Genesis 8:2
Genesis 8:2 in Multiple Translations
The springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained.
The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
the fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
And the fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were shut, and the rain from heaven was stopped.
The subterranean waters were closed off, and the heavy rainfall was stopped.
The fountaines also of the deepe and the windowes of heauen were stopped and the raine from heauen was restrained,
and closed are the fountains of the deep and the net-work of the heavens, and restrained is the shower from the heavens.
The deep’s fountains and the sky’s windows were also stopped, and the rain from the sky was restrained.
The fountains also of the deep, and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
The fountains also of the deep, and the flood gates of heaven were shut up, and the rain from heaven was restrained.
God caused the water that was under the earth to stop bursting forth, and he caused the floodgates of water from the sky to close so that it stopped raining.
And God stopped the water from coming up from under the ground, and he stopped the rain falling from the sky.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 8:2
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 8:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּסָּֽכְרוּ֙
מַעְיְנֹ֣ת
תְּה֔וֹם
וַֽ/אֲרֻבֹּ֖ת
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
וַ/יִּכָּלֵ֥א
הַ/גֶּ֖שֶׁם
מִן
הַ/שָּׁמָֽיִם
וַ/יִּסָּֽכְרוּ֙
çâkar
H5534
to stop
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מַעְיְנֹ֣ת
maʻyân
H4599
spring
N-mp
תְּה֔וֹם
tᵉhôwm
H8415
abyss
N-cs
וַֽ/אֲרֻבֹּ֖ת
ʼărubbâh
H699
window
Conj | N-fp
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Art | N-mp
וַ/יִּכָּלֵ֥א
kâlâʼ
H3607
to restrain
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/גֶּ֖שֶׁם
geshem
H1653
rain
Art | N-ms
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/שָּׁמָֽיִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 8:2
וַ/יִּסָּֽכְרוּ֙
çâkar
H5534
"to stop"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This word means to stop or shut something up, like a gate or a mouth. It can also imply surrender, like giving up in battle. In the Bible, it is used to describe stopping an action or giving something over to someone.
Definition: 1) to shut up, stop up 1a) (Niphal) to be stopped, be shut up 1b) (Piel) to shut up, give over
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: stop, give over. See also H5462 (סָגַר), H7936 (שָׂכַר). See also: Genesis 8:2; Psalms 63:12; Isaiah 19:4.
מַעְיְנֹ֣ת
maʻyân
H4599
"spring"
N-mp
A mayan was a spring or fountain, and can also refer to a source of satisfaction. It is mentioned in the Bible as a physical spring, but also figuratively as a source of joy or comfort.
Definition: spring
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: fountain, spring, well. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 87:7; Psalms 74:15.
תְּה֔וֹם
tᵉhôwm
H8415
"abyss"
N-cs
Tehom refers to the deep waters of the ocean or sea, including the subterranean water supply. It can also describe the primeval ocean or the abyss.
Definition: 1) deep, depths, deep places, abyss, the deep, sea 1a) deep (of subterranean waters) 1b) deep, sea, abysses (of sea) 1c) primeval ocean, deep 1d) deep, depth (of river) 1e) abyss, the grave
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: deep (place), depth. See also: Genesis 1:2; Psalms 78:15; Psalms 33:7.
וַֽ/אֲרֻבֹּ֖ת
ʼărubbâh
H699
"window"
Conj | N-fp
A window or lattice, often found in houses and used for ventilation. It could also refer to a dovecot or chimney. This word is used in the Bible to describe architecture.
Definition: 1) lattice, window, sluice 2) (CLBL) chimney (lattice opening where smoke escapes)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: chimney, window. See also: Genesis 7:11; Ecclesiastes 12:3; Isaiah 24:18.
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
וַ/יִּכָּלֵ֥א
kâlâʼ
H3607
"to restrain"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to hold something back or restrict it, often used in the Bible to describe God's control over human actions. It appears in books like Leviticus and Psalms, where it talks about restraining evil or withholding punishment. English Bibles translate it as 'restrain' or 'withhold'.
Definition: 1) to restrict, restrain, withhold, shut up, keep back, refrain, forbid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut up 1a2) to restrain 1a3) to withhold 1b) (Niphal) to be restrained 1c) (Piel) to finish
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: finish, forbid, keep (back), refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed, withhold. See also: Genesis 8:2; Psalms 88:9; Psalms 40:10.
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.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/שָּׁמָֽיִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
Study Notes — Genesis 8:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Ark Rests on Ararat
1But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark. And God sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside.
2The springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained.
