Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 7בראשית 7

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

The warning of Genesis 6 now passes into execution, and the narrative's force lies in the way command, chronology, and catastrophe are interwoven under the direct word of God. Noah is told to enter the ark because he has been seen righteous before YHWH in his generation, the animals are ordered according to kind and ritual distinction, and the coming flood is set within carefully measured intervals of seven days, forty days, and exact dates in Noah's life. That precision matters. The flood is not narrated as mythic chaos breaking loose on its own, but as judicial unmaking governed by the same God who had earlier ordered the world. Once the fountains of the great deep burst and the windows of heaven open, the old creation order is overwhelmed from below and above. Mountains disappear, the ark is lifted, and the world beyond the divinely sealed refuge becomes a scene of relentless prevailing waters. Yet the narrative is equally deliberate in marking preservation within judgment. Noah, his household, and the creatures with him do not survive by improvisation or luck, but by entering the ordered refuge according to God's command and by being shut in by YHWH himself. The distinction between those enclosed under the divine word and those left outside it structures the whole movement. All flesh on dry land perishes, but not because the narrative has forgotten the righteous remnant; rather, it insists that judgment is total in scope while salvation is equally intentional and discriminating. It therefore binds righteous preservation, animal ordering, covenantal obedience, cosmic unmaking, and universal death into the narrative where the corrupted world is overtaken by floodwaters even as God guards the living seed of a future beginning.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. The execution phase of the flood announcement is reached here, marked by careful alternation between command, chronology, obedience, and catastrophe. Verse 1 resumes direct divine speech and explicitly grounds Noah's preservation in the judgment that he has been seen righteous before YHWH in that generation. Verses 2-3 introduce the distinction between clean and unclean animals before Sinai, a point that has drawn sustained discussion in both Jewish and Christian interpretation; the narrative presumes such a distinction without pausing to explain its origin. The repeated phrase שִׁבְעָה שִׁבְעָה in vv.2-3 also deserves careful handling, since its exact distributive force has been variously understood, though the practical sense of augmented provision for clean animals and birds is clear. Verse 4's seven-day warning, followed by the forty days and forty nights of rain, gives the narrative its first chronological frame, while vv.11-12 add a second, more exact dating formula that links the flood not only to rain but to the bursting of the fountains of the great deep and the opening of the windows of heaven. Those paired expressions deliberately evoke a cosmic unmaking of the ordered world. Verse 16 contains the theologically weighty notice that YHWH shut Noah in, turning the ark from a humanly built vessel into a divinely sealed refuge. In vv.17-24 the repeated verbs of increase, prevailing, covering, perishing, and blotting out create the narrative's relentless cadence of total judgment. Verse 22's expression נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים in the nostrils recalls earlier life-breath language from Genesis 2 and 6, thereby framing the destruction as the loss of God-given creaturely vitality. At the same time, the repeated notices that only Noah and those with him in the ark remained preserve the narrative from becoming a mere catalogue of ruin: judgment is universal within its sphere, but preservation is equally deliberate. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ בֹּֽא אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל בֵּיתְךָ֖ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֑ה כִּֽי אֹתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק לְפָנַ֖י בַּדּ֥וֹר הַזֶּֽה

And YHWH said to Noah, 'Enter, you and all your household, into the ark, for I have seen you righteous before me in this generation.'

Divine command: Noah is summoned into the ark because he has been seen righteousוַיֹּאמֶר
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; the standard verb of divine speech introduction, here launching direct command to Noah.
יְהוָה֙YHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the divine personal name; in this chapter YHWH speaks directly (vv.1,4,16), while אֱלֹהִים appears in fulfillment notices, a well-known distinction of the flood narrative.
לְנֹ֔חַto Noahprep לְ + proper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Indirect object (addressee)נֹחַ (H5146), 'Noah'; from נוּחַ 'to rest'; the one man found righteous in his generation (6:9).
בֹּֽאenter!Qal impv 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Main imperative (command)→ Volitional: urgent divine commandבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the imperative form here is a direct divine summons into the ark.
אַתָּ֥הyouIndep pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of imperative (emphatic)אַתָּה (H859) independent personal pronoun 2ms; adds emphasis — Noah personally is singled out for salvation.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Compound subject (coordinated with אַתָּה)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, totality'; in construct with בֵּיתְךָ, encompassing Noah's entire household.
בֵּיתְךָ֖your householdN m sg cstr + 2ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; here the extended family/household unit saved with Noah.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) directional preposition 'to, into, toward'; marks movement toward the ark as destination.
הַתֵּבָ֑הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of directional prep אֶלתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark, chest, box'; an Egyptian loanword also used for the basket of Moses (Exod 2:3); the divinely specified vessel of preservation.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (motivation clause)כִּי (H3588) causal 'for, because'; introduces the theological ground for Noah's salvation: he has been seen righteous.
אֹתְךָ֥you [obj]obj marker + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of רָאִיתִי)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; with 2ms suffix pointing to Noah as definite object of divine perception.
רָאִ֛יתִיI have seenQal perf 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of divine evaluationרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive, discern'; YHWH's assessment of Noah as righteous is a completed, settled verdict that grounds the command.
צַדִּ֥יקrighteousadj m sg abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Predicate adjective (object complement)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous, just'; from צָדַק 'to be right'; used of the one whose conduct conforms to covenant standard; cf. Gen 6:9.
לְפָנַ֖יbefore meprep לְ + N m pl cstr + 1cs suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (standard of judgment)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before' = in the sight/presence of YHWH; the divine assessment is relational and personal.
בַּדּ֥וֹרin the generationprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Temporal/contextual prepositional phraseדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation, age, period'; Noah's righteousness is specifically assessed within the moral context of his corrupt contemporaries.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative attributive modifier of הַדּוֹרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; the article + demonstrative construction specifies the particular generation of wickedness (Gen 6:5-12).
2

מִכֹּ֣ל הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה תִּֽקַּח לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וּמִן הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה הִ֛וא שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹ

From every clean beast you shall take for yourself seven and seven, a male and his mate; and from the beast that is not clean, two, a male and his mate.

Instructional detail: clean and unclean animals are distinguished for entry into the arkמִכֹּל
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
מִכֹּ֣לfrom everyprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; מִן partitive — 'from all' — indicates the source category from which animals are taken.
הַבְּהֵמָ֣הthe beastsart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive of כֹּל (construct chain)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, quadruped, domestic or large land animal'; the category including the clean animals under instruction.
הַטְּהוֹרָ֗הthe cleanart + adj f sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Attributive adjective modifying הַבְּהֵמָהטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the pre-Sinaitic clean/unclean distinction is operative here, implying a known oral tradition before Leviticus 11.
תִּֽקַּחyou shall takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Main verb (second imperatival command)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing instructional directiveלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive, acquire'; the imperfect here has prescriptive force, directing Noah's gathering of the animals.
לְךָ֛for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְEthical dative (beneficiary)לְ + 2ms suffix functions as ethical dative (לָקַח לוֹ 'take for oneself'); marks that the action is for Noah's benefit/provision.
שִׁבְעָ֥הsevennumeral m sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Distributive numeral (first element)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; repeated in שִׁבְעָה שִׁבְעָה for distributive sense: 'seven each' = seven pairs of each clean animal.
שִׁבְעָ֖הsevennumeral m sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Distributive numeral (repeated for distribution)שֶׁבַע (H7651) repeated; the reduplication conveys 'seven by seven' or 'seven each', a Hebrew distributive idiom.
אִ֣ישׁa maleN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Appositive specifying gender pairingאִישׁ (H376) normally 'man'; used here idiomatically for the male of a pair, as in 'a male and his mate'.
וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹand his mateconj וְ + N f sg cstr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinated noun (gendered pair)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife, female'; here the female of the animal pair, as אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ = male and his female.
וּמִןand fromconj וְ + prep מִן · מִן (H4480)Coordinating conjunction + partitive prep (contrast clause)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; partitive again, introducing the contrasting unclean animal category.
הַבְּהֵמָ֡הthe beastart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of מִן (partitive source)בְּהֵמָה (H929) repeated; now the unclean animals are specified in contrast to the seven clean ones.
אֲ֠שֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing restrictive clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; introduces the defining clause 'that is not clean'.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of predicate adjectiveלֹא (H3808) 'not'; absolute negation; combined with טְהֹרָה הִוא = 'she is not clean', identifying the unclean category.
טְהֹרָ֥הcleanadj f sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective in nominal clauseטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean'; the negative of this quality defines the second animal class; only two of each unclean animal are taken.
הִ֛ואit (she)indep pronoun 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Predicate pronoun (copular nominal clause)הִיא (H1931) 3fs independent pronoun; as copula 'it/she is', completing the nominal predication: 'which is not clean'.
שְׁנַ֖יִםtwonumeral m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral (count of unclean animal pairs)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; in contrast to the seven of clean animals, only one pair (two) of unclean animals enters the ark.
אִ֥ישׁa maleN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Appositive specifying gender pairאִישׁ (H376) 'man/male'; as before, the male of the pair; the גenderpairing formula is repeated for the unclean.
וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹand his mateconj וְ + N f sg cstr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinated noun (female of the pair)אִשָּׁה (H802) female/mate; the repeated formula אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ emphasizes reproductive pairing for post-flood replenishment.
3

