Was There Rain, Stability, or Never Again? Examining Flood Contradictions in Genesis

In this article, you will learn how Genesis 7:11 contradicts Genesis 2:5, Genesis 8:22 and Genesis 9:11. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..

The narrative of the Great Flood in Genesis introduces several apparent contradictions when read alongside other verses in the same book. This has led to questions and discussions about the consistency of the text.

Starting with Genesis 7:11, we learn about the dramatic beginning of the flood, described as both the "fountains of the great deep" bursting open and the "windows of heaven" being unleashed. This verse depicts a cataclysmic event involving water both from below and above. This imagery signifies a radical transformation of the world’s natural order, as water engulfs the earth.

Yet when we turn to Genesis 2:5, we find an assertion that no rain had existed upon the earth at an earlier time. This raises questions about the introduction of rain in Genesis 7. How do we reconcile a world that had not experienced rain with one that suddenly endures a catastrophic deluge? It’s akin to a desert experiencing a flood without any preceding storm clouds — unexpected and puzzling.

As the flood narrative progresses, Genesis 8:22 introduces another layer of complexity. It promises a return to stability with regular seasons and cycles, suggesting a restoration and assurance of consistency in nature. This seems in tension with the upheaval described in Genesis 7:11. Imagine a pendulum swinging from chaos to order—each swing contradicting the calmness promised post-flood.

Lastly, Genesis 9:11 presents a divine covenant that no flood will ever again destroy the earth. This assurance contrasts with the devastation described in Genesis 7:11. It's like a pledge of non-repetition posed against the backdrop of past calamity.

These verses, when placed side by side, invite reflection on the narrative’s coherence. Is this a series of evolving promises, a text of metaphors, or simply human attempts to capture divine mystery? Such contradictions encourage readers to explore deeper meanings behind the text's surface.