Genesis 8:16

KJV

Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Go forth {H3318} of the ark {H8392}, thou, and thy wife {H802}, and thy sons {H1121}, and thy sons {H1121}' wives {H802} with thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Go out from the ark, you, your wife, your sons and your son’s wives with you.

Berean Standard Bible

“Come out of the ark, you and your wife, along with your sons and their wives.

American Standard Version

Go forth from the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 8:16 marks the climactic moment of divine instruction after the Great Flood, signaling the end of Noah's confinement within the ark and the commencement of a new era for life on Earth. Following over a year of preservation, God issues a direct, authoritative command for Noah, his family, and all the animals to disembark, underscoring His unwavering faithfulness in preserving a remnant and initiating a fresh creation mandate for humanity and the animal kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 8:16 stands as a pivotal turning point within the flood narrative, immediately following Noah's patient observations of the receding waters. Prior to this verse, Noah had diligently sent out a raven and then doves to ascertain the dryness of the earth, demonstrating his reliance on environmental cues but ultimately waiting for divine authorization. The narrative flow meticulously details the gradual drying of the earth (Genesis 8:1-14), culminating in God's explicit command to "Go forth" in Genesis 8:15-17. This sequence highlights Noah's profound patience and unwavering obedience, as he does not act on his own initiative but waits for God's precise timing and instruction, mirroring his obedience in building the ark itself. The command in this verse is the divine green light for the new beginning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The post-flood world described in Genesis 8 represents a reset for humanity and creation. In ancient Near Eastern thought, floods were often seen as divine judgment or chaotic forces. However, in the biblical account, the flood is a purposeful act of divine judgment and purification, followed by a meticulous re-establishment of order. The emphasis on Noah's family—his wife, sons, and sons' wives—underscores the crucial role of the family unit as the foundation for repopulation and the continuity of human civilization. This period also sets the stage for the establishment of the Noahic Covenant in [Genesis 9:8-17](/genesis/9-8-17 "Genesis 9:8-17 - God's Covenant with Noah"), which promises never again to destroy the earth by flood, thereby establishing a new, stable relationship between God and humanity, marked by divine grace and the mandate to "be fruitful and multiply."
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, demonstrating that God, not Noah, dictates the timing and manner of the new beginning, asserting His absolute control over creation and redemption. Secondly, it highlights **Obedience as a Prerequisite for Blessing**, as Noah's consistent and patient adherence to God's commands, from building the ark to waiting for the word to disembark, positions him and his family to receive God's renewed blessing and mandate. Thirdly, the disembarkation from the ark symbolizes **New Creation and Restoration**, marking a world cleansed and ready for renewed life, echoing the original creation account in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and foreshadowing future acts of divine restoration. Finally, it sets the stage for the **Repopulation of the Earth** and the re-establishment of humanity's mandate, as seen in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "Genesis 9:1 - God Blesses Noah and His Sons").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This word (H3318) is a primitive root meaning "to go (causatively, bring) out," or "to come forth." Its use here is an imperative, a direct command from God, signifying a divinely authorized and purposeful exit rather than a mere suggestion or an act of human impatience. It underscores God's active role in orchestrating this new beginning for humanity and all living creatures, emphasizing His initiative and sovereign control over the timing and execution of events.
* **ark (Hebrew, _têbâh'_):** This term (H8392) refers specifically to the vessel of salvation, a "box" or "ark." It is used only for Noah's ark and the basket in which Moses was placed (Exodus 2:3). Its presence here emphasizes that the departure is from a place of divine preservation and refuge, highlighting the ark's unique role as the means by which God saved a remnant from the judgment of the flood. Leaving the `têbâh` signifies the transition from a period of confinement and salvation to a new era of life on a cleansed earth.
* **wife (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** This word (H802) is the feminine form of "man" and broadly refers to a "woman" or "wife." Its specific mention alongside Noah and then repeated for his sons' wives underscores the preservation of the foundational human family unit. This detail is crucial for the continuity and repopulation of humanity, emphasizing that God's plan for the future of the human race is rooted in the family structure He ordained from the beginning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go forth of the ark":** This is a direct, authoritative command from God, signifying the end of the period of confinement and the beginning of a new era. It is not an invitation but an imperative, highlighting God's sovereign initiative in orchestrating the next phase of creation's renewal. This command marks the transition from salvation within the ark to life on the cleansed earth.
* **"thou, and thy wife":** This clause specifically identifies Noah and his immediate partner as the first to disembark, emphasizing the foundational couple from whom all future humanity would descend. Their specific mention underscores their unique role as the progenitors of the post-flood world, highlighting the preservation of the core family unit.
* **"and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee":** This expands the command to include Noah's entire family, comprising his three sons and their respective wives. This detail is crucial as it signifies the complete preservation of the human family unit, ensuring the continuity of humanity and the ability to fulfill the renewed mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" on the earth. It emphasizes the collective nature of God's salvation and the comprehensive scope of His plan for repopulation.