גַּ֣ם מֵע֧וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה לְחַיּ֥וֹת זֶ֖רַע עַל פְּנֵ֥י כָל הָאָֽרֶץ

Also from the birds of the heavens, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

Further instruction: birds too are preserved in enlarged number for the continuity of lifeגַּם
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
גַּ֣םalsoadv · גַּם (H1571)Additive adverb (extending to birds)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even, moreover'; extends the clean-animal instruction to the birds, adding a further category.
מֵע֧וֹףfrom the birds ofprep מִן + N m sg cstr · עוֹף (H5775)Partitive prepositional phrase (source category)עוֹף (H5775) 'bird, fowl, flying creature'; from עוּף 'to fly'; here in construct with הַשָּׁמַיִם as 'birds of the heavens'.
הַשָּׁמַ֛יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive of עוֹף (construct chain)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; dual/plural; as the domain of birds, 'birds of the heavens' is a standard biblical phrase.
שִׁבְעָ֥הsevennumeral m sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Distributive numeral (first element for birds)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; the distributive שִׁבְעָה שִׁבְעָה applies to clean birds as to clean beasts.
שִׁבְעָ֖הsevennumeral m sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Distributive numeral (repeated)שֶׁבַע (H7651) repeated distributively; seven each of clean birds, ensuring sufficient numbers for sacrifice (cf. 8:20) and post-flood replenishment.
זָכָ֣רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Appositive (gender specification)זָכָר (H2145) 'male'; from זָכַר; used for the male of both human and animal; here marking the reproductive pair.
וּנְקֵבָ֑הand femaleconj וְ + N f sg abs · נְקֵבָה (H5347)Coordinated noun (female of pair)נְקֵבָה (H5347) 'female'; from נָקַב 'to pierce/bore'; contrasting counterpart to זָכָר; the pair ensures procreation.
לְחַיּ֥וֹתto keep aliveprep לְ + Piel inf constr · חָיָה (H2421)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive: purpose/result — preservation of seedחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; Piel inf 'to keep alive, preserve life'; the stated purpose of taking seven pairs is to sustain living seed on the earth.
זֶ֖רַעseedN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of לְחַיּוֹתזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; the biological continuity of every kind; the post-flood creation depends on this preserved seed.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, on'; marks the surface of the earth as the domain where seed will be kept alive after the flood.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct governing הָאָרֶץפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface'; פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ 'face/surface of the earth' is a recurring phrase in Genesis connoting the breadth of the whole earth.
כָלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Modifier intensifying הָאָרֶץכֹּל (H3605) 'all, the whole'; in construct with הָאָרֶץ, underscoring the universal scope of the mission to re-seed the entire earth.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the whole earth is the arena of devastation and future resettlement; the seed preserved in the ark is for its replenishment.
4

כִּי֩ לְיָמִ֨ים ע֜וֹד שִׁבְעָ֗ה אָֽנֹכִי֙ מַמְטִ֣יר עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָ֑יְלָה וּמָחִ֗יתִי אֶֽת כָּל הַיְקוּם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֔יתִי מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה

For in seven more days I am going to make it rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will blot out every living thing that I have made from upon the face of the ground.

Reason and warning: the precise countdown and the judgment to follow are declaredכִּי
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
כִּי֩forconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/explanatory conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the divine ground for the urgency of the seven-day instruction: rain in seven days.
לְיָמִ֨יםin daysprep לְ + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural with לְ indicating 'in a matter of days'; the countdown to the flood is specified as seven more days.
ע֜וֹדstill, yetadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal adverb (residual time)עוֹד (H5750) 'yet, still, again'; marks remaining time before the event; 'seven more days' before the flood begins.
שִׁבְעָ֗הsevennumeral m sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral complement of temporal phraseשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; the seven-day warning interval between command and catastrophe; echoes the seven days of creation.
אָֽנֹכִי֙Iindep pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of מַמְטִיר (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595) emphatic first-person pronoun; YHWH himself is the agent of the rain — this is not natural disaster but divine judicial act.
מַמְטִ֣ירcausing it to rainHiphil ptc m sg abs · מָטַר (H4305)Predicate participle (imminent future)→ Participle: imminent futurate action (I am going to rain)מָטַר (H4305) 'to rain'; Hiphil 'to cause rain to fall'; as ptc with pronoun subject, it expresses imminent certainty: 'I am about to bring rain'.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the rain will fall on the earth — the scope is universal.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the whole earth as the recipient of the judicial rainfall.
אַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortynumeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Accusative of durationאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the archetypal period of trial and testing in the Hebrew Bible; forty days and nights frames the period of maximum judgment.
י֔וֹםdaysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Noun of duration (object complement)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the singular here is collective or counts individual days; together with the numeral 'forty days'.
וְאַרְבָּעִ֖יםand fortyconj וְ + numeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Coordinated numeral (parallel duration)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) repeated; day and night specified separately for emphasis: the rain continues without interruption for forty full days and nights.
לָ֑יְלָהnightsN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Noun of duration (parallel to יוֹם)לַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; paired with יוֹם to indicate ceaseless duration; cf. v.12 for narrative fulfillment.
וּמָחִ֗יתִיand I will blot outconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs · מָחָה (H4229)Weqatal (sequential future declaration)→ Weqatal: logical consequence of the rain — total erasureמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe out, blot out, obliterate'; used of complete erasure (cf. Deut 25:19); the strongest term for the flood's destructive result.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object כָּל הַיְקוּם.
כָּלeveryN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in construct with הַיְקוּםכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; universal scope of the blotting out: nothing on the ground survives.
הַיְקוּם֙the living thingsart + N m sg abs · יְקוּם (H3351)Direct object of מָחִיתִייְקוּם (H3351) 'that which exists/stands'; a rare collective noun for all living creatures that have existence on the earth; occurs also in v.23.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (restrictive clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pronoun; restricts יְקוּם to what YHWH himself has made — the act of blotting undoes YHWH's own creative work.
עָשִׂ֔יתִיI have madeQal perf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed act of creation that is now undoneעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do, create'; YHWH's own creative work is the referent — the flood is the unmaking of what he made in Gen 1.
מֵעַ֖לfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Compound prepositional phrase (source-location)מֵעַל (m/H5921) 'from upon, from off'; compound prep indicating removal from the surface; the creatures will be swept from the face of the ground.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct governing הָאֲדָמָהפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface'; פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה = surface of the ground; echoes the very language of God's judgment in Gen 6:7.
הָֽאֲדָמָֽהthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive of פְּנֵי (construct chain)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, earth'; the cultivable earth, closely tied to human life (Gen 2:7); to be wiped clean of all life.
5

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּ֖הוּ יְהוָֽה

And Noah did according to all that YHWH commanded him.

Narrative response: Noah obeys the command in fullוַיַּעַשׂ
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיַּ֖עַשׂand he didWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (narrative sequence — obedience report)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, act'; the brief but total obedience formula mirrors the pattern of Gen 6:22; Noah complies completely.
נֹ֑חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subject of וַיַּעַשׂנֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; his obedience without recorded objection or delay marks him as the ideal covenant figure in this narrative.
כְּכֹ֥לaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative/conformity prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; כְּכֹל 'according to all that' = total conformity; Noah's obedience is complete, nothing omitted.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (content of conformity)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative pron linking the totality of Noah's obedience to the totality of YHWH's command.
צִוָּ֖הוּhe commanded himPiel perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause — object of conformity)→ Perfective: completed divine directiveצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel intensive; YHWH's commanding is complete and authoritative; Noah responds in kind.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהוּיְהוָה (H3068) the divine personal name; the specification of the commander confirms Noah acts in response to YHWH's personal word, not merely general duty.
6

וְנֹ֕חַ בֶּן שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וְהַמַּבּ֣וּל הָיָ֔ה מַ֖יִם עַל הָאָֽרֶץ

And Noah was six hundred years old, and the flood was waters upon the earth.

