Genesis 7:18
New International Version
The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

New Living Translation
As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface.

English Standard Version
The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters.

Berean Standard Bible
So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

King James Bible
And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

New King James Version
The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters.

New American Standard Bible
The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

NASB 1995
The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

NASB 1977
And the water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the water prevailed and multiplied greatly upon the earth, and the ark went on the surface of the water.

Amplified Bible
The waters became mighty and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

Christian Standard Bible
The water surged and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The waters surged and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.

American Standard Version
And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

English Revised Version
And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As the water rose and became very deep, the ship floated on top of the water.

Good News Translation
The water became deeper, and the boat drifted on the surface.

International Standard Version
The flood waters continued to surge, increasing throughout the earth, while the ark floated on the surface of the flood water.

Majority Standard Bible
So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

NET Bible
The waters completely overwhelmed the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

New Heart English Bible
The waters prevailed, and increased greatly on the earth; and the vessel floated on the surface of the waters.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth: and the ark moved upon the face of the waters.

World English Bible
The waters rose, and increased greatly on the earth; and the ship floated on the surface of the waters.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the waters are mighty and multiply exceedingly on the earth; and the Ark goes on the face of the waters.

Young's Literal Translation
and the waters are mighty, and multiply exceedingly upon the earth; and the ark goeth on the face of the waters.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the waters shall prevail and shall multiply exceedingly upon the earth: and the ark shall go upon the face of the waters.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they overflowed exceedingly: and filled all on the face of the earth: and the ark was carried upon the waters.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For they overflowed greatly, and they filled everything on the surface of the earth. And then the ark was carried across the waters.

New American Bible
The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth, but the ark floated on the surface of the waters.

New Revised Standard Version
The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the waters prevailed and rose higher upon the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the waters prevailed and increased much on the Earth and the ark was moving on the face of the waters.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the water prevailed and abounded exceedingly upon the earth, and the ark was borne upon the water.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Duration of the Flood
17For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth. 18So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters. 19Finally, the waters completely inundated the earth, so that all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered.…

Cross References
Genesis 6:17
And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish.

Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark. And God sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside.

Genesis 1:2
Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Psalm 29:10
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

Psalm 104:6-9
You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. / At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— / the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You assigned for them— ...

Job 38:8-11
Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...

Isaiah 54:9
“For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you.

Matthew 24:38-39
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Luke 17:26-27
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

1 Peter 3:20
who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.

2 Peter 2:5
if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;

2 Peter 3:6
through which the world of that time perished in the flood.

Revelation 12:15-16
Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. / But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.


Treasury of Scripture

And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly on the earth; and the ark went on the face of the waters.

waters prevailed.

Exodus 14:28
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

Job 22:16
Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

Psalm 69:15
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

ark.

Psalm 104:26
There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.

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Ark Earth Exceedingly Face Floated Greatly Increased Mighty Moved Multiply Overcame Prevailed Resting Rose Ship Surface Water Waters
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Ark Earth Exceedingly Face Floated Greatly Increased Mighty Moved Multiply Overcame Prevailed Resting Rose Ship Surface Water Waters
Genesis 7
1. Noah, his family and the living creatures enter the ark.
6. The flood begins.
17. The increase of the flood for forty days.
21. All flesh is destroyed by it.
24. Its duration of 150 days.














The waters surged
The Hebrew word for "surged" is "גָּבַר" (gabar), which conveys the idea of prevailing or becoming mighty. This word choice emphasizes the overwhelming power and dominance of the floodwaters. In a spiritual context, it reflects the might of God's judgment and the seriousness of sin that necessitated such a divine intervention. Historically, this phrase underscores the catastrophic nature of the flood, which is supported by various flood narratives found in ancient cultures, suggesting a shared memory of a significant deluge.

and increased greatly
The phrase "increased greatly" is derived from the Hebrew "רָבָה" (ravah), meaning to multiply or become numerous. This indicates not just a rise in water levels but an exponential growth, symbolizing the totality of God's judgment. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of human disobedience and the extent to which God will go to cleanse and renew His creation. The historical context of this phrase aligns with geological evidence of ancient floods, which some scholars argue supports the biblical account.

on the earth
The term "earth" here is "אֶרֶץ" (erets) in Hebrew, which can mean land, ground, or the entire world. In this context, it signifies the global scope of the flood, reinforcing the narrative of a worldwide event. This phrase challenges readers to consider the universality of God's sovereignty and the reach of His actions. Scripturally, it connects to the idea that all of creation is under God's dominion, as seen throughout the Bible.

and the ark
The "ark" is referred to as "תֵּבָה" (tevah) in Hebrew, a term used only for Noah's ark and the basket of baby Moses. This unique usage highlights the ark as a vessel of salvation and divine protection. From a conservative Christian perspective, the ark is a type of Christ, symbolizing deliverance from judgment through faith and obedience. Archaeologically, while the exact location of the ark remains debated, its construction details in Genesis provide insight into ancient shipbuilding techniques.

floated on the surface
The word "floated" comes from the Hebrew "הָלַךְ" (halak), meaning to go or walk, suggesting a gentle movement guided by God's hand. This imagery of the ark floating peacefully amidst chaos serves as a metaphor for God's provision and care for those who trust in Him. Theologically, it reassures believers of God's ability to sustain and protect His people through life's storms.

of the water
"Water" in Hebrew is "מַיִם" (mayim), often symbolizing chaos and judgment in biblical literature. Here, it represents both the instrument of God's judgment and the medium through which salvation is achieved. The dual nature of water as both destructive and life-sustaining is a recurring theme in Scripture, reminding believers of God's power to bring both judgment and mercy. Historically, water has been a central element in many ancient Near Eastern flood myths, underscoring its significance in the Genesis narrative.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the waters
הַמַּ֛יִם (ham·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

continued to surge
וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּ (way·yiḡ·bə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1396: To be strong, to prevail, act insolently

and rise
וַיִּרְבּ֥וּ (way·yir·bū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

greatly
מְאֹ֖ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the earth,
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and
וַתֵּ֥לֶךְ (wat·tê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

the ark
הַתֵּבָ֖ה (hat·tê·ḇāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8392: A box, chest

floated on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the surface
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the waters.
הַמָּֽיִם׃ (ham·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen


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OT Law: Genesis 7:18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 7:17
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