Genesis 6:18

KJV

But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

But with thee will I establish {H6965} my covenant {H1285}; and thou shalt come {H935} into {H413} the ark {H8392}, thou {H859}, and thy sons {H1121}, and thy wife {H802}, and thy sons {H1121}' wives {H802} with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I will establish my covenant with you; you will come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife and your sons’ wives with you.

Berean Standard Bible

But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.

American Standard Version

But I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 6:18 unveils a pivotal moment of divine initiative and redemptive grace amidst impending global judgment. In this verse, God sovereignly declares His intent to establish a covenant with Noah, the lone righteous man, promising preservation for him and his entire household through the divinely appointed ark. This declaration underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and His meticulous provision for a remnant, ensuring the continuation of humanity and the unfolding of His redemptive plan despite widespread human corruption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a narrative of profound moral decline and divine lament. [Genesis 6:1-7](/genesis/6-1-7 "Humanity's Corruption and God's Grief") details the pervasive wickedness of humanity, leading to God's deep grief and His decision to "blot out man from the face of the earth." However, the narrative immediately pivots in [Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Noah Finds Grace"), declaring that "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." Verse 18 then emerges as the specific articulation of God's redemptive plan for Noah, following the general command to build the ark in [Genesis 6:14-16](/genesis/6-14-16 "God's Instructions for the Ark"). It transitions from the architectural specifications of the ark to the foundational promise of preservation, directly preceding Noah's faithful obedience in [Genesis 6:22](/genesis/6-22 "Noah's Obedience").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The pre-Flood world, as depicted in [Genesis 6](/genesis/6 "Genesis Chapter 6"), is characterized by rampant violence and corruption, where "every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" ([Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "Humanity's Pervasive Wickedness")). This extreme moral decay necessitated a divine cleansing, a concept not entirely alien to ancient Near Eastern flood narratives, though the biblical account uniquely emphasizes God's moral judgment and His righteous character. In this context, God's covenant with Noah stands in stark contrast to the prevailing human depravity, highlighting His unique relationship with the one man who walked with Him. The inclusion of Noah's family in the ark reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient societies, where the head of the household represented and bore responsibility for his family.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 6:18](/genesis/6-18 "God's Covenant with Noah") is foundational to several enduring biblical themes. Firstly, it introduces the **Covenant** as a primary mode of God's interaction with humanity, a unilateral promise initiated by God to secure His purposes. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Grace Amidst Judgment**, demonstrating God's mercy in providing a way of salvation even as He executes justice. Thirdly, the preservation of Noah and his family establishes the theme of the **Remnant**, a faithful few through whom God continues His redemptive work, a pattern seen throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20-22 "The Remnant of Israel")). Finally, the ark itself embodies the theme of **Salvation Through God's Appointed Means**, emphasizing that deliverance comes not through human ingenuity or effort, but solely through obedience to God's specific provision, foreshadowing later divine provisions for salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** H1285, from בָּרָה (in the sense of cutting). This term signifies a solemn, binding agreement or compact. In this context, it is a unilateral declaration and promise initiated by God, not a negotiated treaty. The root sense of "cutting" often refers to the ancient practice of cutting animals in half when making a covenant, signifying the dire consequences of breaking the agreement. Here, it underscores the certainty and solemnity of God's pledge to Noah.
* **establish (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** H6965, a primitive root meaning to rise, cause to stand, confirm, or ratify. When God declares "I will establish my covenant," it implies that He will bring it into existence, confirm its validity, and ensure its lasting permanence. It conveys the idea of setting something firm and unshakeable, highlighting the immutability of God's promise to Noah.
* **ark (Hebrew, _têbâh'_):** H8392, perhaps of foreign derivation, meaning a box or chest. This specific term is used only for Noah's ark and the basket in which baby Moses was placed ([Exodus 2:3](/exodus/2-3 "Moses in the Basket")). It denotes a vessel of preservation, a divinely designed container for safety and deliverance. Its simple, unadorned meaning emphasizes its functional purpose as God's chosen instrument of salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But with thee will I establish my covenant;":** This opening clause marks a profound shift from the preceding narrative of universal judgment. The "But" emphasizes God's distinguishing grace towards Noah. The phrase "with thee" highlights Noah as the specific recipient of God's favor. "I will establish my covenant" is a sovereign declaration, not a proposal. It signifies God's unilateral commitment to a binding promise of preservation, making Noah the focal point of His continuing redemptive plan for humanity.
* **"and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.":** This second clause details the immediate, tangible outworking of the covenant. The command "thou shalt come into the ark" is the human response required for the covenant's fulfillment. Crucially, God specifies the inclusion of Noah's entire immediate family: Noah himself, his three sons, his wife, and his sons' wives. This demonstrates God's grace extending beyond individual righteousness to encompass the household, ensuring the continuity of the human race through this preserved remnant. The repetition of "with thee" emphasizes the totality of the family's inclusion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Covenant Formula** is evident in God's direct, declarative statement, "I will establish my covenant," which functions as a divine oath and promise, setting a pattern for subsequent biblical covenants. The **Symbolism** of the ark is paramount; it is not merely a boat but a tangible representation of God's provision, mercy, and the exclusive means of salvation from divine judgment. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of family members ("thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee") serves to emphasize the comprehensive nature of God's grace and the corporate aspect of salvation, ensuring that the entire lineage of Noah would be preserved. This detailed enumeration also highlights the meticulousness of God's plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Genesis 6:18](/genesis/6-18 "God's Covenant with Noah") serves as a profound testament to God's character, revealing Him as both a righteous judge and a merciful covenant-keeper. Even in the face of humanity's utter depravity and the necessity of judgment, God's sovereign grace shines through as He initiates a covenant to preserve a remnant. This verse establishes the foundational biblical concept of a divine covenant as a binding, often unilateral, promise from God that shapes the trajectory of salvation history. It demonstrates that God's redemptive plan is not an afterthought but an integral part of His eternal purpose, always providing a way for those who find favor in His eyes.