Chronological notice: Noah's age marks the historical threshold of the floodוְנֹחַ
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְנֹ֕חַand Noahconj וְ + proper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subject of nominal clause (circumstantial)נֹחַ (H5146); the conjunction introduces a circumstantial clause providing Noah's age at the time of the flood.
בֶּןson ofN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate noun in construct (age idiom)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בֶּן + numeral = 'X years old'; the standard biblical age formula.
שֵׁ֥שׁsixnumeral f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral in age construct phraseשֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; first element of the compound 'six hundred'; Noah was exactly 600 years old when the flood came.
מֵא֖וֹתhundredsnumeral c pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral complement (hundreds unit)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; plural מֵאוֹת; with שֵׁשׁ = six hundreds = 600; cf. v.11 for the exact year.
שָׁנָ֑הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Noun of time (object of age expression)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the unit completing the age formula; Noah's age places the flood within the Genesis primeval chronology.
וְהַמַּבּ֣וּלand the floodconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · מַבּוּל (H3999)Subject of nominal clause (circumstantial)מַבּוּל (H3999) 'flood, deluge'; a rare term appearing only in Genesis 6-11 and Ps 29:10; may derive from יָבַל 'to flow'; the global inundation event.
הָיָ֔הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (nominal clause copula)→ Perfective: states a completed state of affairsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen, become'; the copular use here describes the flood as already an established reality of the narrative world.
מַ֖יִםwatersN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Predicate noun (describing the flood)מַיִם (H4325) 'water, waters'; the flood is described as 'waters upon the earth', using the same cosmic category as Gen 1:2.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; marks the earth as the domain now covered by the flood waters.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the entire earth as the recipient of the floodwaters, contrasted with the ark as the one place of safety.
7

וַיָּ֣בֹא נֹ֗חַ וּ֠בָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ וּנְשֵֽׁי בָנָ֛יו אִתּ֖וֹ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֑ה מִפְּנֵ֖י מֵ֥י הַמַּבּֽוּל

And Noah entered, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him, into the ark because of the waters of the flood.

Narrative fulfillment: Noah and his household enter the ark because of the floodwatersוַיָּבֹא
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיָּ֣בֹאand he enteredWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (narrative sequence — fulfillment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the same root as the imperative of v.1; Noah's entry now fulfills the divine command.
נֹ֗חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subject of וַיָּבֹאנֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; the named subject foregrounds his obedient entry in response to YHWH's word.
וּ֠בָנָיוand his sonsconj וְ + N m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Compound subject (coordinated)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural with suffix = 'his sons'; Shem, Ham, and Japheth; named in v.13.
וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹand his wifeconj וְ + N f sg cstr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Compound subject (coordinated)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; Noah's wife enters with him; she is unnamed in the Genesis narrative.
וּנְשֵֽׁיand the wives ofconj וְ + N f pl cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Compound subject (coordinated)אִשָּׁה (H802) plural construct 'wives of'; introduces the sons' wives as the final group of the household.
בָנָ֛יוhis sonsN m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of נְשֵׁי (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) plural with 3ms suffix; the sons' wives complete the eight-person household unit (cf. 1 Pet 3:20).
אִתּ֖וֹwith himprep אֵת + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; the comitative use marks the household's solidarity with Noah in entering the ark; YHWH's salvation encompasses those with the righteous.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; directional, marking movement into the ark as destination.
הַתֵּבָ֑הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of directional prep אֶלתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark, chest'; the divinely constructed vessel of salvation; cf. v.1 where the same word receives the imperative.
מִפְּנֵ֖יbecause ofprep מִן + N m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phrase (motivating cause)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; מִפְּנֵי 'from the face of' = because of, on account of; the imminent threat of the floodwaters motivates the entry.
מֵ֥יthe waters ofN m pl cstr · מַיִם (H4325)Construct governing הַמַּבּוּלמַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; plural construct; 'waters of the flood' is the precise threat that drives them into the ark.
הַמַּבּֽוּלthe floodart + N m sg abs · מַבּוּל (H3999)Genitive of מֵי (construct chain)מַבּוּל (H3999) 'flood, deluge'; the specific term for this event; 'waters of the flood' names the agent of judgment from which the ark provides escape.
8

מִן הַבְּהֵמָה֙ הַטְּהוֹרָ֔ה וּמִן הַ֨בְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵינֶ֖נָּה טְהֹרָ֑ה וּמִ֨ן הָע֔וֹף וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר רֹמֵ֖שׂ עַל הָֽאֲדָמָֽה

From the clean beast, and from the beast that is not clean, and from the birds, and everything that creeps upon the ground,

Enumerative transition: the creature groups are listed before their ordered arrival is describedמִן
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; introduces the creature categories that entered the ark; mirrors the language of the divine command in v.2.
הַבְּהֵמָה֙the beastsart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of מִן (partitive)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, large animal'; the clean animals are first, following v.2's instruction order.
הַטְּהוֹרָ֔הthe cleanart + adj f sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Attributive adjective modifying הַבְּהֵמָהטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the clean-animal distinction operates here in narrative without explicit grounding in later law.
וּמִןand fromconj וְ + prep מִן · מִן (H4480)Coordinating conj + partitive prep (second category)מִן (H4480) repeated to introduce the second beast category — the unclean.
הַ֨בְּהֵמָ֔הthe beastart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of second מִןבְּהֵמָה (H929) now the unclean beast category; the same noun distinguished by its qualifying clause 'that is not clean'.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (restrictive clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; introduces the defining clause of uncleanness, echoing v.2's formulation.
אֵינֶ֖נָּהis notneg particle + 3fs suffix · אַיִן (H369)Negative predicate (nominal clause)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not, is absent'; with 3fs suffix אֵינֶנָּה = 'it is not'; a compound negative existential predicate stronger than simple לֹא.
טְהֹרָ֑הcleanadj f sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate complement of אֵינֶנָּהטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean'; the predicate of the negated clause: the beast 'is not clean'.
וּמִ֨ןand fromconj וְ + prep מִן · מִן (H4480)Coordinating conj + partitive prep (third category)מִן (H4480) third occurrence, now introducing birds — widening the scope to all creature kinds.
הָע֔וֹףthe birdsart + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Object of third מִןעוֹף (H5775) 'bird, fowl'; birds as a distinct creature category separate from beasts; entered without subdivision noted here.
וְכֹ֥לand everyconj וְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Compound subject phrase (fourth category)כֹּל (H3605) 'every, all'; now the comprehensive fourth category — all creeping things on the ground.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (restrictive)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; defines the category further by the relative clause 'that creeps upon the ground'.
רֹמֵ֖שׂcreepsQal ptc m sg abs · רָמַשׂ (H7430)Predicate participle (relative clause)→ Participle: habitual/defining characteristic actionרָמַשׂ (H7430) 'to creep, move about'; a participle used as a defining characteristic; all ground-creeping things are included in the ark's population.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; marks the ground surface as the domain of the creeping things.
הָֽאֲדָמָֽהthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of עַל (locative)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the cultivated earth; these creatures will be the ones blotted from its face (v.4, 23).
9

שְׁנַ֨יִם שְׁנַ֜יִם בָּ֧אוּ אֶל נֹ֛חַ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת נֹֽחַ

Two by two they came to Noah, into the ark, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.

Narrative fulfillment: the creatures come in ordered pairs according to the divine commandשְׁנַיִם
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
שְׁנַ֨יִםtwo by twonumeral m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Distributive numeral (adverbial accusative)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; repeated שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם = 'two by two'; the distributive idiom marks orderly, paired entry.
שְׁנַ֜יִםtwo by twonumeral m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Distributive numeral (repeated for distribution)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) repeated; as with שִׁבְעָה שִׁבְעָה in vv.2-3, the reduplication signals distribution — each kind enters in pairs.
בָּ֧אוּthey cameQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed action of arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the perfect here records the completed entry of all the animals; the narrative voices divine ordering behind it.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (first)אֶל (H413) directional; the creatures come to Noah, then into the ark — two separate directional phrases in succession.
נֹ֛חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Object of first אֶל (destination)נֹחַ (H5146); the creatures' coming to Noah recalls the divine ordering; he is the gathering point of the preserved remnant.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (second)אֶל (H413) repeated to add the second directional: into the ark; the double direction (to Noah, into the ark) may reflect the orderly procession.
הַתֵּבָ֖הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of second אֶל (destination)תֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the final destination of all the creatures — the vessel of preservation.
זָכָ֣רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Appositive (gender specification)זָכָר (H2145) 'male'; specifying the gendered pairs; the male-female pairing ensures reproductive potential after the flood.
וּנְקֵבָ֑הand femaleconj וְ + N f sg abs · נְקֵבָה (H5347)Coordinated noun (female of pair)נְקֵבָה (H5347) 'female'; the reproductive pair is reiterated; the flood preserves living seed for the new world order.
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + rel pron אֲשֶׁר · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause (conformity to command)כַּאֲשֶׁר (k/H834) 'just as, according as'; the conformity formula underscores that the animals' entry is a fulfillment of divine command.
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Perfective: completed authoritative commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel; the entry of the animals matches exactly what God commanded — orderly, complete, obedient.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of צִוָּהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; notably אֱלֹהִים (not YHWH) in this fulfillment notice; cf. command in v.1 by YHWH; the divine names alternate in this narrative.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks נֹחַ as the definite direct object of the commanding.
נֹֽחַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Direct object of צִוָּהנֹחַ (H5146); the object of God's command; the animals' ordered entry demonstrates that God's word through Noah has been fully effective.
10

וַֽיְהִ֖י לְשִׁבְעַ֣ת הַיָּמִ֑ים וּמֵ֣י הַמַּבּ֔וּל הָי֖וּ עַל הָאָֽרֶץ

And it came to pass, after the seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

Chronological transition: the seven-day interval expires and the flood arrivesוַיְהִי
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַֽיְהִ֖יand it came to passWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative-transition formula→ Wayyiqtol: narrative sequence markerהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; וַיְהִי is a standard biblical Hebrew narrative transition formula introducing a new temporal development.
לְשִׁבְעַ֣תafter the sevenprep לְ + numeral m sg cstr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Temporal prepositional phrase (after seven days)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; with לְ and the following noun 'the seven days' = after seven days; the promised interval (v.4) has now elapsed.
הַיָּמִ֑יםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive of לְשִׁבְעַת (construct chain)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the article referring back to the specific seven days announced in v.4; the countdown is complete.
וּמֵ֣יand the waters ofconj וְ + N m pl cstr · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of second clause (nominal)מַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; plural construct beginning the new main clause: 'the waters of the flood were upon the earth'.
הַמַּבּ֔וּלthe floodart + N m sg abs · מַבּוּל (H3999)Genitive of מֵי (construct chain)מַבּוּל (H3999) 'flood, deluge'; 'waters of the flood' states the onset of the anticipated catastrophe.
הָי֖וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential state)→ Perfective: records the arrived state of floodהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; 3cp agrees with the plural subject מֵי; the floodwaters are now a present reality on the earth.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; marks the earth as now covered or subjected to the flood.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the announcement of v.4 is now fulfilled: the flood waters are upon the earth.
11

בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שֵׁשׁ מֵא֤וֹת שָׁנָה֙ לְחַיֵּי נֹ֔חַ בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָֽה עָשָׂ֥ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה נִבְקְעוּ֙ כָּֽל מַעְיְנֹת֙ תְּה֣וֹם רַבָּ֔ה וַאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם נִפְתָּֽחוּ

In the six-hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that very day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the windows of the heavens were opened.

Formal dating: the flood is fixed precisely in time and cosmic sources are releasedבִּשְׁנַת
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
בִּשְׁנַ֨תin the year ofprep בְּ + N f sg cstr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phrase (year formula)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; בִּשְׁנַת + numeral introduces the precise dating formula: 'in the Xth year of Noah's life'.
שֵׁשׁsixnumeral f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral modifying the yearשֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; part of the compound numeral 'six hundred'.
מֵא֤וֹתhundredsnumeral c pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral complement (hundreds unit)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; plural; six hundreds = 600 years; Noah's exact age at the flood confirms v.6.
שָׁנָה֙yearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Noun of time completing age formulaשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; completes the age expression; the precision anchors the flood in Noah's biographical timeline.
לְחַיֵּיof the life ofprep לְ + N m pl cstr · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitive prepositional phrase (possessive)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, lifetime'; לְחַיֵּי נֹחַ = 'to the life of Noah' = 'of Noah's life'; a standard biblical dating formula keyed to a patriarchal lifespan.
נֹ֔חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Genitive of לְחַיֵּי (construct chain)נֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; the genealogical anchor for the flood's dating; cf. the same construction in Gen 11.
בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙in the monthprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phrase (month)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; the month specification adds precision; the exact month is disputed (second from creation-year or from Tishri).
הַשֵּׁנִ֔יthe secondart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Ordinal attributive modifier of הַחֹדֶשׁשֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second, the second'; the second month; later tradition identifies this as Iyyar (April-May) or Cheshvan depending on reckoning.
בְּשִׁבְעָֽהon the seventeenthprep בְּ + numeral m sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Temporal prepositional phrase (day number)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; combined with עָשָׂר = seventeen; the exact day of the month is given for precision.
עָשָׂ֥רteennumeral m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Numeral complement (tens unit)עָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten, -teen'; combined with שִׁבְעָה = seventeen; the compound number specifies the exact day.
י֖וֹםdayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Noun completing day-of-month expressionיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the explicit noun completing the date formula 'on the seventeenth day'.
לַחֹ֑דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive prepositional phrase (month reference)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'; לַחֹדֶשׁ 'of the month' completes the date formula; the precision is unusual in biblical narrative and signals the gravity of the event.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (resumptive)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה 'on that very day' is a solemn formula marking the day as momentous; cf. Gen 17:23,26; Exod 12:17.
הַזֶּ֗הthat/thisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative attributive modifier of הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this, that'; בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה = 'on this very day'; the emphatic demonstrative underscores the solemnity of the moment.
נִבְקְעוּ֙were split openNiphal perf 3cp · בָּקַע (H1234)Predicate verb (cosmic event — first)→ Perfective passive: completed cosmic ruptureבָּקַע (H1234) 'to split, break open, cleave'; Niphal passive; 'the fountains burst open' — a cosmic tearing, undoing the separation of waters in Gen 1:6-10.
כָּֽלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in construct with מַעְיְנֹתכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; all the fountains of the great deep simultaneously burst — not a local event but a universal cosmic unmaking.
מַעְיְנֹת֙the fountains ofN m pl cstr · מַעְיָן (H4599)Subject of נִבְקְעוּמַעְיָן (H4599) 'spring, fountain'; from עַיִן 'eye/spring'; 'fountains of the great deep' = subterranean water sources; the flood comes from below as well as above.
תְּה֣וֹםthe deepN (c) sg abs · תְּהוֹם (H8415)Genitive of מַעְיְנֹת (construct chain)תְּהוֹם (H8415) 'deep, abyss, the deep'; related to Akkadian Tiamat; the primordial subterranean waters of Gen 1:2; the flood reopens what creation had separated.
רַבָּ֔הthe greatadj f sg abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying תְּהוֹםרַב (H7227) 'great, many, much'; תְּהוֹם רַבָּה 'the great deep' — the vast subterranean reservoir; the adjective underscores the overwhelming magnitude of the cosmic undoing.
וַאֲרֻבֹּ֥תand the windows ofconj וְ + N f pl cstr · אֲרֻבָּה (H699)Compound subject (second cosmic source)אֲרֻבָּה (H699) 'window, lattice, floodgate'; from אָרַב 'to lie in wait'; the 'windows of heaven' are the celestial sluicegates through which rain falls; cf. Gen 8:2; Mal 3:10.
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive of אֲרֻבֹּת (construct chain)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; the celestial vault from which the rain pours; paired with תְּהוֹם, the flood comes from both cosmic reservoirs.
נִפְתָּֽחוּwere openedNiphal perf 3cp · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb (cosmic event — second, parallel)→ Perfective passive: completed cosmic openingפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; Niphal passive 'were opened'; the heavenly sluices opened simultaneously with the bursting of the deep — a total unmaking of the created order of Gen 1.
12

וַֽיְהִ֥י הַגֶּ֖שֶׁם עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָֽיְלָה

And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Narrative continuation: the rainfall continues for the full announced durationוַיְהִי
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַֽיְהִ֥יand it wasWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative existential verb→ Wayyiqtol: narrative sequence continuationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; וַיְהִי again as narrative progression; the rain now fulfills YHWH's announcement in v.4.
הַגֶּ֖שֶׁםthe rainart + N m sg abs · גֶּשֶׁם (H1653)Subject of וַיְהִיגֶּשֶׁם (H1653) 'rain, downpour'; the normal word for rainfall, more common than מָטָר; it represents the upper-water source matching the lower תְּהוֹם of v.11.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the rain falls upon the earth — directed judgment from above.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the whole earth receives the rain; this verse fulfills the מַמְטִיר declaration of v.4.
אַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortynumeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Accusative of durationאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the announced forty days are now confirmed as reality; 'forty days and forty nights' = ceaseless rain without interruption.
י֔וֹםdaysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Noun of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; repeated verbatim from v.4 — the narrative confirms precise fulfillment of the divine announcement.
וְאַרְבָּעִ֖יםand fortyconj וְ + numeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Coordinated numeral (parallel nights)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) forty; the night-element of the duration phrase mirrors the day-element; the rain continues without pause through day and night.
לָֽיְלָהnightsN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Noun of duration (nights)לַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the full forty-day, forty-night duration is completed exactly as announced; the narrative closes the loop on the divine promise.
13

בְּעֶ֨צֶם הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ בָּ֣א נֹ֔חַ וְשֵׁם וְחָ֥ם וָיֶ֖פֶת בְּנֵי נֹ֑חַ וְאֵ֣שֶׁת נֹ֗חַ וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת נְשֵֽׁי בָנָ֛יו אִתָּ֖ם אֶל הַתֵּבָֽה

On that very day Noah entered, with Shem, Ham, and Japheth, Noah's sons, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark.

Precise temporal notice introducing Noah's household entry into the arkבְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
בְּעֶ֨צֶםon the very bone ofprep בְּ + N f sg cstr · עֶצֶם (H6106)Temporal prepositional phrase (emphatic)עֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone, body, self'; בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה = 'on the very/self-same day'; a solemn formula marking the day as fulfillment-moment; cf. Gen 17:23,26.
הַיּ֤וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive of בְּעֶצֶם (construct chain)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the specific day of v.11 on which the cosmic sources burst open; the entry is simultaneous with the onset of the flood.
הַזֶּה֙thisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative identifies the day with the date of v.11; the household enters on the very day the flood begins.
בָּ֣אenteredQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed entry actionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the entry verb fulfilling v.1's imperative; the perfect records the completed entry.
נֹ֔חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subject of בָּאנֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; named first as the primary figure of preservation; the household enters with him.
וְשֵׁםand Shemconj וְ + proper noun · שֵׁם (H8035)Compound subject (coordinated)שֵׁם (H8035) 'Shem'; the eldest of Noah's three sons; ancestor of the Semitic nations including Israel.
וְחָ֥םand Hamconj וְ + proper noun · חָם (H2526)Compound subject (coordinated)חָם (H2526) 'Ham'; second son of Noah; ancestor of the Hamitic nations; named second in the traditional order.
וָיֶ֖פֶתand Japhethconj וָ + proper noun · יֶפֶת (H3315)Compound subject (coordinated)יֶפֶת (H3315) 'Japheth'; third son; ancestor of the Indo-European nations; the waw vowel vav before yod is standard morphology.
בְּנֵיsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive noun in construct (identification)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי נֹחַ = 'sons of Noah'; the appositive identifies Shem, Ham, Japheth as Noah's sons.
נֹ֑חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Genitive of בְּנֵי (construct chain)נֹחַ (H5146); identifying the three named men as Noah's sons; the household structure is made explicit.
וְאֵ֣שֶׁתand the wife ofconj וְ + N f sg cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Compound subject (coordinated)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; singular construct; Noah's wife is enumerated separately from the sons' wives.
נֹ֗חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Genitive of אֵשֶׁת (construct chain)נֹחַ (H5146); 'wife of Noah'; unnamed but carefully counted among the eight preserved persons.
וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁתand three ofconj וְ + numeral m sg cstr · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Compound subject numeral in constructשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; in construct with נְשֵׁי; the three wives of the three sons complete the eight-person household.
נְשֵֽׁיthe wives ofN f pl cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct noun governing בָנָיואִשָּׁה (H802) 'women, wives'; plural construct; 'wives of his sons' = the three daughters-in-law, anonymous in Genesis.
בָנָ֛יוhis sonsN m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of נְשֵׁי (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) plural with 3ms suffix; the sons' wives complete the saved household; eight persons total (2 Pet 2:5).
אִתָּ֖םwith themprep אֵת + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; 3mp suffix = 'with them'; the wives entered with Noah's household as a unified group.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) directional; the final directional phrase completing the entry scene.
הַתֵּבָֽהthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of directional prep אֶלתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the place of safety; the chapter's repeated use of this word (vv.1,7,9,13,15,17,18) marks it as the dominant spatial symbol.
14

הֵ֜מָּה וְכָל הַֽחַיָּ֣ה לְמִינָ֗הּ וְכָל הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ וְכָל הָרֶ֛מֶשׂ הָרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל הָאָ֖רֶץ לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וְכָל הָע֣וֹף לְמִינֵ֔הוּ כֹּ֖ל צִפּ֥וֹר כָּל כָּנָֽף

they, and every living creature according to its kind, and every domestic animal according to its kind, and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth according to its kind, and every bird according to its kind, every winged creature of every sort,

Expanded inventory of the creatures entering with Noah's householdהֵמָּה וְכָל
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
הֵ֜מָּהtheyindep pronoun 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Subject of implied entry verb (resumptive)הֵמָּה (H1992) 3mp independent pronoun 'they'; resumes and expands the subject of v.13 (Noah's household), now extending to the full complement of creatures.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Compound subject phrase (first creature category)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; introduces each creature category with וְכָל; four categories are listed in parallel.
הַֽחַיָּ֣הthe wild creatureart + N f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain)חַיָּה (H2416) 'living creature, wild animal'; often 'wild beast' as distinct from domestic בְּהֵמָה; a separate zoological category.
לְמִינָ֗הּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3fs suffix · מִין (H4327)Prepositional phrase (taxonomic conformity)מִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; from בִּין 'to distinguish'; לְמִינָהּ 'according to its kind' echoes the creation taxonomy of Gen 1 — kinds are preserved, not lost.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Compound subject phrase (second creature category)כֹּל (H3605) second וְכָל; introduces domestic animals as a distinct category.
הַבְּהֵמָה֙the domestic beastart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive of second כָּלבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'domestic/large animal'; contrasted with חַיָּה; the domesticated species are also preserved according to kind.
לְמִינָ֔הּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3fp suffix · מִין (H4327)Prepositional phrase (taxonomic conformity)מִין (H4327) 'kind'; the suffix 3fp here may refer to the animals collectively; each kind is preserved intact.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Compound subject phrase (third category)כֹּל (H3605) third וְכָל; introduces creeping things.
הָרֶ֛מֶשׂthe creeping thingart + N m sg abs · רֶמֶשׂ (H7431)Genitive of third כָּלרֶמֶשׂ (H7431) 'creeping thing, small creature'; collective; from רָמַשׂ 'to creep'; a distinct creature category, cf. Gen 1:24-25.
הָרֹמֵ֥שׂthat creepsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · רָמַשׂ (H7430)Attributive participle (relative modifier)→ Participle: defining characteristic activityרָמַשׂ (H7430) 'to creep, move'; the participle with article functions as a relative clause 'that creeps'; the category is defined by its characteristic motion.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; marks the ground as domain of the creeping things.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the surface where creeping things move; the animals of the earth are preserved to repopulate it.
לְמִינֵ֑הוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Prepositional phrase (taxonomic conformity)מִין (H4327) 'kind'; 3ms suffix; the preservation 'according to kind' repeated ensures future biodiversity after the flood.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Compound subject phrase (fourth category)כֹּל (H3605) fourth וְכָל; introduces birds as the final creature category.
הָע֣וֹףthe birdart + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Genitive of fourth כָּלעוֹף (H5775) 'bird, fowl'; all flying creatures; the four categories (wild, domestic, creeping, birds) comprehensively represent all terrestrial life.
לְמִינֵ֔הוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Prepositional phrase (taxonomic conformity)מִין (H4327) 'kind'; the fourfold repetition of לְמִינֵהוּ/לְמִינָהּ in vv.13-14 echoes the creation taxonomy of Gen 1 and signals that the ark preserves the created order.
כֹּ֖לeveryN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Appositional specifier for birdsכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; begins the final appositive phrase specifying the bird category more precisely.
צִפּ֥וֹרbirdN (c) sg cstr · צִפּוֹר (H6833)Construct noun specifying bird typeצִפּוֹר (H6833) 'bird, sparrow'; a different word from עוֹף; possibly emphasizing smaller birds or all winged species; in construct with כָּנָף.
כָּלeveryN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in second construct phraseכֹּל (H3605); second כֹּל within the phrase; 'every bird of every wing' = every kind of winged creature without exception.
כָּנָֽףwingN f sg abs · כָּנָף (H3671)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain)כָּנָף (H3671) 'wing, winged'; the defining anatomical feature of birds; 'every bird of every wing' = all winged creatures comprehensively.
15

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶל נֹ֖חַ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֑ה שְׁנַ֤יִם שְׁנַ֨יִם֙ מִכָּל הַבָּשָׂ֔ר אֲשֶׁר בּ֖וֹ ר֥וּחַ חַיִּֽים

And they came to Noah, into the ark, two by two from all flesh in which was the breath of life.

Narrative restatement emphasizing the ordered arrival of living creaturesוַיָּבֹאוּ
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּand they cameWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; 3mp because the subject is the creatures; this verse reiterates the entry with theological emphasis on the life-breath criterion.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (first)אֶל (H413) directional; the creatures come to Noah first, then into the ark.
נֹ֖חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Object of first אֶלנֹחַ (H5146); Noah as the gathering point; the creatures come to him, confirming his role as the human locus of salvation.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (second)אֶל (H413) second directional; into the ark itself; the double destination repeats the pattern of v.9.
הַתֵּבָ֑הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of second אֶלתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the final spatial refuge; repeated eight times in ch.7 as the dominant image of preservation.
שְׁנַ֤יִםtwo by twonumeral m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Distributive numeral (adverbial accusative)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; repeated again distributively; the pairing ensures reproductive viability after the flood.
שְׁנַ֨יִם֙two by twonumeral m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Distributive numeral (repeated for distribution)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; the reduplication of the distributive numeral as in v.9 and the command of v.2.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; מִכָּל 'from all' = out of every category of flesh; the scope is universal.
הַבָּשָׂ֔רthe fleshart + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive of כָּל (construct)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; the inclusive term for all living bodily creatures; בָּשָׂר is used as a comprehensive category for life in the flood narrative (cf. 6:13,17,19).
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (restrictive)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; restricts בָּשָׂר to flesh in which the breath of life is found — the criterion of inclusion.
בּ֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּLocative prep + suffix (predicate of rel. clause)בְּ 'in'; 3ms suffix; 'in which was' = the breath of life is located within each creature; the spatial idiom of being 'in' the creature.
ר֥וּחַbreath/spirit ofN (c) sg cstr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of existential clauseרוּחַ (H7307) 'breath, wind, spirit'; in construct with חַיִּים; 'breath of life'; connects to Gen 2:7 where God breathed life into Adam and to v.22 where this exact phrase recurs.
חַיִּֽיםof lifeN m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitive of רוּחַ (construct chain)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, living'; רוּחַ חַיִּים 'breath/spirit of life'; the animating vitality given by God; only creatures with this quality enter — and only this quality defines what the flood destroys (v.22).
16

וְהַבָּאִ֗ים זָכָ֨ר וּנְקֵבָ֤ה מִכָּל בָּשָׂר֙ בָּ֔אוּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה בַּֽעֲדֽוֹ

And those entering were male and female from all flesh; they entered just as God had commanded him. Then Yahweh shut him in.

Summary closure of the entry scene, ending with Yahweh's protective actוְהַבָּאִים
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְהַבָּאִ֗יםand those enteringconj וְ + art + Qal ptc m pl abs · בּוֹא (H935)Substantival participle (subject)→ Participle: those characterized by entryבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the articular participle acts as a substantive 'the ones entering'; it resumes and summarizes the full entry scene.
זָכָ֨רmaleadj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Predicate appositive (gender specification)זָכָר (H2145) 'male'; the gendered pairing formula for the final time in this chapter; male and female from all flesh.
וּנְקֵבָ֤הand femaleconj וְ + N f sg abs · נְקֵבָה (H5347)Coordinated noun (female of pair)נְקֵבָה (H5347) 'female'; completing the reproductive pair; all flesh enters as paired male and female.
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; מִכָּל 'from all'; the scope is total — every kind of flesh is represented by a pair.
בָּשָׂר֙fleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive of כָּל (construct)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; the inclusive category for animate embodied life; all flesh is represented in the ark.
בָּ֔אוּthey enteredQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (completed entry)→ Perfective: completed act of entryבּוֹא (H935) 'to enter'; the third-person plural confirms the completion of the entry of all the creatures named.
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause (conformity to divine command)כַּאֲשֶׁר (k/H834) 'just as'; the conformity formula as in v.9 — the entry exactly matches the divine command.
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Perfective: completed authoritative commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel; the divine commanding is a completed act that the entry now fulfills; the narrative closes the command-obedience loop.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (Noah is object of commanding)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3ms suffix = 'him'; Noah as the recipient of the divine command; he is the mediator through whom the animals come in.
אֱלֹהִ֑יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of צִוָּהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the divine commander in this fulfillment formula (as in v.9); YHWH commanded (v.1) and אֱלֹהִים here attests the same command from a different angle.
וַיִּסְגֹּ֥רand he shutWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb (climactic divine act)→ Wayyiqtol: climactic narrative advanceסָגַר (H5462) 'to shut, close'; the theologically weighty term: YHWH himself closes the ark's door; salvation is not self-secured but divinely sealed.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּסְגֹּריְהוָה (H3068) the divine name; YHWH returns as actor after being named in vv.1,5; his personal closing of the ark is the chapter's theological climax: divine protection is absolute.
בַּֽעֲדֽוֹbehind himprep בְּעַד + 3ms suffix · בְּעַד (H1157)Spatial prepositional phrase (closing)בְּעַד (H1157) 'behind, around, on behalf of'; YHWH shut the door 'behind him/around him' = sealed him in; the preposition can mean both 'behind' (spatial) and 'on behalf of' (benefactive).
17

וַֽיְהִ֧י הַמַּבּ֛וּל אַרְבָּעִ֥ים י֖וֹם עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ הַמַּ֗יִם וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ אֶת הַתֵּבָ֔ה וַתָּ֖רָם מֵעַ֥ל הָאָֽרֶץ

And the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the waters increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth.

Narrative advance: the flood begins in force and the ark is lifted clear of the earthוַיְהִי
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַֽיְהִ֧יand it wasWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Narrative transition verb→ Wayyiqtol: narrative sequence markerהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; וַיְהִי again as temporal transition introducing the flood's duration and effect.
הַמַּבּ֛וּלthe floodart + N m sg abs · מַבּוּל (H3999)Subject of וַיְהִימַבּוּל (H3999) 'flood, deluge'; the flood as event is now the subject; its duration is quantified at forty days.
אַרְבָּעִ֥יםfortynumeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Accusative of durationאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the flood lasted forty days upon the earth; cf. vv.4,12 where this duration was announced and confirmed.
י֖וֹםdaysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Noun of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completing the duration phrase.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the flood is upon the earth for forty days.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the whole earth is submerged under the forty-day flood.
וַיִּרְבּ֣וּand they increasedWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — waters multiplyingרָבָה (H7235) 'to increase, multiply, be many'; the waters grow in volume; the same root used of multiplication in creation; now inverted as waters overwhelm life.
הַמַּ֗יִםthe watersart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of וַיִּרְבּוּמַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; the subject from now through v.20; the waters are the active agent of judgment in this section.
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙and they liftedWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: consecutive action — waters lifting arkנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the waters are so deep they lift the ark; the ark is borne upon the flood rather than sinking in it.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הַתֵּבָה as definite direct object of נָשָׂא.
הַתֵּבָ֔הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Direct object of וַיִּשְׂאוּתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the ark is lifted and borne by the very floodwaters that destroy everything else; a vivid image of preservation within judgment.
וַתָּ֖רָםand it roseWayyiqtol Qal 3fs · רוּם (H7311)Predicate verb (narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: result — ark rising above earthרוּם (H7311) 'to be high, to rise'; 3fs because תֵּבָה is feminine; the ark rises above the earth on the waters — separated from the doomed land beneath.
מֵעַ֥לfrom aboveprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Compound prepositional phrase (separation)מֵעַל (m/H5921) 'from above, from upon'; the compound preposition indicates the ark's departure upward from the earth's surface; it is lifted clear.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of מֵעַל (spatial separation)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the earth is the base from which the ark rises; the flood separates the preserved from the doomed.
18

וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּ הַמַּ֛יִם וַיִּרְבּ֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ וַתֵּ֥לֶךְ הַתֵּבָ֖ה עַל פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם

And the waters prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark moved along on the surface of the waters.

Escalation: the floodwaters now dominate the earth and carry the ark onwardוַיִּגְבְּרוּ
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּand they prevailedWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · גָּבַר (H1396)Predicate verb (escalation)→ Wayyiqtol: escalating narrative advanceגָּבַר (H1396) 'to prevail, be strong, overcome'; the waters now dominate the entire scene; גָּבַר recurs in vv.19,20,24 as the flood's defining characteristic.
הַמַּ֛יִםthe watersart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of וַיִּגְבְּרוּמַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; the dominating subject of the flood description; the waters are the overwhelming force of judgment.
וַיִּרְבּ֥וּand they increasedWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (narrative sequence — repeated escalation)→ Wayyiqtol: continued escalationרָבָה (H7235) 'to increase'; repeated from v.17; the dual verbs (prevailed + increased) amplify the intensity of the waters' dominance.
מְאֹ֖דgreatlyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb of intensificationמְאֹד (H3966) 'very much, exceedingly'; intensifies both verbs; the waters' increasing is extreme.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the waters prevail upon the earth — domination over the whole land mass.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the earth under judgment; the contrast with the ark borne above it is sustained.
וַתֵּ֥לֶךְand it movedWayyiqtol Qal 3fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (ark's movement)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the ark driftingהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk, move'; 3fs for the fem. subject הַתֵּבָה; the ark moves along the surface — not controlled by human navigation but carried by the waters.
הַתֵּבָ֖הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Subject of וַתֵּלֶךְתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the ark moves without a helmsman — it is YHWH's provision bearing its cargo safely.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the ark moves on the surface of the waters.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct governing הַמָּיִםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface'; פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם 'surface of the waters'; echoes Gen 1:2 where the Spirit moved over the same surface before creation; now the ark moves there.
הַמָּֽיִםthe watersart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Genitive of פְּנֵי (construct chain)מַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; the watery surface on which the ark floats; the same primordial waters that were gathered in Gen 1:9-10 now cover the earth again.
19

וְהַמַּ֗יִם גָּֽבְר֛וּ מְאֹ֥ד מְאֹ֖ד עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיְכֻסּ֗וּ כָּל הֶֽהָרִים֙ הַגְּבֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר תַּ֖חַת כָּל הַשָּׁמָֽיִם

And the waters prevailed more and more upon the earth, and all the high mountains that were under all the heavens were covered.

Further intensification: the flood reaches universal topographical supremacyוְהַמַּיִם
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְהַמַּ֗יִםand the watersconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject (new clause, furthering escalation)מַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; the waters continue as the dominant subject; the waw opens a new escalation clause.
גָּֽבְר֛וּprevailedQal perf 3cp · גָּבַר (H1396)Predicate verb (continuing escalation)→ Perfective: completed and established prevailingגָּבַר (H1396) 'to prevail, be strong'; the key verb of this section, here perfect to describe a settled accomplished state: the waters have definitively prevailed.
מְאֹ֥דexceedinglyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb of intensification (first)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; the double מְאֹד מְאֹד in this verse is an intensifying superlative: 'exceedingly, exceedingly'.
מְאֹ֖דexceedinglyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb of intensification (doubled superlative)מְאֹד (H3966) repeated for superlative; מְאֹד מְאֹד = 'exceedingly, exceedingly'; the doubling marks the absolute maximum of the waters' dominance.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the waters prevail upon the whole earth — no land is exempt.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the entire earth now under water.
וַיְכֻסּ֗וּand they were coveredWayyiqtol Pual 3mp · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (result of prevailing)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative result — mountains coveredכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; Pual passive 3mp; all the high mountains are covered; the passive emphasizes the thoroughness of the inundation.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in construct with הֶהָרִיםכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; no exception — every high mountain is submerged; the totality formula appears repeatedly in the judgment section.
הֶֽהָרִים֙the mountainsart + N m pl abs · הַר (H2022)Subject of וַיְכֻסּוּהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill'; plural; even the tallest features of the earth's topography are covered; nothing protrudes above the flood.
הַגְּבֹהִ֔יםthe high onesart + adj m pl abs · גָּבֹהַּ (H1364)Attributive adjective modifying הֶהָרִיםגָּבֹהַּ (H1364) 'high, lofty, tall'; specifically the tallest mountains are mentioned to maximize the picture of complete inundation; nothing is high enough to escape.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (further specifier)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; introduces the spatial scope: 'that were under all the heavens'.
תַּ֖חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Spatial prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath, instead of'; here 'under all the heavens' = within the entire visible sky — a merism for the whole world.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier modifying הַשָּׁמַיִםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the scope is 'all the heavens' = the entire sky canopy; nothing under the whole sky is exempt.
הַשָּׁמָֽיִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Object of תַּחַת (under all the heavens)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; the whole visible heaven; 'under all the heavens' = throughout the entire world; the flood is truly global.
20

חֲמֵ֨שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה אַמָּה֙ מִלְמַ֔עְלָה גָּבְר֖וּ הַמָּ֑יִם וַיְכֻסּ֖וּ הֶהָרִֽים

Fifteen cubits upward the waters prevailed, and the mountains were covered.

Measurement note: the extent of the inundation is quantifiedחֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
חֲמֵ֨שׁfivenumeral f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral (first part of fifteen)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; combined with עֶשְׂרֵה = fifteen; the measurement specifies the depth of water above the highest mountains.
עֶשְׂרֵ֤הteennumeral f sg abs · עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240)Numeral (tens unit)עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240) '-teen'; combined with חָמֵשׁ = fifteen; the compound number 'fifteen cubits'.
אַמָּה֙cubitsN f sg abs · אַמָּה (H520)Noun of measurement (unit)אַמָּה (H520) 'cubit' (forearm length, approx. 18 inches); fifteen cubits ≈ 7.5 meters/25 feet; this exceeds the draft of the ark (cf. 6:15-16) — the ark floats clear.
מִלְמַ֔עְלָהupwardprep מִן + prep לְ + adv מַעְלָה · מַעַל (H4605)Directional adverbial phraseמַעַל (H4605) 'upward, above'; מִלְמַעְלָה 'from upward' = upward beyond the mountains; the compound preposition-adverb indicates the vertical clearance above the mountaintops.
גָּבְר֖וּprevailedQal perf 3cp · גָּבַר (H1396)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed prevailing of the watersגָּבַר (H1396) 'to prevail, be mighty'; recurs from vv.18,19,24; the fifteen cubits specifies the degree of the waters' prevailing over the mountains.
הַמָּ֑יִםthe watersart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of גָּבְרוּמַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; the subject of prevailing; the measurement is given for the waters above the mountains.
וַיְכֻסּ֖וּand they were coveredWayyiqtol Pual 3mp · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (result clause)→ Wayyiqtol: result of waters prevailingכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; Pual passive; the mountains are covered — the climactic statement of universal inundation.
הֶהָרִֽיםthe mountainsart + N m pl abs · הַר (H2022)Subject of וַיְכֻסּוּ (passive)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; plural; the mountains are the subject of the passive verb — they are covered, overwhelmed by the waters.
21

וַיִּגְוַ֞ע כָּל בָּשָׂ֣ר הָרֹמֵ֣שׂ עַל הָאָ֗רֶץ בָּע֤וֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּבַ֣חַיָּ֔ה וּבְכָל הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץ עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ וְכֹ֖ל הָאָדָֽם

And all flesh that moved on the earth perished: birds, livestock, wild animals, every swarming thing that swarmed on the earth, and all mankind.

Judgment result: the narrative states the death of all terrestrial animate lifeוַיִּגְוַע
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּגְוַ֞עand expired/diedWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · גָּוַע (H1478)Predicate verb (death announcement)→ Wayyiqtol: decisive narrative advance — death of all fleshגָּוַע (H1478) 'to expire, die, perish'; the verb specifically used for animate life ceasing; gentler than מוּת, often used for natural or violent death of living creatures.
כָּלeveryN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject in construct (universal quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the sweep of the death is total — every creature that moves on the earth.
בָּשָׂ֣רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive of כָּל (construct chain — subject)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; the inclusive category; כָּל בָּשָׂר 'all flesh' is the comprehensive term for animate embodied life under judgment.
הָרֹמֵ֣שׂthat movesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · רָמַשׂ (H7430)Attributive participle (modifying כָּל בָּשָׂר)→ Participle: defining characteristic movementרָמַשׂ (H7430) 'to creep, move'; the participle defines which flesh: that which moves upon the earth; comprehensive of all ground-dwelling life.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the domain of the creatures that perish is the earth.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the terrestrial domain; sea creatures are not mentioned as perishing.
בָּע֤וֹףamong the birdsprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Prepositional phrase (distributive enumeration)עוֹף (H5775) 'bird, fowl'; the first creature category enumerated in the death list; even birds perish — they cannot fly indefinitely.
וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙and among the livestockconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Coordinated prepositional phrase (second category)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'domestic/large animal'; the second death category; the livestock perish along with the wild creatures.
וּבַ֣חַיָּ֔הand among the wild creaturesconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Coordinated prepositional phrase (third category)חַיָּה (H2416) 'wild animal, living creature'; third category of the death list; wild animals that escaped the ark perish universally.
וּבְכָלand among everyconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated prepositional phrase (fourth category)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; the final comprehensive category introduced with וּבְכָל; all creeping swarmers are included.
הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץthe swarmersart + N m sg abs · שֶׁרֶץ (H8318)Genitive of כָּל (construct)שֶׁרֶץ (H8318) 'swarming creature, teeming thing'; from שָׁרַץ 'to swarm'; small animate creatures; cf. Gen 1:20-21.
הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץthat swarmsart + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁרַץ (H8317)Attributive participle (relative modifier)→ Participle: defining characteristic actionשָׁרַץ (H8317) 'to swarm, teem'; the participial modifier defines שֶׁרֶץ further; every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the earth as domain of the swarmers.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the earth as domain of the creeping swarmers who all perish.
וְכֹ֖לand everyconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Compound subject (final category — mankind)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the climactic final category that crowns the death list: all mankind.
הָאָדָֽםthe mankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive of כָּל (construct)אָדָם (H120) 'man, mankind, human being'; the same word as in Gen 1:26-27; placed last in the death list as the climax and the primary reason for the judgment (cf. 6:5-7).
22

כֹּ֡ל אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁמַת ר֨וּחַ חַיִּ֜ים בְּאַפָּ֗יו מִכֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֶּחָֽרָבָ֖ה מֵֽתוּ

Everything in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, everything that was on the dry land, died.

Summative restatement: the death report is recast in creation-breath languageכֹּל
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כֹּ֡לallN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of מֵתוּ (universal scope)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, totality'; the subject — everything in whose nostrils the breath of life was present — died; the creation-breath language reframes the death as reversal of Gen 2:7.
אֲשֶׁר֩in whomrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (defining relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; introduces the defining clause: 'in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life'.
נִשְׁמַתthe breath ofN f sg cstr · נְשָׁמָה (H5397)Subject of relative clause (predicate nominative)נְשָׁמָה (H5397) 'breath, spirit, divine breath'; from נָשַׁם 'to pant, breathe'; in construct with רוּחַ חַיִּים; נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים echoes Gen 2:7's נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים breathed into Adam's nostrils.
ר֨וּחַthe spirit ofN (c) sg cstr · רוּחַ (H7307)Construct governing חַיִּיםרוּחַ (H7307) 'breath, wind, spirit'; in construct with חַיִּים; the full phrase נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים = 'the breath of the spirit of life'; the double construct intensifies the life-breath concept.
חַיִּ֜יםof lifeN m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitive of רוּחַ (construct chain)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, living'; the plural of intensity for the animating principle; the death of these creatures is the loss of the life-breath given by God.
בְּאַפָּ֗יוin its nostrilsprep בְּ + N m du cstr + 3ms suffix · אַף (H639)Locative prepositional phrase (location of life-breath)אַף (H639) 'nostril, nose, anger'; dual construct with suffix: 'in its two nostrils'; echoes Gen 2:7 where God breathed into Adam's nostrils; the death undoes creation's animating act.
מִכֹּ֛לfrom allprep מִן + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (scope of land-dwelling)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; מִכֹּל 'from among all' specifies the scope: all that was on the dry land.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (location)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; 'from all that was on the dry land'; restricts the dying to land creatures, not marine life.
בֶּחָֽרָבָ֖הon the dry landprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · חָרָבָה (H2724)Locative prepositional phraseחָרָבָה (H2724) 'dry ground, dry land'; from חָרַב 'to be dry'; a rare term (also Josh 3:17; 4:18; Ezek 30:12); emphasizes the land-dwelling restriction of the death notice — aquatic life is exempt.
מֵֽתוּthey diedQal perf 3cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (climactic death announcement)→ Perfective: completed total deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the most common death verb; the 3cp perfect states the total completed death of all land-breathing creatures; the verse is the death sentence applied universally to those with God-given breath on dry land.
23

וַיִּ֜מַח אֶֽת כָּל הַיְק֣וּם אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה מֵאָדָ֤ם עַד בְּהֵמָה֙ עַד רֶ֨מֶשׂ֙ וְעַד ע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיִּמָּח֖וּ מִן הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיִשָּׁ֧אֶר אַךְ נֹ֛חַ וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ בַּתֵּבָֽה

And he blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the ground, from man to livestock to creeping things and to the birds of the heavens; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah remained, and those who were with him in the ark.

Theological summation: the flood is interpreted as a blotting out, with Noah alone preservedוַיִּמַח
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיִּ֜מַחand he blotted outWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · מָחָה (H4229)Predicate verb (theological summation)→ Wayyiqtol: decisive divine action — total erasureמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe out, blot out, obliterate'; the same verb announced in v.4; now executed; YHWH is the implied subject — the flood is theological judgment, not mere natural disaster.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks כָּל הַיְקוּם as the definite direct object of the divine blotting out.
כָּלeveryN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier (construct with הַיְקוּם)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; cf. v.4 where the same phrase כָּל הַיְקוּם was announced for blotting; now the narrative records the fulfillment.
הַיְק֣וּםthe living substanceart + N m sg abs · יְקוּם (H3351)Direct object of וַיִּמַחיְקוּם (H3351) 'that which stands, living substance, all that exists'; the rare collective term for all living existence; blotted out from the face of the ground.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (location specification)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; 'that was upon the face of the ground'; restricts the blotting to earthly living things.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the creatures on the face of the ground are what is blotted; aquatic life excluded.
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct governing הָאֲדָמָהפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface'; פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה = 'face of the ground'; repeated from v.4 confirming the announcement is now executed.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֗הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive of פְּנֵי (construct chain)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the humus from which אָדָם was formed (Gen 2:7); the flood erases that life from the very earth that gave it origin.
מֵאָדָ֤םfrom manprep מִן + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Prepositional phrase (starting point of extinction range)אָדָם (H120) 'man, mankind'; the highest creature category listed first in the range of what is blotted out.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Terminus marker (range)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as, to'; marks the range of annihilation: from man to beast to creeping things to birds.
בְּהֵמָה֙livestockN f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Terminus object (first)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'domestic animal'; the second category in the extinction range; from man to livestock.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Terminus marker (range — second)עַד (H5704) 'to, as far as'; continues the range: to creeping things.
רֶ֨מֶשׂ֙creeping thingsN m sg abs · רֶמֶשׂ (H7431)Terminus object (second)רֶמֶשׂ (H7431) 'creeping thing'; from רָמַשׂ; the small ground-moving creatures; the extinction range moves downward from humanity to the smallest land animals.
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep עַד · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conj + terminus marker (third)עַד (H5704) 'to, until'; the waw adds the final category in the extinction range.
ע֣וֹףthe birds ofN m sg cstr · עוֹף (H5775)Terminus object (third — birds)עוֹף (H5775) 'bird, fowl'; in construct with הַשָּׁמַיִם; birds complete the extinction list; the very creatures that move in the heavens are not exempt.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive of עוֹף (construct chain)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; 'birds of the heavens' — even sky creatures are blotted from the earth; the flood extends its reach to every domain.
וַיִּמָּח֖וּand they were blotted outWayyiqtol Niphal 3mp · מָחָה (H4229)Predicate verb (passive result)→ Wayyiqtol: passive completion of blottingמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe out'; Niphal passive 3mp — 'they were blotted out'; the passive focuses on the creatures as recipients of the obliteration, echoing the active voice of the first clause.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source of removal)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; removal from the earth — the creatures are erased from their domain.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of מִן (source of removal)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the creatures are blotted out from the earth; this frames the exception that follows: only Noah remains on the earth (in the ark).
וַיִשָּׁ֧אֶרand remainedWayyiqtol Niphal 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (exception — climactic preservation)→ Wayyiqtol: decisive narrative exceptionשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain, be left over'; Niphal; the key verb of preservation — Noah alone remains when everything else is blotted out; the theological contrast is stark.
אַךְonlyadv particle · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive particle (exception marker)אַךְ (H389) 'only, but, surely'; a restrictive adverb introducing the sole exception to the universal death; the total destruction is qualified only by Noah's survival.
נֹ֛חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subject of וַיִשָּׁאֶרנֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; the sole named survivor; his preservation is the culmination and purpose of the whole flood narrative — the righteous remnant through whom creation continues.
וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥רand those whoconj וְ + rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Compound subject (those with Noah)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative as substantive 'those who'; with waw: 'and those who were with him'; Noah's household and the animals are included in the preservation.
אִתּ֖וֹwith himprep אֵת + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; 3ms suffix; all those with Noah — family and animals — remain; salvation in this narrative is communal, not solitary.
בַּתֵּבָֽהin the arkprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Locative prepositional phrase (the preserved space)תֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the final occurrence of the key noun in the chapter; the ark is the space of preservation within universal destruction — the divinely sealed refuge.
24

וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּ הַמַּ֖יִם עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֽוֹם

And the waters prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.

Closing duration notice: the dominance of the waters is sustained over a long fixed periodוַיִּגְבְּרוּ
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּand they prevailedWayyiqtol Qal 3mp · גָּבַר (H1396)Predicate verb (closing statement of duration)→ Wayyiqtol: closing narrative statementגָּבַר (H1396) 'to prevail, be strong'; the chapter's closing reuse of this verb (cf. vv.18,19,20); the waters' dominance is sustained over the long final period.
הַמַּ֖יִםthe watersart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Subject of וַיִּגְבְּרוּמַיִם (H4325) 'waters'; the waters continue to prevail; the chapter ends as it progressed — with the waters dominant over the earth.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; the earth remains under the dominion of the flood as the chapter closes.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַל (locative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the earth remains submerged; the closing statement leaves the world under judgment pending the turn of ch.8.
חֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftynumeral c pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Numeral (first part of 150)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; combined with וּמְאַת = one hundred and fifty days; the duration of the waters' prevailing before they begin to recede (cf. 8:3).
וּמְאַ֖תand a hundredconj וְ + numeral c sg cstr · מֵאָה (H3967)Coordinated numeral (hundreds unit)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; singular construct מְאַת; fifty + one hundred = one hundred and fifty days of the flood's dominion; the number marks a long period of sustained judgment.
יֽוֹםdaysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Noun of duration (completing the count)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the final word of ch.7 — one hundred and fifty days; the flood's duration is precisely measured, underlining that it is a divinely ordered and bounded judgment, not chaos.