“And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.”
This verse is part of the account of the Great Flood, which is described in the book of Genesis. The Flood narrative begins in Genesis 6:5, where God sees the wickedness of humanity and decides to bring judgment upon the earth. He instructs Noah to build an ark and gather pairs of every kind of animal to preserve them during the Flood.
In Genesis 7:19, we see the extent of the floodwaters. It says, “And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth,” indicating that the waters became increasingly powerful and widespread. The phrase “all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered” emphasizes the universality of the Flood. It suggests that the waters rose so high that they completely covered even the highest mountains on the earth.
This verse underscores the magnitude and severity of the Flood. It highlights the overwhelming nature of God’s judgment upon the wickedness of humanity at that time. The Flood was not a localized event but a global catastrophe, reshaping the earth’s surface and wiping out all life, except for Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark.
For believers, this account serves as a reminder of God’s justice and His ability to execute judgment when necessary. It also underscores the importance of obedience to God’s commands. Noah found favor in God’s eyes because he was righteous and walked with God (Genesis 6:9). As a result, he and his family were spared from the destruction that befell the rest of humanity.
Moreover, the story of the Flood foreshadows a greater message of redemption and salvation found throughout the Bible. Just as God provided a way of escape for Noah and his family through the ark, He has provided a way of salvation for humanity through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ark of safety, and those who trust in Him are saved from the judgment of sin and death.
In conclusion, Genesis 7:19 describes the overwhelming power of the floodwaters during the Great Flood, which covered all the high hills on earth. This account serves as a reminder of God’s judgment, the importance of obedience, and the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.
