18 The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth , and the ark floated on the surface of the water . 19 The water prevailed more and more upon the earth , so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered . 20 The water prevailed fifteen e cubits higher , and the mountains were covered .

21 All flesh that moved on the earth perished , birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth , and all mankind ; 22 of all that was on the dry land , all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life , died . 23 Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land , from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky , and they were blotted out from the earth ; and only Noah was left , together with those that were with him in the ark . 24 The water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 7:18-24

Commentary on Genesis 7:17-20

(Read Genesis 7:17-20)

The flood was increasing forty days. The waters rose so high, that the tops of the highest mountains were overflowed more than twenty feet. There is no place on earth so high as to set men out of the reach of God's judgments. God's hand will find out all his enemies, Psalm 21:8. When the flood thus increased, Noah's ark was lifted up, and the waters which broke down every thing else, bore up the ark. That which to unbelievers betokens death unto death, to the faithful betokens life unto life.

Commentary on Genesis 7:21-24

(Read Genesis 7:21-24)

All the men, women, and children, that were in the world, excepting those in the ark, died. We may easily imagine what terror seized them. Our Saviour tells us, that till the very day that the flood came, they were eating and drinking, 2 Peter 2:5. How tremendous will be the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men! Happy they who are part of Christ's family, and safe with him as such; they may look forward without dismay, and rejoice that they shall triumph, when fire shall burn up the earth, and all that therein is. We are apt to suppose some favourable distinctions in our own case or character; but if we neglect, refuse, or abuse the salvation of Christ, we shall, notwithstanding such fancied advantages, be destroyed in the common ruin of an unbelieving world.