Genesis 9:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And God said unto Noah, This [is] the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

God said to Noach, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between myself and every living creature on the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible:

So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between Me and every creature on the earth.”

American Standard Version:

And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And God{H430} said{H559} unto Noah{H5146}, This is the token{H226} of the covenant{H1285}, which I have established{H6965} between me and all flesh{H1320} that is upon the earth{H776}.

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Commentary for Genesis 9:17

Genesis 9:17 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Flood, which is one of the most famous stories in the Hebrew Bible. This verse specifically addresses the establishment of a covenant between God and all living creatures following the great flood that wiped out almost all life on Earth as a response to human wickedness. In this covenant, God promises never again to destroy all life with a flood, and He provides the rainbow as a sign of this everlasting promise.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern milieu, where covenants were significant agreements often made between a deity and a people, or between a ruler and their subjects. These covenants were solemn and binding, typically involving obligations on both parties. In the case of Genesis 9:17, God's covenant is unconditional; it does not depend on human behavior but is a promise God makes out of His own volition.

The themes present in this verse include divine faithfulness, the sanctity of life, and the idea of a new beginning. God's covenant with Noah and all flesh marks a fresh start for creation, with an emphasis on the preservation of life. The rainbow, as mentioned in the verse, serves as a perpetual reminder of God's commitment to His creation and His grace in offering humanity a second chance. This theme of covenant is central to the theology of the Hebrew Bible and sets the stage for the covenants that follow, such as those with Abraham, Moses, and David, which are foundational to Jewish and Christian traditions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
  2. Strong's Number: H559
    There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָמַר
    Transliteration: ʼâmar
    Pronunciation: aw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
  3. Strong's Number: H5146
    There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נֹחַ
    Transliteration: Nôach
    Pronunciation: no'-akh
    Description: the same as נוּחַ; rest; Noach, the patriarch of the flood; Noah.
  4. Strong's Number: H226
    There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אוֹת
    Transliteration: ʼôwth
    Pronunciation: oth
    Description: probably from אוּת (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.; mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.
  5. Strong's Number: H1285
    There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בְּרִית
    Transliteration: bᵉrîyth
    Pronunciation: ber-eeth'
    Description: from בָּרָה (in the sense of cutting (like בָּרָא)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league.
  6. Strong's Number: H6965
    There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קוּם
    Transliteration: qûwm
    Pronunciation: koom
    Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
  7. Strong's Number: H1320
    There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּשָׂר
    Transliteration: bâsâr
    Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
    Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.
  8. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.