Genesis 6:18

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Context

Genesis 6:18 is a pivotal verse, occurring amidst God's profound grief over the widespread wickedness and corruption that had consumed humanity prior to the Great Flood. After lamenting that He had made mankind (Genesis 6:7), God identifies Noah as the one man who "found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8) and was "perfect in his generations" (Genesis 6:9). This verse marks God's direct instruction to Noah regarding the ark and, more significantly, the establishment of a divine covenant, a promise of preservation.

Key Themes

  • The Establishment of Covenant: This verse introduces the concept of a "covenant" (Hebrew: berît) as a solemn, binding agreement initiated by God. Here, it is an unconditional promise of preservation made with Noah. This pre-flood covenant sets the stage for future covenants in biblical history, such as the Noahic Covenant symbolized by the rainbow, the Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, and ultimately, the New Covenant in Christ.
  • Divine Preservation and Salvation: Despite His decision to destroy all living things, God provides a means of salvation for Noah and his family. The ark is not merely a vessel but a symbol of God's provision and mercy, allowing a remnant to survive and repopulate the earth. This foreshadows God's consistent plan to preserve a faithful remnant throughout history.
  • Obedience and Inclusion: Noah's salvation is tied directly to his obedience to God's specific instructions. The verse clearly outlines who will be saved: Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives. This highlights the importance of family in God's redemptive plan and Noah's role as a patriarch through whom humanity would continue. Noah's subsequent actions in Genesis 6:22 ("Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he") confirm his faithful response.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covenant," berît (בְּרִית), is crucial here. It implies a solemn agreement, often with stipulations and promises. When God "establishes" (Hebrew: qum - קוּם, meaning to raise up, confirm, or make stand firm) His covenant, it signifies His unwavering commitment and the certainty of His promise. This is not a negotiation, but a declaration of divine intent and grace.

Practical Application

Genesis 6:18 offers timeless truths for believers today. It underscores God's faithfulness to His promises, even in times of widespread unfaithfulness. Just as Noah found grace and salvation through obedience to God's specific instructions, so too are believers called to trust and obey God's Word. The ark serves as a powerful type of salvation, reminding us that deliverance from judgment comes through God's appointed means—ultimately, through faith in Jesus Christ. It also highlights the importance of family and the ripple effect of one person's faith and obedience in bringing blessing to those around them.

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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;
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