Genesis 8:20

KJV

¶ And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Noah {H5146} builded {H1129} an altar {H4196} unto the LORD {H3068}; and took {H3947} of every clean {H2889} beast {H929}, and of every clean {H2889} fowl {H5775}, and offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} on the altar {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Noach built an altar to Adonai. Then he took from every clean animal and every clean bird, and he offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.

American Standard Version

And Noah builded an altar unto Jehovah, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Upon disembarking from the ark onto a renewed earth, Noah's immediate and profound act was to construct an altar and offer burnt offerings from every clean beast and fowl to the LORD. This spontaneous expression of worship served as a deeply significant response of gratitude for divine preservation, established a foundational pattern for humanity's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, and prophetically foreshadowed the future sacrificial system, illustrating humanity's proper posture of devotion and dependence in the wake of God's grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 8:20 marks a pivotal turning point in the post-Flood narrative. Immediately preceding this verse, the waters of the flood have receded, the ark has rested on the mountains of Ararat, and Noah, his family, and all the animals have safely disembarked onto dry ground (Genesis 8:13-19). This verse describes Noah's very first action upon returning to the renewed earth, an uncommanded act of worship that precedes God's subsequent covenant with Noah and his descendants (Genesis 9:1-17). It sets the stage for a new beginning for humanity, emphasizing a renewed relationship with God built on gratitude and acknowledgment of His saving power, in stark contrast to the wickedness that characterized the pre-Flood world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, altars were common structures used for religious rituals, serving as designated places for offerings and communion with deities. While the elaborate sacrificial system of the Mosaic Law was centuries away, the concept of offering sacrifices to God was already present, as evidenced by Cain and Abel's offerings in Genesis 4. Noah's distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals (first mentioned in [Genesis 7:2-3](/genesis/7-2-3 "God's Instructions for Clean and Unclean Animals")) suggests a pre-Mosaic understanding of ritual purity, perhaps an inherent moral intuition or an earlier divine revelation, indicating what was acceptable for divine encounter. Noah, as the sole righteous man preserved through the global judgment, stood as the progenitor of a new humanity, making his initial act profoundly significant for the spiritual trajectory of the post-Flood world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **divine deliverance** and **human gratitude**, portraying worship as the appropriate response to God's salvific acts. It introduces the theme of **covenant** by preceding God's formal establishment of His covenant with Noah in [Genesis 9](/genesis/9 "God's Covenant with Noah"), suggesting that human faith and worship often precede and invite further divine promises. Furthermore, it lays foundational groundwork for the theme of **sacrifice** as a means of approaching God, foreshadowing the intricate sacrificial system later detailed in the Pentateuch and ultimately pointing to the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Noah's act also highlights the **new beginning** for humanity, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging God at the outset of any new endeavor or era.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **builded (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** From H1129, a primitive root meaning "to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely." Noah's action signifies not merely construction, but the establishment of a foundational act of worship for the new world. It implies intentionality and permanence in his devotion.
* **clean (Hebrew, _ṭâhôwr'_):** From H2889, meaning "pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense); clean, fair, pure(-ness)." This word emphasizes the ritual purity and acceptability of the animals chosen for sacrifice. It highlights an inherent or revealed understanding of what is suitable for God, signifying the best and unblemished portion.
* **burnt offerings (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** From H5930, meaning "a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to." The term literally means "that which ascends" or "goes up," referring to the smoke of the sacrifice ascending to God. This type of offering, where the entire animal (except the hide) was consumed by fire, symbolized complete dedication, total surrender, and often served as an act of atonement or propitiation, demonstrating absolute devotion to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD":** This clause describes Noah's immediate and voluntary initiative. The construction of an "altar" (`mizbêach`, a place for slaughter/sacrifice) signifies a designated sacred space for communion with God. This is the first altar mentioned since the time of Cain and Abel, marking a re-establishment of formal worship. Noah's act is directed "unto the LORD" (Yahweh, the personal covenant name of God), indicating a personal and relational act of devotion to the God who had delivered him.
* **"and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl":** This specifies the nature of the sacrificial victims. The distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals, previously introduced in God's instructions for the ark ([Genesis 7:2](/genesis/7-2 "God's Instructions for Clean and Unclean Animals")), is crucial. By selecting "clean" animals, Noah offered what was deemed acceptable and pure, signifying the best of what he had and adhering to a principle of holiness in worship. This act underscores a pre-Mosaic understanding of ritual purity necessary for approaching God.
* **"and offered burnt offerings on the altar":** This describes the specific type of sacrifice. The "burnt offering" (`ʻôlâh`) was unique in that the entire animal (excluding the hide, which went to the priest in later Mosaic law) was consumed by fire, symbolizing a complete and total dedication to God. This act was often associated with atonement, expressing profound gratitude, seeking reconciliation, and demonstrating absolute surrender and devotion. It served as a foundational pattern for approaching God through costly, dedicated offerings, anticipating the elaborate sacrificial system of the Mosaic Law.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 8:20 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the **altar** symbolizing a designated place of divine encounter, reconciliation, and worship. The **burnt offerings** themselves are highly symbolic, representing complete surrender, total devotion, and the appeasement of divine wrath. The act of offering "clean" animals **symbolizes** the principle of purity and acceptability required for approaching a holy God. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as **foreshadowing**. Noah's uncommanded sacrifice anticipates the divinely instituted sacrificial system of the Mosaic Law, particularly the `olah` offering (e.g., [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "The Law of the Burnt Offering")), establishing a continuity of divine-human interaction through sacrifice. This act also subtly **contrasts** Noah's immediate and grateful obedience with the pervasive wickedness of the pre-Flood generation, highlighting the renewed spiritual trajectory for humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Noah's spontaneous act of building an altar and offering burnt sacrifices upon disembarking from the ark establishes a profound theological precedent for humanity's relationship with God. It underscores that genuine gratitude and worship are the primary and most fitting responses to divine deliverance and new beginnings. This uncommanded act of devotion, born out of faith and thanksgiving, precedes God's formal covenant with Noah, suggesting that human initiative in worship often invites and precedes further divine blessings and promises. The meticulous selection of "clean" animals and the nature of the "burnt offering" (`olah`) highlight a pre-existing understanding of holiness and the need for complete dedication in approaching a holy God, laying the groundwork for the elaborate sacrificial system that would later be codified in the Mosaic Law. This moment signifies a re-establishment of a right relationship between God and humanity after the judgment of the flood, marking a turning point towards divine-human communion.

* [Genesis 9:11](/genesis/9-11 "God's Covenant with Noah")
* [Leviticus 1:4](/leviticus/1-4 "The Purpose of the Burnt Offering")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "The Inadequacy of Old Testament Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Noah's profound act of worship in Genesis 8:20 serves as a timeless and powerful example for believers today. In the wake of God's deliverance, provision, or new beginnings in our lives, our primary and most natural response should be one of heartfelt gratitude and worship. Just as Noah offered the "clean" and the "best" of what he had, we are called to offer our lives as a "living sacrifice" to God, dedicating our time, talents, resources, and very selves to His service (as exhorted in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "A Living Sacrifice")). This act of worship is not merely a duty but a privilege, a spontaneous outpouring of love and thanks for God's unfailing grace. Noah's initiative also reminds us that our worship does not always need to be commanded; it can and should be a voluntary, Spirit-prompted response that precedes and often unlocks further blessings and deeper intimacy with God, much like God's covenant followed Noah's act of devotion ([Genesis 9:8-17](/genesis/9-8-17 "God's Covenant with Noah and the Rainbow")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is my immediate response when God delivers me from a difficult situation or grants me a new beginning? Is it gratitude and worship?**
* **In what ways can I offer my "clean" or "best" to God in my daily life, reflecting a complete dedication to Him?**
* **How does Noah's uncommanded act of worship inspire me to seek God proactively, not just in times of need or when explicitly commanded?**
* **How does understanding the symbolism of the burnt offering (complete surrender) inform my own walk of faith and commitment to Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why did Noah offer sacrifices immediately after the flood?**

Answer: Noah's immediate offering was a spontaneous and profound act of gratitude and thanksgiving to the LORD. Having been miraculously preserved through the devastating global flood, he recognized God's sovereign power, faithfulness, and mercy. It was a heartfelt response to divine deliverance and a foundational act of worship for a new beginning for humanity on a renewed earth.

**What is the significance of "clean" animals in Noah's sacrifice?**

Answer: The explicit mention of "clean" animals, a distinction introduced by God earlier ([Genesis 7:2](/genesis/7-2 "God's Instructions for Clean and Unclean Animals")), indicates a pre-existing understanding of ritual purity and what was acceptable for worship. By offering clean animals, Noah presented what was deemed suitable, unblemished, and pure for communion with God. This signified offering the best of what he had and acknowledged a divine standard of holiness required for approaching the Almighty.

**What was a "burnt offering" (`olah`) and what did it symbolize?**

Answer: The `olah` (Hebrew for "that which ascends") was a unique type of sacrifice where the entire animal, except for its hide, was consumed by fire on the altar. It symbolized complete dedication, total surrender, and a desire for reconciliation or communion with God. Unlike other sacrifices which might include a shared meal, the `olah` was wholly given to God, representing a full devotion, atonement, and the appeasement of divine wrath.

**Was Noah's sacrifice commanded by God?**

Answer: No, the biblical text does not state that God commanded Noah to build an altar or offer sacrifices at this specific point. Noah's act was a voluntary initiative, born out of his deep faith, profound gratitude, and personal devotion. It serves as a powerful example of a spontaneous human response of worship to divine grace, setting a precedent for future acts of worship that are not merely obligatory but flow from a thankful heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Noah's burnt offering, a complete dedication of clean animals ascending in smoke to God, serves as a profound and poignant foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. While Noah's act was a symbolic, temporary, and repeated means of approaching God, Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the once-for-all, perfect `olah` (as illuminated in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Jesus is the truly "clean," spotless, and sinless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose voluntary offering of Himself perfectly atones for the sins of humanity, definitively removes divine wrath, and provides eternal access and communion with God. Through His singular, complete sacrifice, Christ fulfills the symbolic significance of all Old Testament sacrifices, including Noah's, inaugurating a new covenant where perfect reconciliation and direct access to God are granted not through animal blood, but through the precious blood of His Son ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

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

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

Hebrews 13:16

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Genesis 22:9

And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Romans 12:1

¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Leviticus 11:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,

Leviticus 11:47

To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.