Topical Encyclopedia The Deluge, commonly referred to as the Great Flood, is a pivotal event described in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6 through 9. This cataclysmic flood was sent by God as a divine judgment upon a world that had become exceedingly wicked and corrupt. The narrative of the Deluge is not only a account of destruction but also one of salvation and covenant, as Noah and his family were preserved through the ark.Biblical Account The account of the Deluge begins with God's observation of humanity's pervasive wickedness. Genesis 6:5-7 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. So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.'" In response to this corruption, God instructed Noah, a righteous man, to build an ark to preserve his family and pairs of every living creature. Genesis 6:14-16 provides specific instructions for the construction of the ark, emphasizing its dimensions and materials. The Gradual Increase of the Floodwaters The narrative details the gradual increase of the floodwaters, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the judgment. Genesis 7:11-12 records the onset of the flood: "In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day 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 waters continued to rise, covering the earth and submerging even the highest mountains. Genesis 7:17-20 describes this progression: "For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth. So the waters continued to surge and rise greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters. Finally, the waters completely inundated the earth, so that all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of fifteen cubits." Theological Significance The gradual increase of the floodwaters serves as a powerful symbol of God's judgment and the totality of the cleansing of the earth. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the extent to which God will go to restore righteousness. The Deluge also highlights God's sovereignty over creation, as He commands both the waters of the deep and the rain from the heavens. Preservation and Covenant Despite the overwhelming destruction, the narrative of the Deluge is also one of hope and renewal. Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark were preserved by God's grace. After the floodwaters receded, God established a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. Genesis 9:11-13 states, "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. And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.'" The Deluge, therefore, stands as a testament to both God's justice and His mercy, serving as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the promise of redemption. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 7:17,18And the flood was forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Of Marriage Between Blood-Relations, in Regard to which the ... Egypt and Greece. Of Noah the Inventor of Wine, who First had Knowledge of the Stars ... The Pentateuch. The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Greatest English Classic Ancient Chaldaea The Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Paragraphs from Notable Speeches Resources Did the Bible copy the Flood account from other myths and legends? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the Cambrian Explosion fit within the framework of young-earth creationism? | GotQuestions.org Is the Lakeland, Florida, revival led by Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries a true biblical revival? | GotQuestions.org Deluge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Deluge of the Destruction of Sinners The Deluge: (Unexpectedness of) Suddenness of Christ's Coming The Deluge: Called The: Waters of Noah The Deluge: Came Suddenly and Unexpectedly The Deluge: Causes of Its Abatement The Deluge: Complete Destruction of Whole Earth Effected By The Deluge: Date of Its Commencement The Deluge: Date of Its Complete Removal The Deluge: Decrease of Gradual The Deluge: Entire Face of the Earth Changed By The Deluge: Increased Gradually The Deluge: Noah Forewarned of The Deluge: Patience of God Exhibited in Deferring The Deluge: Produced by Forty Days' Incessant Rain The Deluge: Produced by Opening up of the Fountains of the Great Deep The Deluge: Sent As a Punishment for the Extreme Wickedness of Man The Deluge: That It Shall Never Again Occur: A Pledge of God's Faithfulness The Deluge: That It Shall Never Again Occur: Confirmed by Covenant The Deluge: That It Shall Never Again Occur: Promised The Deluge: That It Shall Never Again Occur: The Rainbow a Token The Deluge: The Wicked Warned of The Deluge: Time of Its Increase and Prevailing The Deluge: Traditional Notice of Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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