King James Version

What Does Genesis 7:13 Mean?

Genesis 7:13 in the King James Version says “In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Genesis 7:13 · KJV

Context

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;

14

They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. sort: Heb. wing

15

And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.

Read Genesis 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife,... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
בְּעֶ֨צֶם1 of 18

“In the selfsame”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

הַיּ֤וֹם2 of 18

“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

הַזֶּה֙3 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בָּ֣א4 of 18

“entered”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נֹ֗חַ5 of 18

“Noah”

H5146

noach, the patriarch of the flood

וְשֵׁם6 of 18

“and Shem”

H8035

shem, a son of noah (often including his posterity)

וְחָ֥ם7 of 18

“and Ham”

H2526

cham, a son of noah; also (as a patronymic) his descendants or their country

וָיֶ֖פֶת8 of 18

“and Japheth”

H3315

jepheth, a son of noah; also his posterity

בָנָ֛יו9 of 18

“of his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נֹ֗חַ10 of 18

“Noah”

H5146

noach, the patriarch of the flood

נְשֵֽׁי11 of 18

“wife”

H802

a woman

נֹ֗חַ12 of 18

“Noah”

H5146

noach, the patriarch of the flood

וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת13 of 18

“and the three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

נְשֵֽׁי14 of 18

“wife”

H802

a woman

בָנָ֛יו15 of 18

“of his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אִתָּ֖ם16 of 18
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֶל17 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַתֵּבָֽה׃18 of 18

“with them into the ark”

H8392

a box

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 7:13 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 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 7:1Genesis 6:18Hebrews 11:7Genesis 6:10Genesis 10:212 Peter 2:5

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