Genesis 7:11

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שָׁנָה֙
In
a year (as a revolution of time)
#2
שֵׁשׁ
the six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#3
מֵא֤וֹת
hundredth
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#4
שָׁנָה֙
In
a year (as a revolution of time)
#5
לְחַיֵּי
life
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#6
נֹ֔חַ
of Noah's
noach, the patriarch of the flood
#7
לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#8
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
in the second
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#9
בְּשִׁבְעָֽה
the seventeenth
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#10
עָשָׂ֥ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#11
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#12
לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#13
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#14
הַזֶּ֗ה
the same
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#15
נִבְקְעוּ֙
broken up
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
#16
כָּֽל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
מַעְיְנֹת֙
were all the fountains
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
#18
תְּה֣וֹם
deep
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
#19
רַבָּ֔ה
of the great
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#20
וַֽאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת
and the windows
a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water)
#21
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#22
נִפְתָּֽחוּ׃
were opened
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

Analysis

Within the broader context of Genesis, this passage highlights creation and providence through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of life connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about life, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Genesis.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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