Genesis 7:20 kjv

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

Genesis 7:20 nkjv

The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.

Genesis 7:20 niv

The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits.

Genesis 7:20 esv

The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.

Genesis 7:20 nlt

rising more than twenty-two feet above the highest peaks.

Genesis 7 verses

Genesis 7 20 Meaning

Genesis 7:20 precisely describes the apex of the great flood, stating that the waters ascended to a depth of fifteen cubits (approximately 22-28 feet or 6.8-8.5 meters) above the highest mountain peaks. This unprecedented deluge entirely submerged all terrestrial landforms, emphasizing the overwhelming, comprehensive, and universal scale of the divine judgment poured out upon the earth, leaving no part of the land unsubmerged.

Genesis 7 20 Context

Genesis 7:20 appears at the zenith of the biblical flood narrative, which describes the systematic execution of God's judgment upon a corrupted world. The preceding verses (7:17-19) describe the progressive increase and overwhelming prevalence of the floodwaters, stating they covered "all the high hills under the whole heaven." Verse 20 provides the specific and arresting detail of this total submersion, quantifying the depth to which the waters rose above the very highest points of land. This establishes the absolute universality and unprecedented scale of the event, reinforcing that no refuge remained outside of the ark.

The broader biblical context places the flood as God's righteous response to the escalating wickedness and corruption of humanity (Gen 6:5-7), signifying a cosmic cleansing and a restart for humanity through Noah. This act profoundly demonstrates God's sovereignty over His creation and His justice in executing judgment. From an ancient Near Eastern cultural perspective, the Genesis account, with its precise details and morally-driven divine action, stands in stark contrast to other regional flood myths where gods act out of capricious or disunified motives. The meticulous description of the flood's extent in Genesis highlights Yahweh's orderly, purposeful, and comprehensive power, a powerful polemic against the limitations attributed to other deities by surrounding cultures.

Genesis 7 20 Word analysis

• Fifteen: Hebrew: ḥamesh ‘esre(h) (חמש עשרה). This specific numerical detail immediately grounds the account in precision rather than vagueness. It lends an air of historical verisimilitude to the divine action and highlights the calculated, rather than arbitrary, nature of God's judgment. This detail emphasizes the immensity and completeness of the waters' rise.

• cubits: Hebrew: ‘ammah. An ancient unit of measurement, generally corresponding to the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18-22 inches (45-56 cm). Therefore, fifteen cubits is approximately 22-28 feet (6.8-8.5 meters). The use of a tangible measurement, though relative to the mountains, solidifies the profound depth of the inundation. It underlines that this was a quantifiable and devastating event.

• upward: Hebrew: lama'lah (לְמַעְלָה). This adverb emphasizes the continuous ascent and rising nature of the water. It conveys an active, overcoming force rather than merely a stationary body of water. The direction "upward" confirms the waters conquered elevation, a clear indication of a complete covering.

• did the waters prevail: Hebrew: gābrû hammayim (גָּבְרוּ הַמַּיִם). Gābrû (from gabar) means "to be strong," "to grow mighty," "to prevail," "to overcome." This powerful verb signifies the overwhelming and irresistible force of the water. It denotes a dominance where the water was not merely present but actively exerting its power, conquering and surpassing all existing landmarks. This phrasing underscores the divine power unleashed.

• and the mountains: Hebrew: hehārim (הֶהָרִים). The definite article "the" points to all the existing mountains, specifically implying the highest peaks and ranges of the known world at that time. This emphasizes the sheer scope and universality of the flood; nothing topographical was exempt from being submerged.

• were covered: Hebrew: wayyekkassû (וַיְכֻסּוּ) from the root kasah (כסה). This verb means "to cover," "to hide," or "to conceal." In this passive perfect form, it highlights the state of complete submersion and invisibility of the mountains. It conveys total concealment, ensuring no landmass remained as a point of refuge or visible reminder of the pre-flood world.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail": This phrase directly quantifies the immense scale and vertical extent of the flood. The precision of "fifteen cubits" combined with "upward" stresses that the waters not only spread but aggressively rose, actively overpowering the natural landscape. "Did the waters prevail" (gabar) conveys a sense of overwhelming victory, depicting the water as an active force, by divine command, conquering the entire land surface.
  • "and the mountains were covered": This segment provides the ultimate visual evidence of the flood's totality. The explicit mention of "the mountains," typically symbolic of immovable and highest points, being "covered," irrefutably confirms the comprehensive, global extent of the inundation. It signifies that God's judgment left no part of the earth untouched, and no earthly haven was left to humanity outside of His appointed ark.

Genesis 7 20 Bonus section

• The detail of "fifteen cubits" also holds a practical significance regarding the ark. Since the ark's height was specified as thirty cubits (Gen 6:15), the waters prevailing fifteen cubits above the mountains ensured the ark, filled with life, would safely float well above any terrestrial obstructions or impacts from submerged land, a testament to God's precise foresight in His plan for salvation amidst destruction.
• The Hebrew verb gabar ("did prevail"), used for the waters here, is frequently used in scripture to describe strength, superiority, or triumph, often in military or combative contexts (e.g., God's strength, military victory). Its application to the floodwaters conveys them as an active, conquering force directed by God, utterly dominating the earth.
• This verse firmly supports the interpretation of a global, universal flood rather than a localized one. The explicit mention of "the mountains" being covered, combined with the description in the preceding verse of "all the high hills under the whole heaven," leaves no ambiguity regarding the flood's all-encompassing geographical scope as depicted in Scripture.

Genesis 7 20 Commentary

Genesis 7:20 marks the complete fulfillment of God's judgment through the flood, powerfully conveying its scope and severity. The specification of "fifteen cubits upward" above "the mountains" serves not merely as a meteorological observation but as a profound theological statement. It emphatically underscores the unparalleled nature of this divine act of cosmic cleansing, indicating that every highest point of refuge was subsumed, leaving no earthly escape. This absolute submersion speaks to God's supreme power over creation and His perfect execution of justice against the profound wickedness that had consumed the earth. The world that "then existed perished" (2 Pet 3:6), laying the groundwork for a new, divinely-sanctioned beginning. It is a powerful illustration of God's unyielding righteousness and the comprehensive reach of His judgment when He chooses to act decisively.