Genesis Chapters 7 and 8
Almost all cultures have some type of “flood” story but the Bible is the only version that explains the flood in terms of man’s sin. In most cultures, the flood is the result of the gods being bored with, or tiring of, man. See Britannica Encyclopedia for more information on flood stories from different cultures.
Critics point to The Epic of Gilgamesh (written during the Sumer Empire) as being the source for the biblical Flood. I had never heard of The Epic of Gilgamesh until I began this study. Apparently, it is one of the classic epics, even pre-dating Homer. If you enjoy reading ancient texts, here is a link to the Penguin Classic on Amazon. Kindle copies are also available.
How long was the Flood?
How long did the Flood last? Many scholars interpret the 40 days and 40 nights as symbolic rather than actual time, especially since the number 40 indicates completeness in Middle Eastern cultures. The same has been said of the 150 days. It is merely an approximation.
I tried to put together a time line for the Flood, but I couldn’t quite get the numbers to add up. There is a timeline based on months and another based on days. And of course, there is the question of how many days were in a biblical month.
- Flood started in the 2nd month and 17th day of year 1
- Flood ended in the 2nd month and 27th day of year 2
If I look at the months and if we assume an average of 30 days per month, the total days come to 371.
Some scholars suggest that the 150 days of flood waters and the 150 days before the Ark rested should be viewed as the same 150 days, which makes the flood 244 days long. Some timelines include the first 40 days in the first 150 days, which makes the flood 354 days long.
If I look at the days, I calculate 394 days. So which is it 371, 394, 244 or 354?
Dr. Danny R. Faulkner gives a comprehensive discussion of how the length of the flood has been calculated in his article How Long Did the Flood Last? He concludes with the following statement:
“What difference does it make how long the Flood was? Ultimately, it matters relatively little. However, from time to time we are asked about the Flood’s duration, and it behooves us to offer the best answer. . . . However, to dogmatically state that “The Flood was x days long” elevates one’s opinion, and it ignores the fact that others with an equal commitment to the authority of Scripture have reached different conclusions. ”
I have to admit it was nice to come across an article where the author was willing to admit that the Bible is not clear on a topic and to suggest a response that begins with “I think.”