Genesis 7:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Scripture records that “Noah was six hundred years old” for a purpose; it not only informs us of his age but also connects back to an earlier mention that “Noah was five hundred years old” (Gen. 5:31).

By stating Noah’s age, the Scripture illustrates the relentless inclination towards sin in humankind, as shown when it reminds us that “the thoughts of man's heart are evil from youth” (Gen. 8:21). This prompted God to declare that “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is flesh” (Gen. 6:3), indicating His impending judgment. To afford mankind a chance for repentance, God decreed, “their days shall be a hundred and twenty years,” allowing this righteous man ample time to warn others, encouraging them to turn from their sins and embrace righteousness. For five hundred years, Noah called upon his contemporaries to heed this divine counsel, urging them to abandon wrongdoing and pursue virtue. Additionally, God graciously extended the period for repentance by another hundred and twenty years, hoping they would seize this opportunity to turn from their sinful ways.

Moreover, God commanded Noah to construct an ark, ensuring that its presence would serve as a compelling warning to the people about the severe judgment approaching them. The commitment of this righteous man to building the ark should have incited fear and reverence among all sensible people, prompting them to seek the mercy of such a kind and merciful Lord.

In contrast, we can draw a comparison with the Ninevites, whose repentance stands as a contrasting example, illustrating the extreme depravity of Noah's contemporaries versus the incredible turn of heart observed among the Ninevites. In that decisive moment of judgment, our Lord will separate the faithful from the unfaithful, rebuking those who failed to strive for righteousness despite having received similar opportunities and blessings. As stated in the Gospel, “The men of Nineveh will rise in judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and indeed, a greater than Jonah is here” (Matthew 12:41). The Ninevites, who had no prophetic guidance, no miraculous signs, but only the word of a man who had escaped disaster, repented fervently, demonstrating a sincere turning away from sin.

They will stand in judgment against those who, having witnessed prophetic messages and the miracles of Christ, proved to be more disobedient. Thus, the Lord points out their lack of faith, declaring that the Ninevites will condemn their generation for their hardened hearts. Notably, He remarks, “For they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here.” While the Ninevites responded to a humble messenger, the people of Noah's time, who encountered the true Creator manifested among them, failed to exhibit a comparable faith, despite witnessing countless acts of compassion and miraculous power.

Returning to Noah's story reveals just how insensible his contemporaries were to the summons of God, contrastively showcasing the benevolence of the Ninevites who, given only three days, did not lose hope for their salvation, while those before Noah spurned a hundred and twenty years of mercy. With their hardened hearts evident, God finally executed swift judgment, cleansing the earth of their rampant wickedness. This framework helps us understand the significance of the record that “Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters engulfed the earth.” It highlights that a century elapsed between the warning given and the judgment enacted, yet even this time did not inspire repentance among the people, despite the revelations they received through Noah's actions.

It raises a poignant question as to why God, who declared “their days shall be a hundred and twenty years,” still brought about the flood prior to that fulfillment. This action testifies to His compassion; He recognized humanity’s obstinacy and sinfulness, which only increased with time. Therefore, He shortened the duration, knowing that further extension would only lead them to deeper condemnation. Indeed, there exists a more severe suffering—eternal punishment in the age to come.

As understood from Christ's pronouncements regarding the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, He asserted that if the miracles displayed in their midst had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, those cities would have repented in dust and ashes. “But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you” (Matthew 11:21-24). This indicates that though punishment is inevitable, those who endure suffering here may encounter a lesser judgment there, having experienced the severity of God’s wrath in this life.

God, witnessing the unrepentant state of Noah's generation, cut short the time allotted for their potential change of heart. His judgments reflect a balance of justice and grace; He promises reprieve to the repentant while withholding it from the unworthy. “If that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it” (Jer. 18:8), He declared, illustrating His responsiveness to the choices of humanity. Thus, seeing how Noah's contemporaries squandered their opportunity, the Lord shortened the timeline for their impending judgment.

As Paul warns the unyielding, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart, you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:4-5). Herein lies the reality that failing to value the patience of God earned a greater condemnation. The Lord's decision to hasten the flood serves as evidence of His just nature, marking Noah at the age of six hundred when it came.

Ultimately, what gain would an additional twenty years have provided for individuals who had already closed their hearts to change? God, desiring to showcase His great mercy, warned them of the flood a full seven days in advance, allowing them time to contemplate their waywardness and influence a change despite the brevity of the time. Notably, the Lord's compassion is apparent, as He, like a skilled physician, sought to bring healing to those spiritually ill. He offered a generous period for reflection and correction, hoping to lead them away from judgment. When the people failed to heed this grace, disaster soon followed. Thus, “Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth” serves as an essential reminder of the urgency of heeding God’s warnings.

Were there not other patriarchs as well? Was there not Noah, who, along with his household, stood apart from all humanity, worthy of salvation from the deluge? In him, as in his sons, we glimpse a foreshadowing of the Church. They found refuge from the flood upon the life-giving tree.