How Long Did It Rain During the Flood?

The Flood of Noah’s time is one of the most dramatic events in the Bible. A key detail often asked about is: how long did it rain? Scripture provides a precise answer, and understanding it helps clarify the severity of the Flood, its timeline, and God’s judgment on a corrupted world.

This article explores the duration of the rain, its role in the Flood, and its theological significance.

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1. The Biblical Account of the Rain

The duration of the rain is explicitly mentioned in Genesis:

Genesis 7:12

“And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”

Genesis 7:17

“And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.”

Key points from Scripture:

• The rain lasted 40 days and 40 nights.

• It was continuous and unprecedented in volume.

• It contributed to the rising of the waters that covered the entire earth.

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2. The Role of the Rain in the Flood

The rain was one of two main sources of the Flood waters:

A. Rain from the Heavens (“Windows of Heaven”)

Genesis 7:11–12

“…the windows of heaven were opened, and the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.”

• The phrase “windows of heaven” indicates an extraordinary outpouring of water from the sky.

• This was not ordinary rainfall; it was cataclysmic, sustained, and global.

• The rain caused rivers and lakes to overflow, combining with water from beneath the earth.

B. Waters from Below (“Fountains of the Great Deep”)

While the rain fell for 40 days and nights, the floodwaters continued to rise due to underground sources bursting forth.
This means the rain alone did not cause the flood, but it contributed to the total inundation.

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3. Why 40 Days and 40 Nights?

The number 40 appears frequently in the Bible, often symbolizing testing, trial, or preparation:

• Moses on Mount Sinai: 40 days and nights (Exodus 24:18)

• Israelites in the wilderness: 40 years (Numbers 14:33–34)

• Jesus fasting in the desert: 40 days (Matthew 4:2)

In the Flood:

• The 40 days of rain represent a period of divine judgment and purification.

• The rain prepared the world for a new beginning, cleansing the earth of corruption.

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4. How the 40 Days of Rain Fit Into the Flood Timeline

Although the rain lasted 40 days, the Flood itself lasted much longer.

A. Timeline Summary

• Rain duration: 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12)

• Waters prevailed and covered the earth: 150 days (Genesis 7:24)

• Ark rested on Mount Ararat: 150th day (Genesis 8:4)

• Waters receded, and dry land appeared: Several months later (Genesis 8:13–14)

Thus, the rain was the initial and dramatic part of the Flood, but the waters remained for months before the earth was habitable again.

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5. Theological Significance of the Rain

A. A Sign of God’s Judgment

The continuous rain symbolized:

• God’s response to human wickedness

• The seriousness of sin

• The complete cleansing of corruption from the earth

B. Testing of Noah’s Faith

The 40 days of rain required Noah’s absolute obedience and trust:

• He was confined in the ark with his family and animals

• Noah prepared for what must have seemed impossible

• His faith exemplifies perseverance under trial (Hebrews 11:7)

C. Symbol of Renewal

The rain, combined with the waters from the deep, also foreshadows:

• Baptism as a spiritual cleansing (1 Peter 3:20–21)

• God’s plan for a fresh start for humanity

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6. Summary of the Rain Duration

Key Fact:
👉 The rain lasted exactly 40 days and 40 nights, but the Flood as a whole lasted over a year, including rising and receding waters.

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7. Conclusion

The 40-day rain during the Flood was:

• Unprecedented in intensity and duration

• Part of God’s judgment on a corrupt world

• A test of Noah’s faith and obedience

• A symbol of cleansing and renewal

It marked the beginning of the Flood, which reshaped the earth and prepared humanity for a new start under God’s covenant.

What caused the Flood waters to come upon the earth