Genesis 7:20The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.
The setting
Worldwide deluge, ~2400 BC. Water 22.5 feet deep over peaks like Himalayas, Rockies, Alps...
The emotion here: stunned by the precise devastation he must record
The original word
ammāh (אַמָּה) — cubit, the distance from elbow to fingertip, about 18 inches
Why it matters
This is the only flood account that gives precise water depth measurements
Read with care
What most readers miss in Genesis 7:20
God gave Moses the EXACT measurement — fifteen cubits, not 'a lot' or 'very deep'
Common misconceptionPeople think Moses made up round numbers, but fifteen cubits shows God gave him exact specifications for everything — even judgment.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Genesis 7:20
Bible Genome reading
Genesis 7:20 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Genesis 7:20 comes from the book of Genesis, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 5% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include precise measurement, complete submersion, divine thoroughness, judgment finality, overwhelming depth. Notable phrases: fifteen cubits upward; mountains were covered; waters prevailed.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Genesis 7:20 mean to you, today?
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