Genesis 7:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

At the moment the flood was initiated by God's decree, Noah, along with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, boarded the ark, accompanied by animals of every species (Gen. 7:1-2).

The Lord God sealed the ark behind Noah, ensuring that as the floodwaters surged, no one could force open the ark’s door to enter. The deluge persisted across the earth, resulting in the demise of all living beings, leaving only Noah and those aboard the ark (Gen. 7:17, 21, 23). For forty days and nights, the depths of the earth were unleashed and the heavens were opened, while the ark remained adrift on the rising waters for one hundred and fifty days (See Gen. 7:24).

This is the day referred to as 'the eighth day'; hence, some psalms are identified as being 'on the eighth.' It marks the conclusion of the synagogue and the commencement of the Church. According to the number 'eight,' it signifies the souls who were saved in the ark. As Peter states, “we are saved by the Church.”

How astute was Noah in constructing the ark! How upright his character! He was chosen to safeguard the lineage of all humanity, the sole testament of a bygone era and the architect of what was to come, destined more for the benefit of the world and all people than for his own sake. With great bravery, he faced the deluge, and with unwavering determination, he endured it! He understood precisely when to board the ark, how to navigate it, the appropriate times to send out the raven and the dove, and when to welcome them upon their return, as well as how to identify the right moment for landing.

When my God speaks of His departure from Abraham, His communication with Moses, or His descent to observe the construction of the city and tower by humanity, as well as the sealing of Noah’s ark, one must not assume that the eternal God physically descends or ascends from one location to another. The incomprehensible Father, the Sovereign of all, is not confined to any specific location, nor does He walk, rest, or rise; rather, He exists eternally in His own realm. He perceives and comprehends everything, not through physical senses but through His unfathomable power, enabling Him to witness and know all things, with none concealed from Him. He is constant and unaffected by time or space, even by the entire creation, since He was present before the foundation of the world.

In accordance with God's directive, as outlined in verses 12 and 13, Noah along with his family and the animals were instructed to enter the ark within a week's time prior to the onset of the flood. Noah complied with this command (Gen. 7: 4-5), using the entire seven days for the migration into the ark and ensuring that its many occupants had suitable accommodations, as it would have been unmanageable to do this all at once on the day of the flood. Therefore, when it is stated that 'on that day', specifically the day the flood began, ‘Noah and his family entered’, along with ‘all the animals’, it should be interpreted to mean that, likely in the morning of that day, both humans and animals were finally relocated to the ark and made themselves at home within it.