Genesis 7:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 7:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 7:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And the waters prevailed, and increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth, etc.] Still they became greater and more powerful, as to bear up the ark, so to cast down houses, trees, etc. by the continual rains that fell, though perhaps they were not so violent as before, and by the constant eruptions of water out of the earth: and the ark went upon the face of the waters; it floated about upon them, in an easy gentle manner; for there were no storms of wind or tempests raised, which might endanger it.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The prevalence of the waters. The forty days are now completed. And at the end of this period the ark had been afloat for a long time. It was drifted on the waters in the direction in which they were flowing, and toward what was formerly the higher ground. Genesis 7:19 Upon the land. - The land is to be understood of the portion of the earth’s surface known to man. This, with an unknown margin beyond it, was covered with the waters. But this is all that Scripture warrants us to assert. Concerning the distant parts of Europe, the continents of Africa, America, or Australia, we can say nothing. “All the high hills were covered.” Not a hill was above water within the horizon of the spectator or…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“waters prevailed: Exo 14:28; Job 22:16; Psa 69:15 ark: Psa 104:26 Genesis 7:19”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification