Genesis 7:20 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

The water rose fifteen cubits higher than the mountains, completely covering them.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse describes how the flood waters rose so high that they covered even the tallest mountains by about 22 feet.

📚 Historical Context

This verse is part of the account of Noah's flood, when God judged the earth for its wickedness. A cubit was an ancient measurement of about 18 inches, so fifteen cubits would be approximately 22-23 feet. The writer emphasizes the totality of the flood's destruction by noting that even the highest peaks were submerged.

Explore Similar Verses

Hosea 10:8

The worship sites at Aven — where Israel went completely off track — are going to be wiped out. Weeds and thorns will grow all over their altars. People will be so desperate they'll beg the mountains to bury them and the hills to crush them.

Isaiah 11:9

They will not harm or destroy anything in all my holy mountain, because the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD, just as water covers the sea.

Genesis 7:19

The waters rose tremendously high over the earth, and all the tall mountains under the entire sky were completely covered.

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📚 Historical Context

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