Genesis 7:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The forty-day flood causes waters to rise so that the ark is lifted and floats above the earth.
The Context of Genesis 7:17
Floodwaters continue to rise for forty days, lifting the ark above ground level.
What Does Genesis 7:17 Mean?
As waters accumulate over forty days, the ark transitions from resting on the earth to floating upon the waters. The word bare up and lift up indicate the waters themselves become a supporting force, literally elevating the vessel above the ground. God's judgment becomes the very mechanism of salvation—the same waters that destroy preserve those inside.
This paradox is profound: the flood that drowns also carries the ark. The waters that are instruments of judgment are also agents of rescue. The ark's movement from ground to float symbolizes a transition from the old world order to a new one, carried on the very waters that erase the past.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 7:17
What does Genesis 7:17 mean?
The forty-day flood causes waters to rise so that the ark is lifted and floats above the earth.
What is the context of Genesis 7:17?
Floodwaters continue to rise for forty days, lifting the ark above ground level.