Genesis 7:6 - Righteousness delays divine judgment?

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Hebrew Text

וְנֹחַ בֶּן־שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וְהַמַּבּוּל הָיָה מַיִם עַל־הָאָרֶץ׃

English Translation

And Noaĥ was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.

Transliteration

Venoch ben-shesh me'ot shana vehamabul haya mayim al-ha'aretz.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְנֹ֕חַ בֶּן־שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה וְהַמַּבּ֣וּל הָיָ֔ה מַ֖יִם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

Parasha Commentary

The Age of Noach at the Time of the Mabul

The verse states that Noach was 600 years old when the Mabul (flood) began. Rashi (Bereshit 7:6) notes that this age is significant because it marks the completion of the 120-year period that Hashem had previously decreed (Bereshit 6:3) as a time for teshuvah (repentance). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 32:7) elaborates that Noach spent these 120 years building the Teivah (Ark) as a means to inspire the people of his generation to repent, but they ignored his warnings.

The Timing of the Mabul

The phrase "וְהַמַּבּוּל הָיָה מַיִם עַל־הָאָרֶץ" ("the flood of waters was upon the earth") is interpreted by the Ramban (Bereshit 7:6) as emphasizing that the flood was not merely rain, but a supernatural event where the waters came from both above (rain) and below (the depths of the earth). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) teaches that the flood began on the 17th of Cheshvan, a date calculated based on the chronology provided in the Torah.

Noach's Righteousness in His Generation

The Midrash (Tanchuma Noach 5) highlights that Noach's age of 600 at the time of the Mabul underscores his righteousness. Despite living in a corrupt generation, he remained steadfast in his devotion to Hashem. The Zohar (Noach 63a) adds that Noach's longevity was a merit for his righteousness, as he was granted extended life to fulfill his mission of preserving humanity and the animal kingdom.

Rashi: Noach's age connects to the 120-year warning period.
Ramban: The flood was a dual punishment from above and below.
Talmud: The flood began on the 17th of Cheshvan.
Midrash & Zohar: Noach's age reflects his righteousness and divine mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How old was Noah when the flood started?
A: According to Genesis 7:6, Noah was 600 years old when the flood began. This is based on the Torah's account and is understood literally in traditional Jewish sources like Rashi and the Talmud.

Q: Why does the Torah mention Noah's age when the flood started?
A: The Torah specifies Noah's age to highlight his righteousness and patience. For 120 years (as mentioned in Genesis 6:3), Noah warned people to repent while building the ark. His age at the flood's onset shows his dedication to fulfilling Hashem's command despite the long wait, as explained in Midrash and commentaries like Rashi.

Q: What is the significance of Noah being 600 years old?
A: Noah's age of 600 years at the time of the flood emphasizes his role as a new beginning for humanity. The number 600 is seen symbolically in Jewish thought—some commentaries (like the Ba'al HaTurim) note that it corresponds to the Hebrew letter 'ת' (tav), representing truth and completion, marking the end of the corrupt generation and the start of a renewed world.

Q: How does Noah's age relate to his mission?
A: Noah's advanced age teaches that serving Hashem and fulfilling a divine mission is possible at any stage of life. Despite being 600 years old, Noah diligently built the ark and gathered animals, showing that age does not limit one's ability to carry out G-d's will, as discussed in Jewish ethical works like the Rambam's writings on perseverance.