Have you ever noticed that there are actually four accounts of the Great Flood, each sharing different versions of the same basic elements?

If we read Genesis 6:17 – 7:16, we are reading the events from God’s establishment of a covenant with Noah to the time YHVH closed the door of the Ark (a spiritual thought in itself, and there are many commentaries to the point that God called to Noah from inside the ark, as well as YHVH shutting him in. No need to belabor a point well established). The four stories can be found in Genesis 6:17-22; 7:1-6; 7:7-10; and 7:11-17. Though their contents do not appear in the same chronological order, all four share details of the following events:

  1. The entrance of Noah’s household into the Ark (6:18; 7:1; 7:7; and 7:13).
  2. Specifications of the animals which entered the Ark (6:19-20; 7:2; 7:8; and 7:14-16a).
  3. Arrival of the flood by water or rain (6:17; 7:4; 7:10; and 7:12).
  4. The obedience of Noah (6:22; 7:5; 7:9c; and 7:16b).

Some accounts provide details which remain unmentioned in the others – i.e. Genesis 6:21, which records Noah gathering food provisions, and 7:2-3, the only verses explaining that clean animals and birds were to come aboard in seven pairs apiece (the other accounts only mention the animals came in pairs).

If we compare the verses side by side, reading each idea from left to right, we gain some interesting, nerdy analysis:

Did you notice how, as you read from left to right, you gained a little something extra by time you reached the fourth account (7:11-7:16)?

In the fourth and final account, Noah’s sons are mentioned by name, and this runs parallel to birds becoming overemphasized as well – with the Scriptures saying “every bird of every sort” – and this is no coincidence. I believe it’s another one of those mysterious biblical codes – one which might prime us to understand some of the Bible passages that don’t quite make sense at first.

For example, when Yeshua taught about faith, He said, “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and put in his own garden. It grew, and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky lodged in its branches.” (Luke 13:19) When we read verses such as these, we understand that birds are symbolic of people, for it is souls coming home to God – not birds in nests – that Yeshua was referring.

Returning to the Ark, let’s recall the previous illustrations to birds we’ve already uncovered, such as the use of the Hebrew qiniym to denote the “nests” of the Ark (this is commonly translated as “rooms”). God also told Noah to bring seven pairs of each bird, which also shares a distinction with clean animals. (vv. 7:2-3). So, everywhere we look in the symbolism and illustrations of the Ark, we find birds, which includes being emphasized just as much as the sons of Noah, as we see in the above analysis.

Therefore, I suggest using this code to understand other passages of Scripture, to uncover the deeper meaning. We already mentioned the parable of the mustard seed (in Luke 13:19), but this rule may also apply to the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3), and even in mysterious passages like Deuteronomy 22:6.

This subject will also play out in the next chapter of Genesis 8, where we have two interesting prophecies of the fate of nations. In the meantime, however, I hope laying out the four accounts has uncovered another mystery for us and will bring you closer to understanding God’s will.