Bible Commentaries
Genesis 7

Verses 1-24

The Flood (continued)

2. By sevens] RV ’seven and seven,’ or seven pairs. The clean animals might be used for food, and would also be required for sacrifice. Observe that in Genesis 6:19 this distinction between clean and unclean is not noticed, and that there also the animals are chosen in single pairs, ’two of every sort.’ Lists of ’clean’ and ’unclean’ animals are given in Leviticus 11.

11. The second month] The year is here supposed to begin in autumn (cp. Exodus 34:22), so that the second month would be Marchesvan (middle of Oct. to middle of Nov.). That was about the beginning of the rainy season in Palestine. The great deep] See on the ancient Semitio conception of the world, Genesis 1:6. Evidently some vast inrush of water is intended, beyond heavy rains.

16. Sit-napisti says, ’I entered into the midst of the ship and shut my door.’ In our narrative Providence is nearer at hand, The Lord shut him in.

20. Fifteen cubits upward] The waters are supposed to be 15 cubits higher than the loftiest mountains. The ark is conceived as immersed up to 15 cubits; so that whenever the waters decreased, the ark grounded on a mountain-top (Genesis 8:4).