Genesis 7:20-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 7:17-20

We are here told, I. How long the flood was increasing?forty days, Gen. 7:17. The profane world, who believed not that it would come, probably when it came flattered themselves with hopes that it would soon abate and never come to extremity; but still it increased, it prevailed. Note, 1. When God judges he will overcome. If he begin, he will make an end; his way is perfect, both in judgment and mercy. 2. The gradual approaches and advances of God's judgments, which are designed to bring... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 7:21-24

Here is, I. The general destruction of all flesh by the waters of the flood. Come, and see the desolations which God makes in the earth (Ps. 46:8), and how he lays heaps upon heaps. Never did death triumph, from its first entrance unto this day, as it did then. Come, and see Death upon his pale horse, and hell following with him, Rev. 6:7, 8. 1. All the cattle, fowl, and creeping things, died, except the few that were in the ark. Observe how this is repeated: All flesh died, Gen. 7:21. All in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 7:20

Fifteen cubits upwards did the waters prevail ,.... Either to such an height above the earth, upwards from that, or from the high hills; for though the words do not necessarily imply that, yet it may be allowed, since there was water enough to cover the highest of them; and fifteen cubits of water were enough to drown the tallest man, or largest beast that should be upon the top of any of them: and the mountains were covered , with water, even it may be allowed fifteen cubits high; nor... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 7:21

And all flesh died that moved upon the earth ,.... That had animal life in them, of which motion was a sign: both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth on the earth ; excepting those that were in the ark. This general destruction of the creatures, as it was for the sins of men, whose they were, and by whom they were abused, and is expressive of God's hatred of sin, and of his holiness and justice in the punishment of it; so, on the other hand, it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 7:22

All in whose nostrils was the breath of life ,.... Whether of fowls, beast, cattle, or creeping things: of all that was in the dry land, died ; by which description fishes were excepted, since they breathe not, having no lungs, and are not on the dry land, where they cannot live, but in the waters. Some pretend it to be the opinion of some Jewish writers, that the fishes did die, the waters being made hot, and scalded them; but this fable I have not met with. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 7:23

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground ,.... Not everything, particularly trees; for after the flood was abated there was an olive tree, a leaf of which was brought to Noah by the dove, Genesis 8:11 but all animals: both men and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven, and they were destroyed from the earth ; this is repeated, partly for explanation of the preceding clause, and partly for confirmation of this general... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 7:20

Fifteen cubits upward - Should any person object to the universality of the deluge because he may imagine there is not water sufficient to drown the whole globe in the manner here related, he may find a most satisfactory answer to all the objections he can raise on this ground in Mr. Ray's Physico-theological Discourses, 2d edit., 8vo., 1693. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 7:22

Of all that was in the dry land - From this we may conclude that such animals only as could not live in the water were preserved in the ark. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 7:20

Fifteen cubits upward —half the height of the ark— did the waters prevail . Literally, become strong ; above the highest mountains obviously, and not above the ground simply; as, on the latter alternative, it could scarcely have been added, and the mountains were covered. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 7:21-22

describe the effect of the Deluge in its destruction of all animal and human life. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth . A general expression for the animal creation, of which the particulars are then specified. Both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth on the earth. Literally, in fowl, and in cattle, &c.; (cf. Genesis 7:14 ). And every man . i.e. all the human race (with the exception of the inmates of the ark), which is... read more

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