וַתָּ֤נַח הַתֵּבָה֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָה־עָשָׂ֥ר יֹ֖ום לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ עַ֖ל הָרֵ֥י אֲרָרָֽט׃
(Genesis 8:4)
Sentence Breakdown
This verse offers a vivid and precise timestamp in the Flood narrative, marked by clear temporal and locative clauses. Here’s the structure:
- וַתָּנַח הַתֵּבָה — Main clause (Wayyiqtol + subject)
- בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי — Temporal phrase: “in the seventh month”
- בְּשִׁבְעָה־עָשָׂר יֹום לַחֹדֶשׁ — Precise date: “on the seventeenth day of the month”
- עַל הָרֵי אֲרָרָט — Locative phrase: “on the mountains of Ararat”
Grammatical and Syntactic Features
| Phrase | Syntactic Role | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| וַתָּנַח | Main verb (wayyiqtol) | Feminine singular wayyiqtol verb from נ֫וּחַ, meaning “and it came to rest.” Marks narrative progression. |
| הַתֵּבָה | Subject | Definite noun (“the ark”), feminine, agrees in gender and number with the verb. |
| בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי | Temporal prepositional phrase | “In the seventh month.” This locates the event in sacred time, marking its significance in priestly chronology. |
| בְּשִׁבְעָה־עָשָׂר יֹום לַחֹדֶשׁ | Temporal modifier | Specifies the exact day of the month, modifying the previous phrase for precise dating. |
| עַל הָרֵי אֲרָרָט | Locative prepositional phrase | “On the mountains of Ararat” — note the plural הָרֵי implying a range, not a single peak. |
Syntactic Observations
- The sentence follows a classic narrative wayyiqtol form (verb-initial), which is common in Biblical Hebrew storytelling.
- The verb is stative, indicating result: the ark “came to rest” rather than “rested” momentarily.
- The triple use of temporal adverbials underscores the priestly concern with calendar precision, characteristic of Genesis 6–9.
Theological and Literary Implications
The placement of the ark is not merely geographical—it is theological geography. The ark rests, and syntax rests with it:
- From chaos to stability: the wayyiqtol verb וַתָּנַח signifies the first moment of stillness after the chaos of the flood.
- From time to place: the verse transitions from calendar to mountain, creating a cosmic movement from the waters below to the highlands above.
- The phrase עַל הָרֵי אֲרָרָט is intentionally vague—this elevates the location to a mythic elevation rather than a GPS coordinate.
A Syntactic Landing
Genesis 8:4 uses a tightly ordered Hebrew sentence to mark the climax of the ark’s journey. Every grammatical element—from the feminine wayyiqtol to the layered temporal clauses—works to convey divine order restored. Syntax becomes structure, and structure becomes sanctuary.