King James Version

What Does Genesis 7:4 Mean?

“For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. destroy: Heb. blot out”

Context

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens , the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. by sevens: Heb. seven seven

Of fowls also of the air by sevens , the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. by sevens: Heb. seven seven

For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. destroy: Heb. blot out

And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **Forty days.**—Henceforward forty became the sacred number of trial and patience, and, besides the obvious places in the Old Testament, it was the duration both of our Lord’s fast in the wilderness and of His sojourn on earth after the Resurrection. **Every living substance.**—The word “living” is found neither in the Hebrew nor in the ancient versions, and limits the sense unnecessarily. The word is rare, being found only thrice, namely, here, in Genesis 7:23, and in Deuteronomy 11:6. It means *whatever stands erect. *Thus God “destroys*”—*Heb., *blots out *(see on Genesis 6:7)—not man and beast only, but the whole existent state of things—“from the face of the earth”—Heb., *the adâmâh, *the cultivated and inhabited ground. This section is much more limited in the extent which it gives to the flood, not including reptiles, or rather, small animals, among those saved in the ark, and confining the overflow of the waters to the inhabited region.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 7:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.