And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.

GENESIS 7:19KJV
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Genesis 7:19 (KJV)

What does Genesis 7:19 mean?

Genesis 7:19 describes how, during the flood in Noah’s time, the waters rose so high that they covered all the high hills everywhere under the sky. This verse emphasizes the totality of the flood, showing that no land remained uncovered by water.

In this part of Genesis, the story is told by the narrator, describing what happened as God judged the earth with a flood. The verse highlights the overwhelming power of the waters, stressing that even the tallest hills were submerged. This detail helps the reader picture the scale of the flood and sets the stage for the events that follow in Noah’s story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 7:19

  • The word for "prevailed" is גָּבַר (gāvar), which means to become mighty or to overpower. Here, it shows that the waters were not just present, but forcefully dominated the land.
  • The phrase "exceedingly" uses מְאֹד מְאֹד (me’od me’od), repeating the word for "very" or "much" to stress just how extreme the flooding was. This double emphasis is rare and signals something truly overwhelming.
  • The word for "covered" is כָּסָה (kāsāh), which means to conceal or hide. In this context, it means the waters completely hid the high hills from view, not just partially but fully.

Why Genesis 7:19 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the flood was local or partial; the language stresses that the entire landscape, even the highest points, was submerged.
  • The strong wording helps the reader grasp the seriousness of the event, making it clear that this was a catastrophe affecting all life on earth, not just a single region.
  • By describing the flood in such absolute terms, the verse connects to the larger theme of Genesis about God’s power and the seriousness of human wrongdoing that led to this judgment.

Where else these words appear

“prevailed” Hebrew H1396 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 7:18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
  • 2 Samuel 11:23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
  • Psalms 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

“under” Hebrew H8478 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Leviticus 14:42 And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other morter, and shall plaister the house.
  • Job 34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

“high” Hebrew H1364 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:5 All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.
  • Psalms 104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
  • Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

“covered” Hebrew H3680 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 7:20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
  • 1 Samuel 19:13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.