“For in seven more days, I will make it rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will obliterate all existence that I made from on the face of the earth” (Genesis 7:4). “For in seven more days, [I will make it rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights]” – Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: They violated the Torah that was given in forty days; therefore, [the Flood lasted] “forty days and forty nights.”
Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Zakai said: They corrupted the human form that comes into being at forty days,16A fetus is considered to possess human form after forty days of gestation. therefore [the Flood lasted] “forty days and forty nights.” “I will obliterate all existence [hayekum]” – Rabbi Berekhya said: The living beings [kiyum]. Rabbi Avun said: Its sustainers [yekuminei].17Mankind. Rabbi Levi said in the name of Reish Lakish: This refers to Cain,18Who “rose up” [kam] against Abel to kill him (Genesis 4:8). who had been suspended in abeyance until the Flood came and swept him away, as it is stated: “He obliterated all existence [yekum]” (Genesis 7:23).
“Noah did; according to everything that God commanded him, so he did” (Genesis 6:22) – this pertains to the gathering of the animals, beasts, and birds.