before me] I have resolved upon the ruine of all flesh, it is so before me, or in my view, that I will not looke besides it untill my Decree of destruction be put in execution. through them] That is, the sonnes of men, or the people of the earth called before by the name of flesh. I will destroy] Or, am corrupting, or, ready to destroy or corrupt. with the earth] Or, from the earth; The substance of the earth was not destroyed by water, as it shall be by fire, 2 Peter 3:10. and it may be many of the strongest buildings (and perhaps some plants also) might remaine unruined or not wholly demolished; but the richest fruits were so overwhelmed that they were for the most part utterly destroyed. an Arke] Though it were to doe the office of a ship it had the forme of an Arke or Chest, plaine below, on each side, and almost above also, save that towards the top, it had a little rising up like the cover of a coffin; and this rising was about the measure of a cubite, vers. 16. which was made ridge-wise as the slooped roofe of an house, that rain might rather slide down from it then rest upon it; this cubite was above the measure of thirtie cubits which was the altitude or height of the Arke. Gopher wood] This word is used but once in the Scripture, some take it to be a Pine tree, some a Firre tree, some a Cedar tree; the Firre tree would serve for boards and planks, Cedars for Masts, Ezekiel 27:5. and it may be any of them; or in generall any tree that yeelds gumme or Rosin, and so it is of neere sound and signification with the word Gopher which signifieth bituminous or rosinous, that is, of brimstone or rosin; and such wood is both of good sent and of long continuance. roomes] Hebr. nests. Pitcht it] Not onely for closenesse but for better and wholesomer sent.