Genesis 7:1

ยถ And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Noah {H5146}, Come {H935} thou and all thy house {H1004} into the ark {H8392}; for thee have I seen {H7200} righteous {H6662} before me {H6440} in this {H2088} generation {H1755}.

Adonai said to Noach, โ€œCome into the ark, you and all your household; for I have seen that you alone in this generation are righteous before me.

Then the LORD said to Noah, โ€œGo into the ark, you and all your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

And Jehovah said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Commentary

Genesis 7:1 marks a crucial turning point in the biblical narrative of the Great Flood, as God directly commands Noah to enter the ark, signaling the imminent divine judgment upon a corrupted world. This verse underscores God's discernment and His covenant faithfulness to those who walk uprightly before Him.

Context

Before this verse, the book of Genesis has detailed the rampant wickedness, violence, and moral decay that had engulfed humanity (Genesis 6:5). God grieved over His creation and determined to bring a flood to cleanse the earth. However, in this widespread corruption, Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. He had already received detailed instructions to build the ark in Genesis chapter 6, and now, after years of diligent labor, the time for entering God's provided refuge had arrived, signifying the immediate onset of judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Command and Obedience: The phrase "And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou..." highlights God's sovereign initiative and direct instruction. This is a clear call to action, demanding immediate and complete obedience from Noah, who had already demonstrated faithfulness in building the ark.
  • Righteousness as a Basis for Salvation: Noah is explicitly declared "righteous before me in this generation." This righteousness, though not sinless perfection, was a genuine uprightness and moral integrity in God's sight, distinguishing him from the surrounding depravity. It was this God-attested righteousness, coupled with his faith, that made him and his family candidates for preservation.
  • God's Grace and Preservation: While Noah's righteousness is noted, the invitation to "Come thou and all thy house into the ark" is ultimately an act of God's preserving grace. The ark itself was the instrument of salvation, a divine provision for Noah's family and the animal kingdom, ensuring the continuation of life on earth.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "righteous" is tzaddiq (ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง), which implies one who is just, upright, and conforms to God's standards. It describes a person whose life is in right relationship with God and others, particularly in contrast to the pervasive unrighteousness of his time.
  • The term "generation" (ื“ึผื•ึนืจ, dor) emphasizes the unique and extreme corruption of that specific era, making Noah's character stand out even more remarkably.

Practical Application

Genesis 7:1 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Live Distinctly: Noah's example challenges us to live righteously and maintain integrity even when surrounded by a world that disregards God's standards. God sees and acknowledges those who earnestly seek to please Him.
  • Obey God's Word: Just as Noah responded promptly and completely to God's command to enter the ark, we are called to obey God's instructions in our lives, trusting in His wisdom and provision, even when His ways seem counter-cultural or demand great faith, as seen in Hebrews 11:7.
  • Trust in God's Salvation: The ark served as a refuge from judgment. Similarly, God provides salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, offering refuge from the consequences of sin. Our response should be one of faith and entering into the salvation He provides.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 24:37

    But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

  • Matthew 24:39

    And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

  • 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;

  • 2 Peter 2:9

    The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

  • Genesis 6:9

    These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.

  • Genesis 7:13

    ยถ 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;

  • 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.
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