In Genesis 8:7–9, how do ravens and doves survive and find food and rest if the land was still mostly flooded?

◄ How do ravens/doves survive in the flood? ►

Genesis 8:7–9 describes how Noah, after the waters of the great Flood began to subside, sent out two different birds to assess the situation:

“(7) and sent out a raven. It kept flying back and forth until the waters had dried up from the earth. (8) Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground. (9) But the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him in the ark because the water still covered the surface of all the earth. So he reached out his hand and brought her back inside the ark.”

Here, the raven continuously goes “back and forth,” while the dove returns because there was not yet a suitable resting spot. This passage raises questions about how both birds could survive if the land was still covered, or mostly covered, with water.

The Behavior and Survival of the Raven

The text notes the raven “kept flying back and forth until the waters had dried up.” Ravens are known for their feeding versatility and intelligence. Scientific observations confirm that ravens can survive on carrion (the remains of animals). In the aftermath of a massive flood, various floating remains might still have been on or near the surface (Genesis 7:21–22 suggests that all land-dwelling creatures outside the ark perished).

• Ravens can perch on floating debris, mountaintops that began to emerge (Genesis 8:4 mentions that the ark itself came to rest on the mountains of Ararat), or on partially exposed trees.

• Because ravens are scavengers, they do not require fresh vegetation. Instead, they could have fed on stranded carcasses or fish trapped in shallow waters.

Archaeologists and naturalists studying flood environments note that before waters fully recede, strong currents and swirling eddies often gather uprooted trees and organic matter into fairly stable piles of floating vegetation. Such mats would have served as brief landing spots for a bird of the raven’s nature.

The Behavior and Survival of the Dove

In contrast, the dove returned to the ark the first time because, “the water still covered the surface of all the earth.” Doves generally do not scavenge or perch for long on debris. They feed on seeds and vegetation, so they must locate dry ground or fresh growth.

• Upon the dove’s first trip, it could not find living vegetation or a suitable resting place, so it came back to Noah.

• On the dove’s second and third trips (Genesis 8:10–12), conditions had changed: the waters receded further, allowing fresh sprouts—such as an olive leaf—to appear.

Some horticultural studies indicate olive trees can survive inundation for a time and may quickly sprout leaves once waters begin to recede. The dove’s retrieval of an olive leaf (Genesis 8:11) demonstrated new growth on higher ground or on branches that had been above water long enough to produce fresh shoots.

Possible Sources of Food and Rest

1. Exposed Mountain Peaks: Genesis 8:4 says the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat on the seventeenth day of the seventh month. Though it took longer for lower areas to dry, mountainous outcrops could have emerged earlier. Birds often seek out higher ground, where the receding process would begin first.

2. Floating Vegetation Mats: Post-flood conditions likely included sizeable clusters of uprooted plants, trees, and debris, creating floating habitats. Both ravens and, to some extent, other animals could land or rest temporarily on these masses. Modern flood studies document what are sometimes called “vegetation rafts,” able to support small life forms for extended periods.

3. Carrion and Marine Life: For the raven, carrion would likely have existed on or near the surface. Meanwhile, fish and other aquatic life could have remained abundant, providing sufficient sustenance for a scavenging bird that is also capable of hunting smaller aquatic animals.

4. Rapidly Drained Areas: Some regions would begin drying out earlier than others, forming patches of land. The biblical text shows a gradual process of recession; each week saw more potential for the raven to explore, and eventually the dove to find a place to eat and nest.

The Gradual Recession of the Waters

Genesis 8:3–5 records a progressive return of the land: “the waters receded steadily from the earth.” This suggests that while the earth was still mostly covered, the process of the waters going down was ongoing. The raven’s initial flights occurred when waters were higher, whereas the dove’s first trip showed land was still submerged. Later, the olive leaf signified even more recession.

From a geological standpoint, receding waters after a cataclysmic event could form temporary strata or new sediment layers. Various Flood models (including those studied by researchers focusing on a global cataclysm) propose that topography and underground reservoir shifts contributed to water surges and drawdowns, allowing some regions to become exposed sooner.

Confirmations from Historical and Archaeological Sources

While the biblical account remains the primary record, studies of ancient flood narratives in other cultures show similarities (e.g., the presence of birds to test water levels in the Epic of Gilgamesh). Archaeologists have discovered widespread flood layers in Mesopotamia and other regions. Although there is debate about the exact scale, the cultural memory of a massive flood resonates with the scriptural record that waters once covered the highest hills (Genesis 7:19–20).

Additionally, widespread legends of global floods among different people groups add credence to the reliability of the Genesis account. When viewed alongside consistent manuscript evidence (including comparably ancient Hebrew texts of Genesis upheld by the Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts), the scriptural details, such as the role of birds in detecting livable terrain, emerge as coherent and historically meaningful.

Conclusion

Ravens and doves could survive and find places to rest in a world still largely underwater due to:

• The raven’s scavenging nature, allowing it to subsist on carrion and perch upon floating debris or emerging peaks.

• The dove’s dependence on fresh plants, which forced it initially to return, but later allowed it to bring back an olive leaf—a sign of receding waters and new growth.

• The overall scriptural timeline in Genesis, indicating a gradual decline of floodwaters, thus providing increasing opportunities for each bird to locate suitable land or nourishment.

The biblical text in Genesis 8:7–9 stands as a consistent account of how these birds navigated a devastation unlike any other, and it illustrates a crucial turning point in the post-Flood world: the slow but sure reemergence of dry land, new life, and renewed hope.

Bible Hub Questions and Answers

How did animals spread globally post-flood?