Devine Scripture

Genesis 7:12

What does Genesis 7:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 7:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 7:12 means

The rain fell continuously for forty days and forty nights. This extended period of intense rainfall signifies the relentless and comprehensive nature of God's judgment. The duration is not merely descriptive but symbolically potent, often representing a period of testing, judgment, or intense experience in biblical narratives (e.g., Moses on Sinai, Jesus in the wilderness). Here, it ensures the complete inundation of the earth and the destruction of all terrestrial life outside the ark, underscoring the severity of divine wrath.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And rain came down on the earth for forty days and forty nights.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the shower is on the earth forty days and forty nights.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the pour of rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.

Context

This verse specifies the duration of the initial downpour, directly following the description of the flood's two sources: the great deep and the heavens. It bridges the initial onset of the flood with the detailed account of who entered the ark and the subsequent rise of the waters. This detail gives a tangible measure to the overwhelming nature of the flood.

v.11In 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.

v.12This passage

v.13In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

Cross references

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

  • 1 Kings 19:8

    And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

  • Matthew 4:2

    And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered.

  • Genesis 7:17

    And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.

  • Genesis 7:4

    For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the ground.

  • Deuteronomy 10:10

    And I stayed in the mount, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights: and Jehovah hearkened unto me that time also; Jehovah would not destroy thee.

  • Exodus 24:18

    And Moses entered into the midst of the cloud, and went up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

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