Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. And the water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered.
Genesis 7:17-19 (NASB)
In Genesis 7, there’s a dramatic build up of power in verses 17, 18, and 19. It reads a little bit like basic repetition in English, but is a very clear increase in the Hebrew.
Vayirbu ha-mayim: and increased- the waters.
Vayigberu ha-mayim vayirbu me’od: and prevailed- the waters, and increased VERY.
Veha-mayim gaveru me’od me’od: and the waters prevailed VERY VERY.
The increase appears quite dramatic in the Hebrew!
First, we have an increase that raises the Ark.
Then we have water PREVAILING and a LARGER increase that lifts the ark so it fully floats on the surface.
Finally, we have water prevailing VERY VERY (me’od, me’od!), so much that the water covers the mountains.
In the oral tradition, this is an intense story, full of drama and flailing hands and theatrics, I’m sure.
It’s fun. It’s also meant to drive the point home. These are unstoppable waters, covering everything until there is nothing left of the earth to see, save for a boat that is protecting all of us.