Tag Archives: Genesis 7:20

Δέκα πέντε πήχεις ἐπάνω ὑψώθη τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ ἐπεκάλυψεν πάντα τὰ ὄρη τὰ ὑψηλά (Genesis 7:20 LXX) Overview: The Flood’s Final Reach

Genesis 7:20 LXX captures the climax of divine judgment in the flood narrative — the point at which even the highest mountains vanish beneath the rising waters. This brief but potent verse is constructed with precision of measurement, a divine passive, and a telling combination of accusative objects that mark the totality of submersion.

Δέκα πέντε πήχεις ἐπάνω ὑψώθη τὸ ὕδωρ: Passive Elevation Beyond Earth Literal Rendering:

“Fifteen cubits above the water was raised.”

Grammatical Components:

– δέκα πέντε πήχεις: “fifteen cubits” — accusative plural, measurement of length – ἐπάνω: “above” — functioning adverbially, denoting vertical distance – ὑψώθη: aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular, from ὑψόω (“to lift up, raise”) – τὸ ὕδωρ: nominative subject — “the water”

Syntax and Semantics:

– Though δέκα πέντε πήχεις appears first, it modifies the verb ὑψώθη by indicating the degree of elevation.… Learn Koine Greek