Genesis 7:12
Genesis 7:12 in Multiple Translations
And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
And rain came down on the earth for forty days and forty nights.
Rain continued to fall on the earth for forty days and nights.
And the raine was vpon the earth fourtie dayes and fourtie nightes.
and the shower is on the earth forty days and forty nights.
It rained on the earth forty days and forty nights.
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
And the rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
Rain fell on the earth constantly for 40 days and nights.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 7:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 7:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יְהִ֥י
הַ/גֶּ֖שֶׁם
עַל
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים
י֔וֹם
וְ/אַרְבָּעִ֖ים
לָֽיְלָה
וַֽ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/גֶּ֖שֶׁם
geshem
H1653
rain
Art | N-ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
forty
Adj
י֔וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-ms
וְ/אַרְבָּעִ֖ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
forty
Conj | Adj
לָֽיְלָה
layil
H3915
night
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 7:12
וַֽ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/גֶּ֖שֶׁם
geshem
H1653
"rain"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word means a shower or rain, like a refreshing downpour from the sky. It appears in the Bible to describe weather. In the KJV, it is translated as rain or shower.
Definition: rain, shower
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: rain, shower. See also: Genesis 7:12; Ecclesiastes 11:3; Psalms 68:10.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
"forty"
Adj
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Definition: forty
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.
י֔וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
וְ/אַרְבָּעִ֖ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
"forty"
Conj | Adj
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Definition: forty
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.
לָֽיְלָה
layil
H3915
"night"
N-ms
Night refers to the time of darkness, opposed to day, and can also symbolize adversity or hardship. It is a period of rest, but also of potential danger or uncertainty.
Definition: 1) night 1a) night (as opposed to day) 1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: (mid-)night (season). See also: Genesis 1:5; 2 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 1:2.
Study Notes — Genesis 7:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 7:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 7:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 7:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 7:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 7:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 7:12
- Sermons on Genesis 7:12
Context — The Great Flood
10And after seven days the floodwaters came upon the earth.
11In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.
12And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.
13On that very day Noah entered the ark, along with his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and his wife, and the three wives of his sons— 14they and every kind of wild animal, livestock, crawling creature, bird, and winged creature.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 7:4 | For seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living thing I have made.” |
| 2 | Matthew 4:2 | After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. |
| 3 | Genesis 7:17 | For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and the waters rose and lifted the ark high above the earth. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 19:8 | So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 10:10 | I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights, like the first time, and that time the LORD again listened to me and agreed not to destroy you. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 9:18 | Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger. |
| 7 | Exodus 24:18 | Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 9:9 | When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water. |
Genesis 7:12 Summary
The verse Genesis 7:12 describes a dramatic event where it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, symbolizing God's judgment and purification. This event is part of a larger story where God saves Noah and his family from the flood, as promised in Genesis 6:18. The rain and flood serve as a reminder of God's power and holiness, as seen in Psalm 29:3-5, and encourage us to trust in His sovereignty and provision, just like Noah did. By reflecting on this verse, we can deepen our understanding of God's character and His love for us, as expressed in John 3:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the 40 days and 40 nights of rain in Genesis 7:12?
The 40 days and 40 nights of rain symbolize a period of judgment and purification, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Deuteronomy 8:2-3 and Matthew 4:2, where 40 is a number associated with testing and trial.
Was the rain in Genesis 7:12 a local or global phenomenon?
The biblical account suggests that the flood was a global event, as stated in Genesis 7:19, where it says the waters covered all the high mountains, and Genesis 1:9, which describes God gathering the waters under the sky.
How does the rain in Genesis 7:12 relate to God's covenant with Noah?
The rain and subsequent flood serve as a backdrop to God's faithfulness in saving Noah and his family, as promised in Genesis 6:18, demonstrating God's commitment to His covenant and highlighting the importance of faith and obedience, as seen in Hebrews 11:7.
What can we learn about God's character from the event described in Genesis 7:12?
The flood narrative reveals God's holiness, justice, and mercy, as He judges the wicked while saving the righteous, as stated in Genesis 6:5-8 and 2 Peter 2:5, demonstrating His longsuffering and patience towards humanity.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of relentless rain for 40 days and 40 nights evoke in your mind, and how does it relate to times of trial in your life?
- How does the story of the flood encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in the midst of uncertainty?
- In what ways can you identify with Noah's experience of waiting on God, and how can you apply that to your own walk of faith?
- What does this verse teach you about the power and majesty of God, and how can you apply that to your daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 7:12
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights,.... So long it was falling upon it, after the windows of heaven were opened.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 7:12
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. And the rain was upon the earth. [ geshem (H1653), differing from maaTaar (H4306), rain in general, denotes unusual and continuous torrents of rain; cf.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 7:12
God by this gradual proceeding both awakened to repentance, and gave them space for it.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 7:12
Genesis 7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.Ver. 12. Forty days and forty nights.] This was God’ s last warning-piece, shot off at these secure sinners, to arouse them, if haply they would awake out of "the snare of the devil," who lay "taken captive by him, at his will": God loveth to fore-signify, saith the heathen historian.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 7:12
Verse 12. The rain was upon the earth] Dr. Lightfoot supposes that the rain began on the 18th day of the second month, or Marcheshvan, and that it ceased on the 28th of the third month, Cisleu.
Sermons on Genesis 7:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Dove of Noah's Ark by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher uses vivid imagery to describe the world as God saw and judged it. He compares it to a dark and desolate place, satisfied with its own corruption and e |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 6:17-22 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Noah and the flood from the Bible. He emphasizes that Noah did not have to go out and hunt the animals for the ark, but rather th |
|
(Revelation) the Witnesses Sealed on Earth by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the events described in the book of Revelation, specifically focusing on the opening of the seven seals. He mentions that the Lamb in heaven |
|
Alone - Abandonment by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for a revival in the church. He describes the current state of the church as weak and powerless, comparing it to people in Africa l |
|
The Practice of Fasting by Michael Durham | Michael Durham preaches on the significance of fasting as a spiritual discipline, emphasizing that fasting is a tool used by Jesus and His apostles to unplug from the world and con |
|
When Questions Arise by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson discusses the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, emphasizing how the devil sought to exploit Jesus' physical vulnerability by challenging His divine identity an |
|
Life of Elijah - Part 3 by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker shares stories of individuals who were at the end of their rope and on the verge of quitting. However, in these moments of despair, God showed His kindn |