Definition: For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this very important verse from Genesis 7:4. It’s a pretty dramatic statement about God's power and judgment. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is incredibly powerful and willing to use his power to punish something terrible happening on Earth. He intends to cause a significant amount of destruction – rain, floods, and eventually, everything being destroyed. Let's unpack the details: “For yet seven days…” This tells us that this isn’t a one-time event; it's going to happen over a period of seven days. “…and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights…” This describes the nature of the rainfall. It's not just a little drizzle. It's a massive, prolonged downpour that lasts for four whole days and four nights. Think of it as an incredibly intense storm. “…and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.” This is the most important part . "Every living substance" means everything – plants, animals, people, even rocks! God intends to completely obliterate everything on Earth with this rain and flood. “From off the face of the earth” means it will be wiped out, gone forever. What’s the Significance? This verse is often interpreted as a warning about the potential for humanity to disobey God or to cause chaos and destruction. It's a powerful message about God’s judgment and the importance of following his commandments. It speaks to themes of sin, punishment, and divine wrath. Important Note: This verse isn't meant to be taken literally in the sense that it describes a literal flood in biblical times. Instead, it’s a symbolic representation of God’s judgment against wickedness and rebellion. --- Resources for Further Exploration (optional): Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/7:4](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/7:4) - This provides a good overview of the verse and its context. Wikipedia – Genesis 7: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_7) - A more detailed explanation with historical information. Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of the verse in more detail? Discuss the symbolism behind it? Compare this verse to other stories in the Bible about judgment or punishment?