This verse recalls the words of verse 4 and marks the beginning of the flood. Verse 10 is not the conclusion of the report but rather a transition to a more detailed expansion of the narrative.

After seven days: see comments on verse 4.

The waters of the flood came upon the earth: this last part of verse 10 is parallel to the last part of Gen 7.6. However, the context here is somewhat different, in that verse 6 focuses on the date of the flood in relation to the years of Noah’s life, whereas in this verse we have a report of the actual beginning of the flood. So in many languages a different and more descriptive translation will be required here. Two examples from actual translations are “Seven days passed, then the big water that drowns everything began to run and rise up” and “When seven days had finished, the big tide appeared and began to cover the earth.”

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 .