Genesis 7:16

KJV

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they that went in {H935}, went in {H935} male {H2145} and female {H5347} of all flesh {H1320}, as God {H430} had commanded {H6680} him: and the LORD {H3068} shut him in {H5462}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those that entered went in, male and female, from every kind of living being, as God had ordered him; and Adonai shut him inside.

Berean Standard Bible

And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

American Standard Version

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him: and Jehovah shut him in.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 7:16 serves as the climactic culmination of the pre-Flood narrative, depicting the final, divinely orchestrated entry of all specified creatures, male and female, into Noah's Ark, precisely as God had commanded. This pivotal verse concludes with the profound declaration that the LORD Himself sealed the Ark, underscoring Noah's unwavering obedience and God's absolute sovereignty over both the means of salvation and the definitive commencement of judgment, thereby irrevocably separating the preserved from the condemned.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 7:16 provides the definitive conclusion to the meticulous preparations for the Great Flood, marking the transition from divine instruction and human obedience to the irreversible commencement of God's judgment. It immediately follows God's precise commands to Noah regarding the Ark's construction and the specific number of animals, birds, and creeping things to be brought aboard, as detailed in [Genesis 6:19-20](/genesis/6-19-20 "God's Instructions for Animals to Enter the Ark") and [Genesis 7:2-3](/genesis/7-2-3 "Specific Numbers for Clean and Unclean Animals"). The verse signifies the complete fulfillment of Noah's faithful obedience, setting the stage for the deluge described in [Genesis 7:17ff](/genesis/7-17 "The Beginning of the Flood"). This act of God sealing the Ark is the final divine intervention before the waters cover the earth, emphasizing the finality of the period of grace and the certainty of the impending judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative of the global flood in Genesis is set against a backdrop of pervasive human wickedness, violence, and corruption, as described in [Genesis 6:5-13](/genesis/6-5-13 "The Corruption of Humanity Before the Flood"). In contrast to the polytheistic flood myths prevalent in the ancient Near East (such as the Epic of Gilgamesh or Atrahasis), the Genesis account presents a singular, morally righteous God (YHWH) who judges humanity for its sin, not out of caprice or annoyance. The concept of a righteous individual (Noah) being chosen for preservation, along with a remnant of creation, highlights God's justice and His covenant faithfulness. The act of building an ark on dry land, in the absence of rain, would have been a profoundly counter-cultural and faith-testing endeavor, demonstrating Noah's unique obedience in a world that largely ignored God.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 7:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, as the LORD's direct action of shutting the Ark's door demonstrates His ultimate control over creation, salvation, and judgment. This verse also highlights **Human Obedience and Faith**, with Noah serving as a prime example of one who "walked with God" ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-9 "Noah's Righteousness")) and meticulously followed every divine command, even those seemingly illogical or impossible. The act of sealing the Ark emphasizes **Separation and Election**, as God definitively separates His chosen remnant for preservation from the world destined for judgment. Furthermore, the Ark itself functions as a **Type of Salvation**, foreshadowing future divine provisions for rescue from judgment, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bôwʼ (Hebrew, _bo_):** This verb, translated "went in," signifies movement into a space. Its repetition ("they that went in, went in") emphasizes the completeness and certainty of the animals' entry, affirming that all creatures designated by God were successfully brought inside. It highlights the fulfillment of God's prior commands regarding the collection of every kind of animal.
* **ʼĕlôhîym (Hebrew, _el-oh-heem'_):** Translated "God," this plural noun often refers to the supreme God, as it does here. In the first part of the verse, it denotes God as the source of the command, emphasizing His authority and the divine origin of the instructions Noah followed.
* **Yᵉhôvâh (Hebrew, _yeh-ho-vaw'_):** Translated "the LORD," this is God's personal, covenantal name. Its use in the second clause ("and the LORD shut him in") is highly significant. It emphasizes that the faithful, covenant-keeping God, who had made promises to Noah, is the one personally intervening to secure the Ark and commence the judgment, highlighting His intimate involvement and faithfulness to His plan.
* **tsâvâh (Hebrew, _tsaw-vaw'_):** Translated "commanded," this verb indicates a forceful, authoritative directive or injunction. Its presence underscores the divine origin of Noah's actions and the meticulous nature of his obedience. Noah did not act on his own initiative but in direct response to God's specific and detailed instructions.
* **çâgar (Hebrew, _saw-gar'_):** Translated "shut," this primitive root means to close up, to enclose, or to surrender. Here, it implies a complete, secure, and irreversible sealing. The fact that the LORD Himself performs this action signifies finality, divine protection for those inside, and the absolute commencement of judgment for those outside. It was not a human act, but a divine one, ensuring the Ark's security and the fulfillment of God's purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him:"** This initial clause confirms the meticulous and comprehensive fulfillment of God's prior instructions to Noah. The repetition of "went in" (H935) underscores the completeness of the animal entry, ensuring that every designated creature, in its appropriate pair ("male and female"), was safely aboard. The phrase "of all flesh" emphasizes the universality of the animal kingdom represented within the Ark, preserving the genetic diversity necessary for repopulation. The crucial concluding phrase, "as God (H430, _ʼĕlôhîym_) had commanded him (H6680, _tsâvâh_)," highlights Noah's unwavering faith and precise obedience. It is a testament to Noah's righteousness that he diligently executed every detail of God's unprecedented and challenging directive, demonstrating a profound trust in the divine word despite the world's skepticism.

