7:1__5 _Having made the ark according to God's direction, Noah is now told to embark. He is instructed to take on board SEVEN PAIRS OF ALL CLEAN ANIMALS and a PAIR OF THE ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT CLEAN. On the distinction between clean and unclean creatures, See LEVITICUS 11:1__47 and DEUTERONOMY 14:4__20. Since after the flood some clean animals will be offered as sacrifices (See GENESIS 8:20) and some will be eaten as food (See 9:3), to ensure their survival it was necessary to have more than one pair of each kind in the ark.
7:11__12 _A peculiar feature of the flood narrative is the number of detailed chronological notices (8:4__5, 13__14). By pinpointing the exact date of the flood within Noah's life, the text underlines that it was a real event. ALL THE FOUNTAINS OF THE GREAT DEEP BURST FORTH, AND THE WINDOWS OF THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED (7:11). Powerful imagery is used here to capture the intensity of the flood. From below and above, water poured out to cover the land. RAIN FELL continuously for FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS (VERSE 12).
7:16 _The safety of those in the ark depended on both human and divine action. THE LORD SHUT HIM IN. The use of the personal name "Yahweh" ("Lord"; See on 2:4) underscores God's special relationship with Noah.
7:17__24 _The devastating results of the flood are described, fulfilling the judgment that God had previously pronounced. THE WATERS PREVAILED ON THE EARTH 150 DAYS (Verse 24). The figure of 150 days, which includes the 40 days of rain mentioned in verse 12, is repeated in 8:3. in both places it denote the five-month period that falls between the detailed chronological notices given in 7:11 (marking the very start of the flood on the 17th day of the second month) and 8:4 (when the ark comes to a place of rest on the 17th fay of the seventh month). It will be a further seven months before the land is sufficently dry for those in the ark to disembark safetly (See 8:13__14). On the depth of the flood (ABOVE THE MOUNTAINS), See 6:17.
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