Genesis 9:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

These [are] the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

Complete Jewish Bible:

These three were the sons of Noach, and the whole earth was populated by them.

Berean Standard Bible:

These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated.

American Standard Version:

These three were the sons of Noah: and of these was the whole earth overspread.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

These are the three{H7969} sons{H1121} of Noah{H5146}: and of them was the whole earth{H776} overspread{H5310}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 5:32

  • And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 8:17

  • Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.

1 Chronicles 1:4

  • Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

1 Chronicles 1:28

  • ¶ The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.

Genesis 10:2

  • The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

Genesis 10:32

  • These [are] the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

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Commentary for Genesis 9:19

Genesis 9:19 is a verse from the Bible that appears within the narrative of the Flood story, a tale that is shared among various ancient Near Eastern cultures but is presented in the Bible with unique theological significance. This verse specifically serves as a summary statement that concludes the account of the global flood and transitions into the next major section of the book of Genesis.

The historical context of Genesis 9:19 is rooted in the ancient Hebrew tradition, which scholars believe was compiled and edited during the period of the Israelite monarchy, though the events described are set in the primeval history of humanity. The verse serves to outline the genealogy of Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—who, along with their father, are depicted as the only human survivors of the divinely orchestrated flood. This catastrophic event was sent by God to cleanse the earth of rampant wickedness and corruption.

The themes present in this verse include the concepts of new beginnings, human diversity, and divine providence. It underscores the idea that all of humanity is descended from these three survivors, thereby emphasizing the unity of the human race. The overspreading of the whole earth by Noah's progeny sets the stage for the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, which details the ethnic and geographic diversification of humanity following the flood. This diversification is part of God's plan for humanity to fill the earth and govern it, a command first given in Genesis 1:28 and reiterated to Noah in Genesis 9:1.

In summary, Genesis 9:19 is a pivotal verse that encapsulates the conclusion of the flood narrative and the restart of human civilization through the lineage of Noah's three sons. It highlights themes of divine judgment, mercy, and the re-peopling of the earth, while also laying the groundwork for understanding the relationships and migrations that would shape the ancient world.

*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: H7969
    There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
    Transliteration: shâlôwsh
    Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
    Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
  2. Strong's Number: H1121
    There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּן
    Transliteration: bên
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
  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: 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.
  5. Strong's Number: H5310
    There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָפַץ
    Transliteration: nâphats
    Pronunciation: naw-fats'
    Description: a primitive root; to dash to pieces, or scatter; be beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter.