Umberto Cassuto

“Noah had found favor in the eyes of the Lord. He is antithetical to the narrative. Utter destruction had been decreed but Noah, would live on in promise bestowed upon his ancestors. Not the material civilization that had developed in the sons of Cain, nor the many multitudes of the children of men, nor the mightiest of the mighty men, nor the fame acquired by the mighty men because of their might, could be of avail in the hour of retribution; only the righteousness of the righteous man was able to save the world. Might, numbers, will, authority, innovation, intelligence, emotion, advancement, power and good intentions failed every soul that stood on the dry ground the moment the gates of the deep burst forth. The only man spared a dreadful, watery grave was the soul the Lord found righteous.”
― Umberto Cassuto, A Commentary on the Book of Genesis