3The waters receded steadily from the earth, and after 150 days the waters had gone down. 4On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 7:11 | In 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. |
| 2 | Matthew 8:26–27 | “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!” |
| 3 | Proverbs 8:28 | when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, |
| 4 | Matthew 8:9 | For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.” |
| 5 | Jonah 2:3 | For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me. |
| 6 | Job 38:37 | Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Or who can tilt the water jars of the heavens |
| 7 | Job 37:11–13 | He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. They swirl about, whirling at His direction, accomplishing all that He commands over the face of all the earth. Whether for punishment or for His land, He accomplishes this in His loving devotion. |
Genesis 8:2 Summary
This verse, Genesis 8:2, tells us that God stopped the flood by closing the underground water sources and the atmospheric conditions that were causing the heavy rain. This shows us that God is in control of creation and can stop or start natural events, like the rain, as seen in Psalm 107:33-35. The fact that God restrained the rain from the sky and closed the floodgates of the heavens gives us hope and comfort, reminding us that He is always in control, even in difficult situations. By trusting in God's power and control, we can have peace and confidence, just like Noah did when he waited for God's instruction to leave the ark, as seen in Genesis 8:15-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the 'springs of the deep' to be closed?
The 'springs of the deep' refer to the underground water sources that were contributing to the flood, as described in Genesis 7:11, and for them to be closed means that God stopped the flow of water from these sources, which helped to end the flood.
How did God 'restrain' the rain from the sky?
According to Genesis 8:2, God restrained the rain from the sky, which means He stopped the rain from falling, allowing the floodwaters to recede, and this is similar to how God controls the weather in other parts of the Bible, such as in Psalm 135:7.
What is the significance of the 'floodgates of the heavens' being closed?
The 'floodgates of the heavens' refer to the atmospheric conditions that were causing the heavy rain during the flood, and for them to be closed means that God stopped the rain and allowed the sun to shine through, as seen in Genesis 8:2, which is a picture of God's power and control over creation.
Is this event still relevant to us today?
Yes, the event described in Genesis 8:2 is still relevant to us today because it shows us God's power and control over creation, and it reminds us of His promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood, as seen in Genesis 9:11-17, which gives us hope and comfort in times of uncertainty.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's power and control over creation?
- How does the image of the 'springs of the deep' and 'floodgates of the heavens' being closed impact your understanding of God's role in the flood?
- What does the fact that God 'restrained' the rain from the sky tell us about His ability to control the weather?
- How can you apply the truth of God's control over creation to your everyday life, especially in times of uncertainty or chaos?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 8:2
The fountains also of the deep, and the windows of heaven, were stopped,.... The passages which let out the subterraneous waters in great quantity upon the earth, and the clouds of heaven, which
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 8:2
The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 8:2
Genesis 8:2 The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;Ver. 2. And the rain from heaven was restrained.] These four keys, say the Rabbis, God keeps under his own belt: 1. Of the womb; 2. Of the grave; 3. Of the rain; 4. Of the heart. "He openeth, and no man shutteth; he shutteth and no man openeth".
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 8:2
Ch. Genesis 8:1-14. The Diminution of the Waters 1 (P). God remembered] The same expression occurs in Genesis 19:29, Genesis 30:22. It is a form of anthropomorphism which is not infrequent in the O.T. and which is in continual use in the language of devotion. and all the cattle] LXX adds “And all the fowls and all the creeping things.” For the expression of pity for the brute beasts, cf. “and also much cattle,” in Jonah 4:11. God made a wind to pass] The wind was to drive the waters back into their channels, and to dry up the ground. Cf. the action of the wind in Exodus 14:21. 2a (P). the fountains, &c.] The first clause in this verse describes the closing of the sources of the Flood mentioned in Genesis 7:11 (P). 2b, 3a (J). and the rain … continually] This is the duplicate account from J, in whose version the rain for 40 days was the cause of the Flood (Genesis 7:12). 3b (P). after the end, &c.] The 150 days are those mentioned in Genesis 7:24.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 8:2
1-3. God remembered Noah — The ark, containing the seed of the Church and of the human race, a solitary speck in the watery wilderness, was remembered by God. The tokens of that remembrance followed.
Sermons on Genesis 8:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Danger of Doubting by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the doubts and fears that can arise in times of trouble. He encourages the audience to trust in God's purposes and not to doubt His faithfulne |
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The Wickedness of Noah's Day by Carl McIntire | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Noah and the ark as a symbol of God's plan for deliverance. He emphasizes the desperate state of the human heart and the need f |
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Are Earthquakes Natural Disasters or the Result of Judgment for Sin? by Jack Hayford | Jack Hayford preaches on the three assignments every believer has: to show forth good works (Matthew 5:16), shine forth a clear witness (1 Peter 3:15), and sustain a life of effect |
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2 Peter 3:5 by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the willful ignorance of those who profess Christianity yet choose to disregard the foundational truths of creation and divine judgment. He explains that the h |
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Beginning to Sink by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, Dr. Ireland Redpath discusses the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:30. He highlights how Peter's defeat was reversed when Jesus took him by the hand an |
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Freedom Cd - Track 1 (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker, Tyrone, shares his personal testimony of how he was once an atheist and then became involved in drugs and prostitution. However, he had a life-changing |
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Israel in Flight by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of God's people reaching out to the Jewish people during a time of trouble and affliction. He warns that if the Jews are not t |