Genesis 7:19

Authorized King James Version

And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהַמַּ֗יִם
And the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#2
גָּ֥בְר֛וּ
prevailed
to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
#3
מְאֹ֖ד
exceedingly
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
#4
מְאֹ֖ד
exceedingly
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
הָאָ֑רֶץ
upon the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#7
וַיְכֻסּ֗וּ
were covered
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
#8
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
הֶֽהָרִים֙
hills
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#10
הַגְּבֹהִ֔ים
and all the high
elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant
#11
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
תַּ֖חַת
that were under
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#13
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
the whole 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

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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