Devine Scripture

Genesis 7:11

What does Genesis 7:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 7:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 7:11 means

This verse precisely dates the beginning of the flood, specifying Noah's age, the month, and the day. On this historic day, two primary mechanisms of the flood were unleashed: "all the fountains of the great deep were broken up," referring to subterranean water sources erupting, and "the windows of heaven were opened," indicating continuous, heavy rainfall from above. This dual source emphasizes the overwhelming, global nature of the deluge, unlike any ordinary storm, demonstrating God's complete control over both celestial and terrestrial waters.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, all the fountains of the great deep came bursting through, and the windows of heaven were open;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

In the six hundredth year of the life of Noah, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month, in this day have been broken up all fountains of the great deep, and the net-work of the heavens hath been opened,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In the six hundredth year of the life of Noe, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month, all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the floodgates of heaven were opened:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that same day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Context

This verse provides the exact chronological details of the flood's commencement, building upon the statement in verse 10 that the waters were upon the earth. It is immediately followed by the duration of the rain, establishing the specific timing and the initial intensity. This precise dating grounds the narrative historically and emphasizes the immediate and catastrophic nature of God's judgment.

v.10And it came to pass after the seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

v.11This passage

v.12And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 5:22

    Fear ye not me? saith Jehovah: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.

  • Ezekiel 26:19

    For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and the great waters shall cover thee;

  • Genesis 1:7

    And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

  • Psalms 78:23

    Yet he commanded the skies above, And opened the doors of heaven;

  • 2 Kings 7:2

    Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if Jehovah should make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

  • Amos 9:5

    For the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, ishe that toucheth the land and it melteth, and all that dwell therein shall mourn; and it shall rise up wholly like the River, and shall sink again, like the River of Egypt;

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