Topical Bible: The Deluge: Time of Its Increase and Prevailing

◄ The Deluge: Time of Its Increase and Prevailing ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Deluge, commonly referred to as the Flood, is a pivotal event described in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6 through 8. This cataclysmic event was a divine judgment upon the earth due to the pervasive wickedness and corruption of humanity. The narrative centers on Noah, a righteous man chosen by God to preserve human and animal life through the construction of an ark.

Time of Its Increase

The onset of the Deluge is marked by the opening of the "fountains of the great deep" and the "windows of the heavens" (Genesis 7:11). This dual source of water—both subterranean and celestial—indicates the comprehensive nature of the floodwaters. The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, as stated in Genesis 7:12 : "And the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights." This period of incessant rainfall contributed to the rapid increase of water levels, submerging the earth under a deluge of unprecedented magnitude.

Prevailing of the Waters

The waters continued to rise, reaching their zenith as they "prevailed upon the earth" for a total of 150 days (Genesis 7:24). During this time, the waters covered "all the high mountains under the whole heaven" (Genesis 7:19), signifying the totality of the flood's impact. The ark, carrying Noah, his family, and the selected pairs of animals, was borne upon the waters, safeguarded by divine providence.

The prevailing of the waters signifies not only the physical dominance of the floodwaters over the earth but also the comprehensive nature of God's judgment. Genesis 7:23 underscores the extent of this judgment: "Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained."

The narrative of the Deluge serves as a profound testament to the righteousness and justice of God, as well as His mercy and provision for those who walk in obedience to Him. The account of the flood, with its detailed chronology and description, remains a cornerstone of biblical history and theology, illustrating the consequences of sin and the hope of redemption through divine grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 7:24
And the waters prevailed on the earth an hundred and fifty days.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Egypt and Greece.
... of the meadows; and all the time while this deluge of water ... whirlpools, as a token
of his defiance of its rage. ... At the end of that time it was announced to him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ii egypt and greece.htm

Walking with God
... open sin and wickedness, which like a deluge has overflowed ... has insensibly decayed
and dwindled away at the same time. ... O that it may have its due weight and ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

The Author to the Reader.
... We have enjoyed for a considerable time, a clear and ... that presage a terrible overflowing
deluge of error ... a satisfying fulness, answering all its necessities and ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/the author to the reader.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... in the period immediately subsequent to the Deluge, mention of ... and Babylon; if arrested
for a time, they broke ... position as they had occupied at its commencement ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Ebenezer!
... which Noah reared after his preservation from the universal deluge? ... the place of
renewed covenant, and its name signifies ... that it was hardly the time to speak ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1792 to the Close of ...
... against vice were administered, threatened to deluge the country ... At the same time,
with a view to manifest ... Kelleyan division, which was now at its height, and ...
/.../chapter 1 from the close.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... a festival Akitu, celebrated at Shurippak; the time of the ... thought to coincide with
the anniversary of the Deluge. ... Bamman growled in its bosom; Nebo and Marduk ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... kindness of God, he had received safe from the deluge. ... whatever might happen in the
world, a time would at ... that the nearer the period of its full exhibition ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Little Sins
... smallest sin has ten thousand mischiefs sleeping within its bowels. ... of a man's hand
may bring a deluge of rain ... bidden thee, young man, for the first time in thy ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/little sins.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... example of the Apostles, for the increase and building ... scattered throughout the Roman
Empire, its leading teachers ... and the sect maintained itself a long time. ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm