Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
Genesis 7:11 · King James Version
Meaning
Genesis 7:11 marks a significant moment in the biblical story of Noah's Ark. In this verse, it is stated that in the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, a cataclysmic event occurs where all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. This event is often interpreted as the beginning of the Great Flood, a pivotal event in the Book of Genesis where God brings forth a deluge to cleanse the earth of wickedness. The breaking open of the fountains of the great deep and the opening of the windows of heaven signify a complete inundation of the earth with water, symbolizing a rebirth or renewal of creation. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the flood narrative, highlighting the divine judgment and the salvation of Noah and his family through the construction of the Ark. Overall, Genesis 7:11 is a powerful and evocative verse that marks a turning point in the biblical story of Noah's Ark.
Theological Overview
This verse from the book of Genesis describes the events leading up to the Great Flood during Noah's time. The phrase "the fountains of the great deep were broken up" refers to the bursting forth of underground water sources, which contributed to the flooding of the earth. The mention of "the windows of heaven were opened" signifies the heavy rainfall that accompanied the cataclysmic event. The theological interpretation of this verse showcases God's power and judgment upon a sinful world. The breaking up of the great deep and the opening of the heavens symbolize the magnitude of the flood as a divine intervention in response to the wickedness of humanity. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of following God's commands. It also highlights the importance of faith and obedience, as seen in Noah's righteousness and the subsequent salvation of his family through the ark.
Genesis 7:11 in other translations
American Standard Version
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
World English Bible
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep were burst open, and the sky’s windows were opened.
Douay-Rheims
In the six hundredth year of the life of Noe, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month, all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the floodgates of heaven were opened:
Geneva Bible (1599)
In the sixe hundreth yeere of Noahs life in the second moneth, the seuetenth day of the moneth, in the same day were all the fountaines of the great deepe broken vp, and the windowes of heauen were opened,