Topical Bible: Seven: Days: Noah in the Ark Before the Great Flood For

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In the biblical narrative of the Great Flood, the number seven holds significant importance, particularly in the context of the days Noah and his family spent in the ark before the onset of the deluge. This period is a testament to God's divine timing and the fulfillment of His covenant with Noah.

Biblical Context

The account of Noah and the Great Flood is found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6 through 9. God, seeing the wickedness of humanity, decides to cleanse the earth with a flood. However, Noah, a righteous man, finds favor in God's eyes. God instructs Noah to build an ark to preserve his family and pairs of every living creature.

The Seven Days of Waiting

Genesis 7:1-4 states: "Then the LORD said to Noah, 'Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this generation. You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. For seven days from now, I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and every living thing I have made I will blot out from the face of the earth.'"

This passage highlights the seven-day period before the floodwaters began. During these days, Noah, his family, and the animals entered the ark, and the door was shut by God Himself (Genesis 7:16). This week-long period served as a final preparation and a symbolic pause before the judgment commenced.

Symbolism and Significance

The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness and divine perfection. In the context of Noah's account, the seven days can be seen as a period of divine grace and patience, allowing time for final preparations and reflection. It underscores God's mercy, even in judgment, providing a structured and orderly transition from the old world to the new.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the seven days Noah spent in the ark before the flood can be viewed as a foreshadowing of God's redemptive plan. Just as Noah and his family were saved through obedience and faith, so too are believers called to trust in God's promises and find refuge in His provision. The ark itself is often seen as a type of Christ, offering salvation from the judgment of sin.

Conclusion

The seven days Noah spent in the ark before the floodwaters came is a profound element of the biblical narrative, rich with symbolism and theological depth. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, His righteous judgment, and His unwavering commitment to those who walk in faith and obedience.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 7:4,10
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain on 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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Great Flood.
... Noah did all that the Lord had told him to do, and seven days before the great ... Come
thou and all thy house into the ark," and that very day, Noah with his ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter ii the great flood.htm

Concerning the Flood; and after what Manner Noah was Saved in an ...
... and whether he might go out of the ark with safety ... finding all the land still overflowed,
returned to Noah again ... And after seven days he sent out a dove, to know ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 concerning the flood.htm

Chapter vii
... The enumeration of those who entered the ark is not ... six hundredth year of the life
of Noah, in the ... Since "seven days" were mentioned in v.4, these must elapse ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter vii.htm

Noah's Justice
... will I destroy from off the earth." And Noah entered into ... man and his family shut
into his ark safe on ... the world ran its usual round; for seven days more their ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

"Come Thou and all Thy House into the Ark. "
... If there had been a cry during those seven days, I believe ... rains on, day and night,
for forty days and forty ... before the rain began to fall, Noah's ark, if it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/come thou and all thy.htm

The Story of Noah and the Ark
... of all kinds, and birds, and things that creep; seven pairs of ... And Noah and his sons
put them in their places, and ... In a few days the rain began to fall, as it ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of noah and.htm

The Survival of the Fittest.
... Thus, for example, in 6:20 Noah is commanded to take into ... in 7:2, 3 he is commanded
to take in seven of all ... flood came as the result of a forty days' rain; but ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study iv the survival of.htm

'Clear Shining after Rain'
... was all visible; a month and twenty-seven days more before ... frequent recurrence of
the sacred numbers, seven and ten ... But the patient expectance of Noah comes out ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/clear shining after rain.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... Rest days or work days, we alike need faith. By faith Noah did everything before
he entered the ark. ... The Lord teach us to have faith seven days in the week! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

Chapter viii
... tells us how "he put out his hand and took her and brought her to him into the ark."
Above, the ... But that Noah waits no longer than seven days in each ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter viii.htm