Topical Bible: The Deluge: Extreme Height of

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The Deluge, commonly referred to as the Great Flood, is a pivotal event described in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6 through 9. This cataclysmic flood was sent by God as a divine judgment upon a world that had become exceedingly wicked and corrupt. The narrative centers on Noah, a righteous man chosen by God to preserve human and animal life through the construction of an ark.

Biblical Account of the Flood's Height

The Bible provides specific details regarding the extent and height of the floodwaters. In Genesis 7:19-20 , it is recorded: "And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of fifteen cubits." This passage indicates that the floodwaters rose to cover even the highest mountains by at least fifteen cubits, which is approximately 22.5 feet or 6.9 meters, assuming a cubit is about 18 inches.

Interpretation and Significance

The description of the floodwaters covering "all the high mountains under the whole heaven" suggests a global event of unparalleled magnitude. This interpretation aligns with the traditional understanding that the Deluge was a worldwide flood, affecting all of creation. The extreme height of the waters signifies the totality of God's judgment and the complete cleansing of the earth from its pervasive sinfulness.

Theological Implications

The extreme height of the floodwaters serves as a powerful symbol of God's sovereignty and the seriousness of divine judgment. It underscores the idea that no part of creation is beyond God's reach or authority. The comprehensive nature of the flood also highlights the severity of humanity's sin and the necessity of divine intervention to restore righteousness.

Noah's Ark and the Preservation of Life

Amidst the overwhelming floodwaters, Noah's ark becomes a vessel of salvation. Constructed according to God's precise instructions, the ark was designed to withstand the deluge and preserve Noah, his family, and representatives of all living creatures. Genesis 7:17-18 states, "For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased, they lifted the ark high above the earth. So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters."

The ark's buoyancy and ability to float above the floodwaters symbolize God's provision and protection for those who are faithful and obedient. It serves as a foreshadowing of salvation through faith, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

Historical and Geological Considerations

While the biblical account of the Deluge is primarily theological, it has also sparked considerable interest in historical and geological studies. Some scholars and researchers have sought to identify evidence of a global flood in the geological record, while others propose that the narrative may reflect a significant regional flood event in the ancient Near East.

Regardless of the scientific debates, the account of the Deluge remains a foundational account within the Judeo-Christian tradition, emphasizing themes of judgment, redemption, and the enduring faithfulness of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 7:19,20
And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Prophet of the Highest.
... that was overflowing the land like a deluge of ink ... these was apparent, in an exalted
and extreme degree, in ... A pile was erected, sixty feet in height, and fired ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/iv the prophet of the.htm

Egypt and Greece.
... of the meadows; and all the time while this deluge of water ... continue to be used to
mark the height of the ... our minds with an idea of the extreme antiquity of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

The New Creation
... done, till, in order to the general deluge which God ... with intense cold, nor parched
up with extreme heat; but ... many respects, as from a greater height, so into ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 64 the new creation.htm

The Use of Fear in Religion.
... of religion are continually passing from one extreme to another ... of the day of doom;
we would deluge them with ... can look down, from a very great height, upon all ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/the use of fear in.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... passed by a gate of steel a thousand cubits in height. ... for the road was over one
of the extreme ledges of ... rocky mountains in the picture of the deluge, up to ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram 2.htm

The Second Theological Oration.
... need progress, since he already possesses the Extreme Object of ... of all things most
pitiable, from the height we had ... Seeds of the world, escaped the Deluge in a ...
/.../lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxviii the second theological.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... last he takes occasion to refute the extreme rigorism of the ... light by fear, and thus
be raised to the height. ... ages been wont to proclaim the end of the Deluge. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... The height of Carmel must, therefore, come also into ... the position of Carmel at the
extreme western border ... whence once, at the time of the deluge, the natural ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... the moment when the wind gets up until it is at its height; the Anunnaki ... In heaven,
the gods were afraid of the deluge;* they betook themselves to flight, they ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of his ...
... And make creation groan with human guilt.155. How must it groan, in a new deluge
whelm'd,. ... Angels, whose radiant circles, height o'er height,. ... and all, extreme! ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/humbly inscribed to his grace.htm