.; Assyrianšamûpluralšamê, šamûtu, alsošamâmu, compare Phoenicianשמם; SabeanסמהHomChr 46, 124; ArabicEthiopicAramaicשְׁמַיָּא; Palmyrene,

H6605 פָתַח

Definition:

A primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve -- appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) op A primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve -- appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-)grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) op

Possible Meanings:

opened (semantic_range)
were opened (semantic_range)

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