* **"and the LORD shut him in."** This second clause is the theological climax of the verse, revealing God's direct, sovereign, and decisive intervention. It was not Noah, nor any human effort, that sealed the Ark, but *YHWH* (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_)—the personal, covenant-keeping God. The Hebrew verb for "shut" (H5462, _çâgar_) implies a complete, secure, and irreversible sealing. This singular divine act carries profound implications:
* **Divine Protection:** For Noah and all within the Ark, God's sealing guaranteed their absolute security and preservation from the impending destruction, emphasizing His unwavering commitment to protect His chosen remnant.
* **Divine Judgment:** For those outside the Ark, the closing of the door marked the finality of God's patience and the irreversible commencement of judgment. There was no longer any opportunity for entry or escape, highlighting the definitive separation between the saved and the condemned.
* **Absolute Sovereignty:** This powerful act demonstrates God's supreme authority over all life and death, underscoring that salvation is entirely His initiative and work, not contingent on human will or effort beyond obedient response. It affirms that God initiates, sustains, and concludes the period of grace according to His divine timetable.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 7:16 employs several potent literary devices. The **Repetition** of "went in, went in" (H935) emphasizes the thoroughness and completion of the animal entry, reinforcing Noah's meticulous obedience. The verse also functions as a crucial narrative **Turning Point**, marking the definitive end of the pre-Flood period of grace and preparation, and the irreversible beginning of divine judgment. The act of God physically "shutting" the door is a powerful example of **Divine Anthropomorphism**, portraying God engaging in a human-like action to convey His direct involvement and the finality of His decree. Furthermore, the Ark itself, and specifically the act of its sealing, serves as rich **Typology** and **Symbolism**, foreshadowing future biblical concepts of refuge, security, and redemption found only through divine provision and intervention. The closed door symbolizes the definitive separation between those who are saved and those who are lost, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 7:16 profoundly articulates the absolute sovereignty of God, who not only commands the means of salvation but also personally executes the final act of securing His chosen remnant and commencing judgment. This verse highlights the critical interplay between human obedience and divine action: Noah's faithfulness in preparing the Ark is met with God's ultimate act of preservation. It underscores that salvation is entirely God's initiative, a work of His grace and power, which He brings to completion. The shutting of the Ark's door creates an irreversible separation, a theme of divine election and the definitive distinction between the saved and the condemned that recurs throughout redemptive history. This act also speaks to God's covenant faithfulness, as the personal name "the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes His commitment to His promises, even amidst widespread wickedness.