* [Genesis 9:8-17](/genesis/9-8-17 "The Noahic Covenant and the Rainbow") - The post-Flood Noahic Covenant, a universal covenant with all living creatures, symbolized by the rainbow, promising no more global floods. This builds upon the specific pre-Flood covenant of preservation for Noah's family.
* [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "Noah's Faith and Obedience") - Highlights Noah's faith and obedience in response to God's warning, by which he "condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
* [1 Peter 3:20-21](/1_peter/3-20-21 "Baptism and the Ark") - Connects the ark's salvation through water to Christian baptism, seeing it as a type of salvation that corresponds to the saving power of Christ's resurrection.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 6:18](/genesis/6-18 "God's Covenant with Noah") offers a powerful message of hope and a call to faithful obedience in every generation. In a world often marked by moral decline, chaos, or impending crises, this verse reminds us that God remains sovereign and faithful to His promises. Just as He provided a specific means of salvation for Noah and his family, He continues to offer refuge and deliverance to those who trust in Him. Our response, like Noah's, should be one of humble faith and diligent obedience to God's revealed will. This passage encourages us to consider where our trust lies in times of uncertainty and to embrace the divine provisions God makes available for our spiritual and physical preservation, knowing that His covenant faithfulness is our ultimate security.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to trust God's provision and obey His specific instructions, even when they seem counter-cultural or difficult?**
* **How does God's initiative in establishing a covenant with Noah encourage me about His character and His commitment to His people today?**
* **What does the inclusion of Noah's entire family teach me about the corporate nature of faith and the potential impact of one person's righteousness on their household?**
* **Considering the ark as God's appointed means of salvation, what are the "arks" or means of grace God has provided for us today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "establish my covenant" here, given that the Noahic covenant with the rainbow comes later?**

Answer: This covenant in [Genesis 6:18](/genesis/6-18 "God's Covenant with Noah") is a specific, pre-Flood promise of preservation solely for Noah and his immediate family through the ark. It is distinct from the post-Flood [Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9](/genesis/9-1 "The Noahic Covenant and the Rainbow"), which is a universal covenant with all living creatures, symbolized by the rainbow, promising no more future global floods. The [Genesis 6](/genesis/6 "Genesis Chapter 6") covenant sets the immediate stage for Noah's personal and familial salvation, while the [Genesis 9](/genesis/9 "Genesis Chapter 9") covenant establishes a broader, cosmic promise.

**Why was Noah's entire family included in the covenant and the ark?**

Answer: God's grace often extends beyond an individual's righteousness to their household, demonstrating His desire to preserve humanity through a righteous remnant. The inclusion of Noah's family highlights the familial and corporate nature of salvation in the Old Testament, where the faith and obedience of the patriarch often brought blessing and preservation to his family. This also ensured the continuation of the human race through a righteous lineage after the Flood.

**Does this verse imply that salvation is contingent on human obedience?**

Answer: While God's covenant is established by His sovereign grace and initiative ("I will establish my covenant"), Noah's salvation within that covenant is indeed contingent on his faithful obedience to God's specific commands, such as building and entering the ark. This illustrates the biblical tension between divine initiative and human response, where God provides the way, and humanity must walk in it by faith ([Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "Noah's Faith")). God's grace enables the obedience, and obedience actualizes the promised salvation.

**What does the ark symbolize in this context?**

Answer: The ark is a powerful symbol of God's provision, mercy, and the divinely appointed means of salvation. It represents a sanctuary from judgment, a vessel of preservation, and a tangible demonstration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promise. It is a place of refuge and new beginnings, separating the righteous from the judgment of the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 6:18](/genesis/6-18 "God's Covenant with Noah"), with its emphasis on God's gracious covenant and the provision of salvation through the ark, profoundly foreshadows the person and work of [Jesus Christ](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as the ark was God's singular means of deliverance from the flood's judgment, so too is [Jesus Christ](/acts/4-12 "Salvation Through No Other Name") God's ultimate and exclusive means of salvation from the judgment of sin. The ark, a place of safety and new beginnings, serves as a powerful type of Christ, the one in whom all who believe find refuge and new life. God's faithfulness to His covenant with Noah culminates in the [New Covenant](/hebrews/8-8 "The New Covenant") established through Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in His Blood")), where He promises eternal life and reconciliation to all who enter into Him by faith. Through Christ, we are brought into a secure relationship with God, preserved from the ultimate judgment, and given the promise of a new creation, just as Noah and his family were preserved for a new world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Genesis 7:7

And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

Genesis 17:7

¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Genesis 7:13

¶ In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

Isaiah 26:20

¶ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

1 Peter 3:20

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

2 Peter 2:5

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;