King James Version

What Does Genesis 7:11 Mean?

Genesis 7:11 in the King James Version says “In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all t...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. windows: or, floodgates”

Genesis 7:11 · KJV

Context

9

There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

10

And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. after: or, on the seventh day

11

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. windows: or, floodgates

12

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

13

In 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;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the... This passage belongs to the primeval history section (Genesis 1-11) which establishes universal truths about God, humanity, sin, and divine purposes before focusing on Abraham and Israel. These chapters answer fundamental questions about human origins, the spread of wickedness, God's judgment, and the preservation of a righteous remnant.

Recurring patterns emerge: human sin escalating from individual disobedience to societal corruption, divine patience followed by judgment, gracious preservation of a remnant, and covenant promises ensuring redemptive purposes continue. The genealogies connect historical persons, demonstrate the fulfillment of divine promises (blessing and multiplication), and trace the line leading to Abraham and ultimately Christ.

Key theological themes in this section include: (1) sin's destructive progression affecting all humanity; (2) God's righteous judgment while preserving mercy; (3) human pride and autonomy opposing divine sovereignty; (4) cultural development as both blessing and potential idolatry; (5) God's sovereign plan advancing despite human rebellion. These narratives provide the necessary context for understanding God's calling of Abraham and the covenant promises through which all nations will be blessed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The primeval history (Genesis 1-11) parallels ancient Near Eastern traditions including Sumerian King Lists (pre-flood longevity), Akkadian flood traditions (Atrahasis, Gilgamesh), and Mesopotamian city foundation myths. However, Genesis demythologizes these traditions, presenting monotheistic history rather than polytheistic mythology. The genealogies connecting Adam to Noah to Abraham provide historical framework absent in pagan myths.

Archaeological evidence confirms ancient urbanization (chapter 4's cities), agricultural development, metallurgy, and musical instruments emerging in Mesopotamia's early history. The Babel account reflects Mesopotamian ziggurat construction (stepped pyramid temples), particularly in Babylon. Linguistic diversity requiring explanation was obvious to ancient peoples, making the Babel narrative culturally relevant.

For Israel in covenant with Yahweh, these chapters explained their relationship to surrounding nations. All peoples descended from Noah, but Israel descended from Shem through Abraham—chosen for blessing all nations. The flood demonstrated God's justice and mercy: judging wickedness while preserving the righteous. This pattern would recur throughout Israel's history, assuring them that God's covenant faithfulness endures despite judgment on the wicked.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
שָׁנָה֙1 of 22

“In”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שֵׁשׁ2 of 22

“the six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵא֤וֹת3 of 22

“hundredth”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שָׁנָה֙4 of 22

“In”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְחַיֵּי5 of 22

“life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

נֹ֔חַ6 of 22

“of Noah's”

H5146

noach, the patriarch of the flood

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ7 of 22

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשֵּׁנִ֔י8 of 22

“in the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

בְּשִׁבְעָֽה9 of 22

“the seventeenth”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

עָשָׂ֥ר10 of 22
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

בַּיּ֣וֹם11 of 22

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ12 of 22

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בַּיּ֣וֹם13 of 22

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֗ה14 of 22

“the same”

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

נִבְקְעוּ֙15 of 22

“broken up”

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

כָּֽל16 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַעְיְנֹת֙17 of 22

“were all the fountains”

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

תְּה֣וֹם18 of 22

“deep”

H8415

an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)

רַבָּ֔ה19 of 22

“of the great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וַֽאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת20 of 22

“and the windows”

H699

a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water)

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם21 of 22

“of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

נִפְתָּֽחוּ׃22 of 22

“were opened”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 7:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 7:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 8:2Proverbs 8:28-29Malachi 3:10Amos 9:5-6Jeremiah 51:16Psalms 78:23-24

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