* [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "Noah's Faith and the Ark")
* [2 Peter 2:5](/2_peter/2-5 "God Preserved Noah and His Family")
* [Matthew 24:37-39](/matthew/24-37-39 "Jesus Compares His Coming to the Days of Noah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 7:16 offers profound and timeless lessons for believers today. Just as Noah diligently obeyed God's commands—constructing an ark in a world that had never seen such a deluge—we are called to trust and obey God's word, even when the path is unclear, the task seems impossible, or the world around us scoffs. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that when God protects, He does so completely and securely; for those who are "in Christ," there is a spiritual security akin to Noah's physical security in the Ark, offering profound comfort and assurance in times of turmoil and uncertainty. The LORD's act of shutting the door also signifies a point of no return, emphasizing the urgency of responding to God's call for repentance and faith now, before the window of opportunity for salvation is irrevocably shut. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we living in obedience to God's commands, and are we prepared for the day when His patience gives way to final judgment?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Noah's meticulous obedience, as highlighted in this verse, challenge our own willingness to follow God's commands, especially when they seem counter-cultural or difficult?**
* **What comfort and assurance do you find in the fact that it was "the LORD" who personally shut the Ark's door, rather than Noah? How does this speak to God's sovereignty over your own salvation and security?**
* **The shutting of the Ark's door marked a definitive end to the opportunity for entry. How does this historical event impress upon you the urgency of responding to God's call for salvation today?**

### FAQ
**Why did God, not Noah, shut the door of the Ark?**

Answer: The fact that "the LORD shut him in" profoundly emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and control over the events of the flood. It demonstrates that salvation was entirely a divine act, not dependent on human effort or initiative beyond Noah's obedient response. Noah's role was faithful preparation; God's role was the ultimate act of preservation and judgment. This divine act underscored the finality of the opportunity for entry for those outside and the certainty of the impending judgment. It also speaks to the security of those within the Ark; their safety was not dependent on a human lock, but on God's own sealing power.

**What is the significance of the name "LORD" (YHWH) being used in this verse, rather than "God" (Elohim)?**

Answer: The use of "the LORD" (YHWH), God's personal and covenantal name, is highly significant. While "God" (Elohim) is used earlier in the verse to denote the general divine authority behind the commands, "the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes that it is the faithful, covenant-keeping God who is actively and personally involved in preserving Noah and his family. This choice of name highlights God's intimate relationship with His people and His unwavering commitment to His promises, even in the midst of widespread judgment. It underscores that this act of sealing the Ark is an act of covenant faithfulness and personal care for His chosen remnant.

**Does the shutting of the Ark's door imply a final judgment for all time?**

Answer: The shutting of the Ark's door marked a definitive end to the period of grace for those outside the Ark in Noah's day, leading to their physical judgment by the floodwaters. While it was a specific historical event, it serves as a powerful biblical type or foreshadowing of future divine judgments, including the final judgment. Jesus Himself referenced the days of Noah as a parallel to His second coming, when a similar separation and finality will occur for all humanity, as described in [Matthew 24:37-39](/matthew/24-37-39 "Jesus' words about the days of Noah"). This event underscores the urgency of responding to God's call for salvation and repentance today, as there will come a time when the "door" of opportunity is irrevocably shut.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 7:16 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Ark, securely sealed by God's own hand, serves as a profound type of Christ, who is the sole means of salvation from divine judgment. Just as the Ark provided the only refuge from the devastating floodwaters, Christ provides the only refuge from the wrath to come, as declared in [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Saved from God's Wrath Through Christ"). The "door" of the Ark, once closed by God, finds its spiritual parallel in Christ Himself, who declared, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved" ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "Jesus declares 'I am the door'")). God's act of "shutting him in" foreshadows the eternal security found in being "in Christ," where believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing their preservation from eternal condemnation and securing their inheritance, as promised in [Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise"). This verse ultimately points to Christ as the divine provision, the secure sanctuary, the final arbiter of salvation and judgment, and the one through whom God's covenant promises are eternally fulfilled.

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

Matthew 25:10

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Luke 13:25

When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Psalms 91:1

¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91:10

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Genesis 7:2

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that [are] not clean by two, the male and his female.

Genesis 7:3

Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.

2 Kings 4:4

And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.