Genesis 8:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe the abrupt transformation and the significant decrease in water levels, resulting in the ark resting upon the mountains. The Scripture notes that the waters swelled fifteen cubits above the mountains, yet it now declares, "the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat." Subsequently, the waters gradually receded until the tenth month, at which point the peaks of the mountains became visible. Reflect on the fortitude of the just man, who could withstand so many months, seemingly confined in darkness.

After the flood had receded, the ark came to rest upon the mountains of Ararat, a name that signifies a testimony of descent. Just as those who have faith in Christ are elevated as if on high mountains, so too did the Word of God descend from above, journeying forth to proclaim His message. God Himself called to them through the prophet, saying, ‘My witnesses, says the Lord, you and My servant whom I have chosen’ (Isaiah 43:10). Thus, the praise of those who are united with Christ rises above the distractions of this world.

Furthermore, it is noted that in the six hundred first year of Noah's life, precisely on the first day of the first month, the waters of the earth receded. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month, known as Jorah, the land was dry (Gen. 8:13-14). Thus, Noah and his companions remained in the ark for three hundred sixty-five days. From the twenty-seventh of the second month of Jorah to the same day in the following year, according to the lunar calendar, there indeed comprised three hundred sixty-five days. It is important to observe that during Noah's time, a year was also recognized as containing three hundred sixty-five days; hence, one might conclude that the Chaldeans and Egyptians were the ones who developed and formalized such a calendar system.

On September 27, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat in Armenia, yet the land did not promptly emerge from the floodwaters, which receded gradually until December.

The reduction of the waters and the complete end of the flood are clearly indicated by the author through various stages. The first stage: the ark came to a halt. It should not be surprising that the commencement of the water's decrease coincided closely with the ark's cessation, especially considering that Noah's vessel was deeply immersed, that it rested upon a mountain, and that its very stoppage allowed Noah to observe the retreat of the waters. This occurred on the mountains of Ararat. This term has been interpreted by numerous commentators who translate it as Armenia (4 Kings 19:37, Isaiah 37:38). This translation is additionally supported by Burroughs in his work on Flavius Josephus.

The waters of the flood started to diminish after 150 days from its onset (Gen. 8:3), eventually receding to the point where Noah's ark, previously afloat without resting on any mountain peak, now rested upon one of the heights of Ararat. This prominent mountain, or rather a mountain range, is situated in what is now Russian Armenia, near territories of Persia and Turkey, on the elevated plateau of Arax. Among the two major summits of Ararat, the taller one is known as Great Ararat, rising to 17,320 feet, while the other is named Little Ararat, standing at 13,090 feet. Close to Ararat, within the Armenian highlands, was the paradisiacal abode of the first humans, nourished by a river that branched into four distinct rivers beyond the paradise: Tigris, Euphrates, Geon, and Fison.