#### Literary Devices
The language of Genesis 8:16 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood** in "Go forth," which conveys God's direct command and absolute authority. This is not a suggestion but a divine fiat, underscoring that the timing and action are entirely God-ordained. The verse also utilizes **Enumeration** by meticulously listing each member of Noah's family ("thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives"). This precise listing emphasizes the completeness of the human remnant preserved and highlights the family unit as the divinely appointed means for the repopulation of the earth. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Initiative**, where God's spoken word brings about the next critical phase of the narrative, demonstrating His active involvement in every step of His redemptive plan for creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 8:16 is deeply theological, revealing God's character and His ongoing relationship with creation. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that He is the one who initiates, sustains, and directs all life. His command to "Go forth" is not merely an instruction but an act of grace, moving humanity from judgment to a renewed opportunity for life and purpose. This moment foreshadows God's consistent pattern of preserving a remnant and initiating new beginnings, even after severe judgment, showcasing His enduring faithfulness and redemptive purpose for humanity.

* [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "Genesis 9:1 - God's Blessing and Command to Noah")
* [Isaiah 43:18-19](/isaiah/43-18-19 "Isaiah 43:18-19 - God Does a New Thing")
* [Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - New Heavens and New Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 8:16 offers profound lessons for believers today, particularly regarding the virtues of patience, obedience, and the promise of new beginnings. Just as Noah waited patiently for God's explicit command to leave the ark, we are called to trust in God's perfect timing for our own lives, even during prolonged periods of uncertainty, confinement, or difficulty. Noah's example reminds us that true faith is demonstrated through consistent and specific obedience to God's instructions, ensuring that our actions, whether in waiting or moving forward, are always in alignment with His divine will and not our own impatience. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereignly capable of bringing about fresh starts and profound renewal in our lives, even after immense trials or periods of judgment, offering enduring hope for restoration and new purpose. It encourages us to listen for God's voice, to move when He commands, and to trust that His plan for our lives is always for our ultimate good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently waiting for God's clear command to "go forth" or move forward?**
* **How does Noah's patient obedience in waiting for God's command challenge your own tendencies toward impatience or acting on your own initiative?**
* **How can the promise of a "new beginning" after a period of trial, as seen in Genesis 8:16, encourage you in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command Noah to "go forth" rather than simply opening the ark or having Noah decide when to leave?**

Answer: The command "Go forth" (Hebrew: *yâtsâʼ*) emphasizes divine initiative and authority. It signifies that Noah's departure was not merely a physical act but a divinely sanctioned and purposeful step in God's overarching plan for a new beginning. This command highlights Noah's continued obedience and trust, demonstrating that he did not leave the ark on his own accord or out of impatience, but only when explicitly directed by God. This underscores God's active involvement in every stage of the post-flood restoration, from the initial preservation in the ark (as seen in [Genesis 7:16](/genesis/7-16 "Genesis 7:16 - The Lord Shut Him In")) to the re-establishment of life on the cleansed earth. It reinforces the theological principle that God is sovereign over all aspects of creation and human history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine command for Noah and his family to "Go forth of the ark" serves as a profound Old Testament foreshadowing of Christ's greater work in establishing a new creation and bringing humanity into a new life. Noah, as the head of a new humanity emerging from the judgment of the flood, prefigures Christ, who is the head of the new spiritual humanity, emerging victorious from the judgment of sin through His death and glorious resurrection. Just as the ark provided salvation from the waters of judgment, Christ is the ultimate "ark" of salvation, offering refuge and new life to all who enter into Him by faith, as stated in [1 Peter 3:20-21](/1_peter/3-20-21 "1 Peter 3:20-21 - Baptism and Salvation"). His perfect obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")), mirrors and ultimately fulfills Noah's obedience, inaugurating a new covenant and a spiritual new beginning for all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Through Christ, believers are commanded to "go forth" from their old lives of sin into a transformed existence, walking in newness of life on a spiritually renewed "earth," anticipating the ultimate new heavens and new earth promised in [Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - New Heavens and New Earth").

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

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;

Psalms 121:8

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

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.

Joshua 3:17

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

Joshua 4:10

¶ For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

Acts 16:27

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

Acts 16:28

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.