Topical Bible: Water: Covered the Whole Earth

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In the biblical narrative, water plays a significant role as a symbol of both life and judgment. One of the most profound instances of water covering the whole earth is found in the account of the Great Flood during the time of Noah, as recorded in the Book of Genesis.

The Great Flood

The account of the Great Flood is detailed in Genesis 6-9. According to the text, humanity had become exceedingly wicked, prompting God to cleanse the earth through a flood. Genesis 6:17 states, "And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish." This divine judgment was executed through the inundation of the entire earth with water, effectively resetting creation.

Noah, a righteous man, found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). God instructed him to build an ark to preserve his family and pairs of every living creature. Genesis 7:11-12 describes the onset of the flood: "In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights."

The floodwaters rose and covered the highest mountains, as noted in Genesis 7:19-20 : "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." This comprehensive coverage of water signifies the totality of God's judgment upon a corrupt world.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The flood narrative is rich with symbolism and theological implications. Water, in this context, serves as an agent of divine judgment, purifying the earth from sin and corruption. The flood also prefigures the concept of baptism, as noted in 1 Peter 3:20-21 , where the apostle Peter draws a parallel between the waters of the flood and the waters of baptism, which symbolize salvation and a clear conscience before God.

Furthermore, the flood narrative underscores God's sovereignty over creation. The ability to cover the entire earth with water demonstrates His control over the natural world. It also highlights God's justice and mercy—justice in the judgment of sin, and mercy in the preservation of Noah and his family, ensuring the continuation of life.

Covenant and Promise

After the floodwaters receded, God established a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. Genesis 9:11 records this promise: "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." The sign of this covenant was the rainbow, a perpetual reminder of God's mercy and faithfulness.

Conclusion

The account of water covering the whole earth in the Great Flood is a foundational narrative within the biblical canon. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, justice, and grace, and it continues to be a significant point of reflection for understanding the relationship between God and humanity.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 1:9
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters.
... countries, and end by flooding the whole earth, it received ... the Red Sea from invading
the whole of Egypt ... not therefore say, that if the water covered the face ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily iv upon the gathering.htm

"The Earth was Invisible and Unfinished. "
... capable of being acted on by the whole wisdom of ... Thus, these words "the earth was
invisible" are explained ... and as at that time the water covered everything, we ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ii the earth was.htm

The New Creation
... 1:9, ) the dry land spread over the face of the water, and covered it on ... inhabitants
want, " or all mankind will procure what the whole earth affords by ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 64 the new creation.htm

Of Noah the Inventor of Wine, who First had Knowledge of the Stars ...
... as many daughters-in-law, when the water had covered ... with their faces turned backwards,
and covered their father. ... all the islands and the whole earth; and thus ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv of noah the inventor.htm

Noah and the Great Flood
... For I am about to bring floods of water upon the earth to destroy every ... foot, and
so returned to him to the ark, for the waters covered the whole earth. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/noah and the great flood.htm

Testimonies. 1. That Christ is the First-Born, and that He is the ...
... I made the unwearying light to rise in the heavens, and I covered the whole earth
with a ... unto Him that is thirsting from the fountain of the water of life ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/testimonies 1 that christ is.htm

National Apostasy
... The dark shadow of apostasy covered the whole land. ... that had been set up were deities,
ruling by their mystic power the elements of earth, fire, and water. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

Basil -- the Creation of the World
... of being acted on by the whole wisdom of God ... Thus, these words, "the earth was
invisible," are explained by ... and as at that time the water covered everything, we ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/basil the creation of.htm

The Solar Eclipse
... He bids his rain descend, not in showers, but in whole cataracts at once, and the
earth becomes a void waste covered with water, and afterwards a dreary swamp ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the solar eclipse.htm

The Mystery of Iniquity
... had spread over all nations, and covered the earth ... How soon was the wine mixed with
water! ... hath set up his throne over the face of the whole earth, and reigned ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 61 the mystery of.htm