Genesis 7:4

Hebrew Bible Modern 1977

כי לימים עוד שבעה אנכי ממטיר על הארץ ארבעים יום וארבעים לילה ומחיתי את כל היקום אשר עשיתי מעל פני האדמה:

What Does This Mean?

God tells Noah that in seven days, He will start a rain that will last forty days and forty nights, and He will destroy all living things on Earth. This verse is part of God's warning to Noah before the flood.

Explained for Children

Imagine your room is about to get very messy, and your parents tell you that in a week, they will clean everything up. But this time, it's God telling Noah about a big rain that will clean the whole Earth.

Historical Background

The Book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses, written around 1446-1406 BC. This verse is part of the narrative about Noah and the flood, meant for the Israelites to understand God's power and justice.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, think about preparing for a big change or challenge. Like Noah, we can prepare by following God's instructions, trusting His timing, and knowing He's in control.

Topics

• faith
• obedience
• preparation
• judgment
• salvation
• divine intervention

Related Verses

• Genesis 6:17
• Genesis 8:2
• Matthew 24:37
• Luke 17:26
• 1 Peter 3:20

Recommended Reading

Commentary Genesis Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Bible Modern Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God choose to flood the Earth?

God decided to flood the Earth because of the wickedness and violence that had spread across the land, as stated in Genesis 6:5-6. This action was part of God's plan to cleanse the Earth and start anew.

How did Noah prepare for the flood?

Noah prepared by building the ark according to God's instructions, gathering animals, and storing food, all in preparation for the coming flood that would destroy all life on Earth except those on the ark.

What does the number forty symbolize in the Bible?

The number forty often symbolizes a period of testing, trial, or probation. In the flood story, it represents a significant duration of God's judgment and cleansing of the Earth.

How can we apply the lesson of Noah's obedience in our daily lives?

We can apply the lesson by being obedient to God's commands, trusting His timing, and preparing for changes with faith and diligence, as Noah did with the ark.