Genesis 6:22

KJV

¶ Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus did {H6213} Noah {H5146}; according to all that God {H430} commanded {H6680} him, so did {H6213} he.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is what Noach did; he did all that God ordered him to do.

Berean Standard Bible

So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.

American Standard Version

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
serves as a profound capstone to God's detailed instructions for the ark, powerfully affirming Noah's absolute and unreserved obedience. This verse highlights Noah's exemplary faithfulness, demonstrating his complete trust in God's word and his diligent, precise execution of every divine command, setting him apart in a world marked by pervasive corruption and rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative segment in [Genesis 6:9-22](/genesis/6-9-22 "Noah's Righteousness and God's Command"), which details God's covenant with Noah and the comprehensive instructions for building the ark. It follows the somber declaration of God's grief over human wickedness and His decision to destroy all life ([Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "God's Grief and Judgment")). Amidst this impending judgment, Noah is introduced as a righteous man who "found grace in the eyes of the LORD" ([Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Noah Finds Grace")). The preceding verses ([Genesis 6:14-21](/genesis/6-14-21 "Detailed Instructions for the Ark")) meticulously outline the ark's dimensions, materials, and the command to bring all living creatures, presenting a monumental and unprecedented task. [Genesis 6:22](/genesis/6-22 "Noah's Obedience") acts as the definitive statement of Noah's response, validating his unique standing before God and setting the stage for the flood narrative in [Genesis 7](/genesis/7 "The Great Flood").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of a global flood, while unique in its biblical scope, resonates with various ancient Near Eastern flood narratives, suggesting a shared cultural memory of a catastrophic event. In Noah's time, human society had descended into profound moral decay, characterized by violence and corruption ([Genesis 6:11-12](/genesis/6-11-12 "The Earth Corrupted by Violence")). Against this backdrop, Noah's righteousness and "walking with God" ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-9 "Noah's Walk with God")) were exceptionally counter-cultural. The task of building an ark of such immense proportions would have been an undertaking of decades, requiring extraordinary faith, engineering skill, and sustained labor in a pre-industrial age. Noah's obedience would have been a public spectacle, likely inviting ridicule and skepticism from a world unaware of the impending divine judgment.

* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 6:22](/genesis/6-22 "Noah's Obedience") powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as God exercises His absolute right to judge human sin and execute His plans. Simultaneously, it highlights **God's Grace and Election**, as Noah alone is chosen for preservation, not based on his merit but on God's sovereign favor ([Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Noah Finds Grace")). Most prominently, the verse exemplifies **Faith Expressed Through Obedience**. Noah's "walking with God" ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-9 "Noah's Righteousness")) is tangibly demonstrated through his complete and precise adherence to God's commands, illustrating that true faith is active and responsive to divine revelation. This sets a pattern for the covenant relationship, where God initiates and humanity responds in obedience, leading to blessing and the furtherance of God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **did (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** From H6213, this primitive root means "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In [Genesis 6:22](/genesis/6-22 "Noah's Obedience"), it signifies Noah's active, complete, and precise execution of God's commands. It implies not just passive agreement but diligent, sustained labor and accomplishment of the task. The repetition of this verb ("Thus did Noah...so did he") emphasizes the totality of his action.
* **Noah (Hebrew, _Nôach'_):** From H5146, meaning "rest" or "comfort." While the name itself foreshadows the rest and new beginning Noah brings to humanity after the flood, in this verse, it specifically identifies the individual who embodies perfect obedience. His name becomes synonymous with the act of faithful compliance, distinguishing him as the sole human instrument through whom God's plan for preservation would be realized.
* **commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** From H6680, an intensive root meaning "to constitute, enjoin." This word highlights the authoritative nature of God's instructions to Noah. It was not a suggestion or a request, but a direct, binding order from the supreme God (H430, _ʼĕlôhîym_). The use of this strong verb underscores the divine origin and mandatory nature of the ark's construction, to which Noah responded with unwavering submission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus did Noah;":** This opening clause immediately establishes Noah as the obedient actor. The word "Thus" (כֵּן, _kēn_) points back to the preceding detailed instructions, indicating that Noah's actions were a direct and faithful response to what God had just communicated. It's a declarative statement of his compliance, setting the tone for the rest of the verse.
* **"according to all that God commanded him,":** This crucial phrase specifies the nature and extent of Noah's obedience. The inclusion of "all" (כֹּל, _kōl_) is emphatic, stressing that Noah omitted nothing and added nothing to God's instructions. It highlights the meticulous detail of God's commands (as seen in [Genesis 6:14-21](/genesis/6-14-21 "God's Detailed Instructions")) and Noah's perfect adherence to every single aspect, from the type of wood to the precise dimensions and the inhabitants. The source of the command is explicitly "God" (אֱלֹהִים, _ʾĕlōhīm_), underscoring the divine authority behind the instructions.
* **"so did he.":** This concluding clause reiterates and reinforces the opening statement, creating a powerful literary inclusio. The repetition of "did" (עָשָׂה, _ʿāśāh_) emphasizes the completeness and finality of Noah's obedience. It confirms that his actions precisely mirrored God's will, leaving no room for doubt about his faithfulness. This phrase serves as the ultimate commendation of Noah's character and his response to divine revelation.

#### Literary Devices
[Genesis 6:22](/genesis/6-22 "Noah's Perfect Obedience") masterfully employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore Noah's complete obedience. The structure "Thus did Noah... so did he" creates a powerful literary frame, with the verb "did" (Hebrew: _ʿāśāh_) appearing at both the beginning and end of the statement, highlighting the totality of his actions. The phrase "according to all that God commanded him" is central to this emphasis, with "all" (Hebrew: _kōl_) serving as a strong intensifier, leaving no ambiguity about the comprehensiveness of Noah's compliance. This meticulous repetition and emphasis serve to cement Noah's status as an exemplar of faith and obedience, setting him apart from the disobedient world. Furthermore, this verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, anticipating future instances in the biblical narrative where God's people are called to precise obedience (e.g., the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus, where the phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" is frequently repeated).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Genesis 6:22](/genesis/6-22 "Noah's Obedience") is a foundational text for understanding the nature of biblical obedience. It teaches that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but an active, comprehensive, and precise response to God's revealed will. Noah's obedience was not partial or selective; it was total, reflecting a deep trust in God's wisdom and sovereign plan, even when the task was unprecedented and seemingly impossible. This perfect compliance positioned Noah and his family as the recipients of divine salvation, demonstrating that while salvation is by grace, obedience is the fruit and evidence of that grace, essential for participating in God's redemptive purposes.

* [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "Noah's Faith")
* [James 2:20](/james/2-20 "Faith Without Works is Dead")
* [Deuteronomy 5:32](/deuteronomy/5-32 "Do Not Turn Aside")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Noah's unwavering obedience in [Genesis 6:22](/genesis/6-22 "Noah's Example of Obedience") provides a timeless model for believers today. It challenges us to examine the depth and breadth of our own obedience to God's revealed will. Just as Noah's faith compelled him to act on God's word, even when the task seemed daunting, illogical, or the outcome uncertain, our faith should similarly lead to diligent action, trusting in God's wisdom and sovereign plan above our own understanding or societal norms. This narrative reminds us that many of God's callings require sustained effort, patience, and perseverance, urging us to remain faithful in carrying out His commands, knowing that a life of obedient faith is foundational to being effectively used by God for His redemptive purposes in the world and experiencing His promised blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to "do" something "according to all that He has commanded," even if it seems difficult or counter-cultural?**
* **How does Noah's example of comprehensive obedience challenge my own tendencies towards partial or selective obedience?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's commands, leading to more diligent and precise action?**

### FAQ
**Was Noah's obedience unique, or is it expected of all believers?**

Answer: While Noah's specific task of building the ark was unique in its scope and context, the principle of complete and unwavering obedience to God's commands is a universal expectation for all believers. Noah serves as an exemplary model of the faith and submission that God desires from His people, demonstrating that true faith is always active and responsive to divine instruction.

**What does "according to all that God commanded him" specifically imply?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes the totality, precision, and comprehensiveness of Noah's obedience. It means he did not omit any part of God's instructions, nor did he add any of his own ideas or modifications. Every detail, from the dimensions of the ark to the materials used and the inhabitants to be gathered, was followed exactly as God commanded, reflecting a perfect alignment of his will with God's.

**How does Noah's obedience relate to the concept of grace?**

Answer: Noah "found grace in the eyes of the LORD" ([Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Noah Finds Grace")), which highlights God's sovereign choice and unmerited favor as the *initiator* of the relationship and the plan of salvation. Noah's subsequent obedience was a *response* to that grace, demonstrating his faith and worthiness to be used by God. Grace precedes and enables obedience, and obedience then demonstrates the reality and transformative power of that grace in a person's life, showing that true faith is always active.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Noah's ark, meticulously constructed in perfect obedience to God's command, stands as a profound type of salvation through judgment, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Noah's obedience secured the physical salvation of his family from the flood, Christ's perfect and unwavering obedience to the Father's will, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, secured spiritual and eternal salvation for all who believe. Jesus is the ultimate Ark, the divinely appointed means by which humanity can escape the judgment of God's wrath and enter into new life. His life was marked by complete submission to the Father, as He declared, "I always do what pleases him" ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). Noah's faithful completion of his monumental task foreshadows Christ's triumphant declaration, "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "Jesus' Final Words on the Cross")), signifying the perfect fulfillment of the Father's redemptive plan through His Son's absolute and unreserved obedience, providing the only way to be saved from the coming judgment ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Salvation in No Other Name")).

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

Exodus 40:16

¶ Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.

John 15:14

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Genesis 7:5

¶ And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.

John 2:5

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].

Matthew 7:24

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Matthew 7:27

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

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.