Genesis 7:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After a week, as the Lord had assured, the floodwaters descended upon the earth.

Let us examine how it can be convincingly demonstrated that the years referenced in the long lifespans of those individuals were not so brief that ten of them equated to one of our years. Rather, they were as lengthy as ours, governed by the annual cycle of the sun. According to Scripture, the flood took place in the six hundredth year of Noah's life. If those years were indeed so short that ten equated to a single year of ours—meaning each consisted of merely thirty-six days—then it would not make sense for it to state, "After seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth." In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month (Gen. 7:10-11)?

After Noah and all the creatures were inside the ark, God chose to wait an additional seven days, keeping the ark's door open. It is remarkable that the lions did not long for their oak trees and that the various animals and birds did not return to their homes. Moreover, Noah's contemporaries, witnessing the events both outside and inside the ark, remained unrepentant in their wrongdoing. God’s desire was to extend the opportunity for the unrepentant to turn from their wickedness for one hundred and twenty years; primarily so that they might find repentance, but also so that the righteous among them could serve as a form of judgment.

The sacred author illustrates that the deluge commenced precisely when foretold. This devout clarity provides far greater instruction than the intricate particulars that many might desire to uncover at this point.

What transpired then? The Scriptures declare, "All the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of heaven were opened; and rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights" (Gen. 7:11-12). Moreover, it states that "all flesh that moved upon the earth perished" (Gen. 7:21). Ultimately, "only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark" (Gen. 7:23). Therefore, I pose this question to those who believe that God is indifferent to human matters: do they not recognize that during that time, God was deeply engaged in the affairs of the world and executed His judgment?