Genesis 7:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

At the moment the flood commenced by the decree of the Lord, Noah, along with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, stepped into the ark, accompanied by animals of all kinds (Gen. 7:1-2).

The Lord God sealed the ark's entrance, ensuring that no one could breach it when the waters surged, preventing anyone from entering. The deluge persisted across the earth, leading to the demise of all living beings, leaving only Noah and those with him inside the ark (Gen. 7:17, 21, 23). For forty days and nights, the depths of the earth and the floodgates of heaven were unleashed, and the ark was lifted by the waters for a duration of one hundred and fifty days (See Gen. 7:24).

This is referred to as ‘the eighth day,’ hence some psalms are designated as ‘on the eighth.’ It marks the conclusion of the synagogue and the advent of the Church. This day corresponds to the number eight, the figure representative of the souls saved in the ark. Peter states, “So also we are saved by the Church.”

When God declares that He departed from Abraham, or that He spoke to Moses, or that the Lord descended to observe the city and the tower that humanity was constructing, or that God closed the ark of Noah from the outside, it is crucial to understand that the eternal God does not literally descend or ascend from any location. The ineffable Father, sovereign over all creation, does not come to any specific place, nor does He walk, slumber, or rise; rather, He remains in His own realm, whatever that may encompass, perceiving and comprehending all things with a power that transcends our understanding. His vision and knowledge encompass everything, leaving no one hidden from His sight.