Topical Encyclopedia The Flood, often referred to as the Great Flood or Noah's Flood, is a pivotal event in biblical history, described in the Book of Genesis. It is a divine judgment upon a world that had become exceedingly corrupt and violent. The narrative of the Flood is found in Genesis chapters 6 through 9 and is one of the most well-known accounts in the Bible.Background and Cause The account begins with a description of the moral decay of humanity. Genesis 6:5-6 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart." This pervasive wickedness prompted God to cleanse the earth through a cataclysmic flood. Noah and the Ark Noah, a righteous man, found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:9 describes Noah as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God." God instructed Noah to build an ark, a large vessel designed to preserve human and animal life. The dimensions and specifications for the ark are detailed in Genesis 6:14-16, emphasizing its massive size and capacity. Noah was commanded to bring into the ark his family—his wife, his three sons, and their wives—along with pairs of every kind of living creature, male and female, to ensure the continuation of life after the floodwaters receded (Genesis 6:18-20). The Deluge The flood began when "all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened" (Genesis 7:11). Rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, covering even the highest mountains. Genesis 7:19-20 records, "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." Every living thing on the face of the earth perished, except for those aboard the ark. Genesis 7:23 states, "Every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—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 Receding Waters and God's Covenant After 150 days, God remembered Noah and caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters began to recede. The ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:1-4). Noah sent out a raven and then a dove to determine if the waters had abated. When the dove returned with an olive leaf, Noah knew the earth was drying (Genesis 8:11). Upon exiting the ark, Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices to the Lord. God responded by establishing a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow was given as a sign of this covenant, as stated in Genesis 9:13 : "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." Theological Significance The Flood narrative underscores themes of judgment, mercy, and covenant. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the consequences of sin, while also highlighting His grace and provision for salvation. Noah's obedience and faith are exemplary, illustrating the importance of righteousness and trust in God's promises. The account of the Flood continues to be a profound testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness throughout the generations. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 6:1And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, Nave's Topical Index Genesis 7:1 Genesis 8:1 Library The History after the Flood. Here Beginneth the History of Noah Noah's Flood From the Fall to the Flood. Ages and Periods of Biblical History. From the Flood to Abraham Fragment xiii. 1. Up to the Time of the Olympiads There is no ... Concerning the Flood; and after what Manner Noah was Saved in an ... Of the Falseness of the History which Allots Many Thousand Years ... Profane History Gives no Account of These Matters. Resources Did the Bible copy the Flood account from other myths and legends? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the purpose of the flood in the time of Noah? Why did God flood the earth? | GotQuestions.org Had it ever rained before the Flood in Noah's day? | GotQuestions.org Flood: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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