In the manner characteristic of the narrator of chapter 7, verse 24 gives the exact number of days the earth was flooded. This verse is treated by some translators as the conclusion to the episode in chapter 7. Others link it to 8.1, so that it introduces the next narrative, concerning Noah’s departure from the boat. In this case verse 24 is sometimes translated as a dependent clause: “When the waters had prevailed….” As noted above, linking this verse to 8.1 gives greater discourse balance to the subdivision.

And the waters prevailed: prevailed occurs here for the fourth time since verse 18. See there for discussion. Here the sense is “the level of the flood water remained high on the land for 150 days” (Bible en français courant). Good News Translation is more detailed: “did not start going down….” We may also say, for example, “The earth remained flooded for 150 days,” “The flood covered the earth for 150 days,” or “The land was flooded for….” One new translation says “Now the water remained the same until 150 days passed.”

Here again a number (150 days) is to be repeated in 8.3. See 8.2-3 for discussion.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .