Genesis 8:2 kjv

The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;

Genesis 8:2 nkjv

The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained.

Genesis 8:2 niv

Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky.

Genesis 8:2 esv

The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained,

Genesis 8:2 nlt

The underground waters stopped flowing, and the torrential rains from the sky were stopped.

Genesis 8 verses

Genesis 8 2 Meaning

This verse describes the direct cessation of the cosmic flood mechanisms, signifying the turning point in God's judgment and the beginning of His restorative work on the earth. It details the precise action God took to halt the deluge: stopping both the subterranean water sources (fountains of the deep) and the atmospheric precipitation (windows of heaven and rain). This action underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and natural forces, specifically His ability to initiate and conclude the great Flood. It marks the transition from judgment to salvation, moving towards a renewed earth for Noah and his family.

Genesis 8 2 Context

Genesis chapter 8 describes the period after the height of the Great Flood. Following 150 days during which the waters prevailed upon the earth, God "remembered" Noah (Gen 8:1). This remembering is not a sudden recall, but an active turning of God's attention and covenant faithfulness towards Noah and those in the ark. This verse (Gen 8:2) immediately explains the practical action God took to initiate the waters' recession, directly reversing the actions described in Gen 7:11-12 which commenced the flood. It signals the beginning of the drying process that would ultimately allow Noah and the ark's inhabitants to disembark onto a renewed earth. The historical and cultural context of this passage for its original audience would have strongly emphasized God's omnipotent control over all forces, in stark contrast to polytheistic creation and flood myths where chaotic forces are often independent or embodied by capricious deities. Here, YHWH is the singular sovereign orchestrator of both the judgment and its reversal.

Genesis 8 2 Word analysis

• The fountains (Hebrew: ma'yanot - מַעְיְנֹת): This refers to springs or wells, here specifically subterranean sources of water. In the Flood narrative, it points to vast quantities of water emanating from beneath the earth's crust, beyond what regular rain could account for. The plural form highlights multiple immense outlets.
• of the deep (Hebrew: tehom - תְּהוֹם): The "deep" or "abyss." This is the same word used in Gen 1:2 to describe the primeval, chaotic waters before creation was ordered. In the context of the flood, it signifies the bursting forth of subterranean reservoirs, connecting the flood's origin to the cosmic, foundational waters of creation itself. Its closure signifies divine control over chaos.
• and the windows (Hebrew: arubbot - אֲרֻבֹּת): This term can refer to openings, sluice gates, or floodgates. It conveys the idea of heavenly reservoirs opening to unleash massive volumes of water. The imagery suggests not merely a light drizzle but torrents of water actively released from above, far exceeding ordinary rain.
• of heaven (Hebrew: shamayim - שָּׁמַיִם): Refers to the sky or heavens. It indicates the atmospheric source of the rain. The combination with "windows" paints a picture of controlled release, though here, it signifies the controlled cessation.
• were stopped (Hebrew: vayisakheru - וַיִּסָּכְרוּ, from root sakar - סָכַר): To stop up, close, or shut. This verb signifies a definite and intentional action of closure. It implies an immediate and total halt to the flow from these sources, underscoring the active, purposeful intervention of God.
• and the rain (Hebrew: geshem - גֶּשֶׁם): Specific term for heavy rain or a downpour. This distinguishes it from general precipitation or mist. It explicitly refers to the active, destructive rainfall that lasted for forty days.
• from heaven (Hebrew: min hashamayim - מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם): Reinforces the atmospheric origin of the downpour.
• was restrained (Hebrew: vayikale' - וַיִּכָּלֵא, from root kala - כָּלָא): To hold back, restrain, withhold, or shut up. This verb indicates a strong, deliberate act of cessation. It emphasizes God's sovereign hand actively preventing the continuation of the rain.

Word Group Analysis:

• The fountains also of the deep: This phrase speaks to the mighty subterranean forces unleashed during the flood. Its stopping implies God's comprehensive control over the foundational geological structures and the vast hidden waters within the earth. The original unleashing represented a reversal of the ordered creation; its stopping represents a re-imposition of that order.
• and the windows of heaven were stopped: This indicates the cessation of the atmospheric part of the deluge. "Windows of heaven" is an anthropomorphic image highlighting God's direct control over meteorological phenomena, contrasting with ANE storm gods, as YHWH opens and closes these 'windows' at will. The use of "stopped" for both sources underscores a unified divine action.
• and the rain from heaven was restrained: This final phrase reiterates and emphasizes the end of the downpour from the sky, making it clear that both the unique flood sources ("fountains of the deep" and "windows of heaven") and the standard meteorological component ("rain from heaven") ceased. The dual use of "stopped" and "restrained" provides an intensified description of the complete and total halt to the water sources.

Genesis 8 2 Bonus section

The active verbs "stopped" (vayisakheru) and "restrained" (vayikale') are both in the hiphil stem in Hebrew (or related forms), which often denotes a causative or active performance of the verb. This linguistic detail reinforces that the cessation of the flood was a direct, purposeful action by God, not merely a natural event winding down. It underlines His complete mastery over the natural realm. Furthermore, the two sources of the flood (subterranean and atmospheric) reflect a comprehensive divine judgment; similarly, their cessation highlights God's holistic restorative power, indicating a complete reversal of the earth-destroying forces. The description implies that the Flood was not merely heavy rain, but a cosmic event engaging the entire water system of creation, thus requiring a divine hand to both commence and conclude it.

Genesis 8 2 Commentary

Genesis 8:2 marks a pivotal shift from judgment to mercy, orchestrated by God's direct intervention. The very mechanisms that brought about global devastation – the bursting "fountains of the deep" and the opening "windows of heaven" – are now explicitly reversed by divine command. This verse vividly portrays God's absolute sovereignty: just as He initiated the cosmic flood with an intentional unleashing of waters from above and below (Gen 7:11-12), so He brings it to an end by actively shutting them off. This control underscores His unique power over all of creation, distinguishing Him from pagan deities who were often depicted as merely part of or subservient to natural forces. The "stopping" and "restraining" are not passive natural occurrences but demonstrate purposeful action, part of God's "remembering" Noah. It's a testament to God's faithfulness in following through on His plans, whether of judgment or deliverance, ensuring that His promise to preserve a remnant for the future (as implied by the ark's construction) is fulfilled. The meticulous detail in this verse reflects the precision of divine providence, bringing order out of the chaotic waters of the Flood and paving the way for the renewed earth and God's covenant with humanity.