Genesis 8:8

KJV

Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;

KJV (with Strong's)

Also he sent forth {H7971} a dove {H3123} from him, to see {H7200} if the waters {H4325} were abated {H7043} from off the face {H6440} of the ground {H127};

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he sent out a dove, to see if the water had gone from the surface of the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground.

American Standard Version

And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 8:8 meticulously records Noah's deliberate action of dispatching a dove from the ark, a pivotal moment in his methodical quest to ascertain the state of the earth after the cataclysmic Great Flood. This second avian reconnaissance mission, following the inconclusive flight of the raven, underscores Noah's patient and discerning approach, as he seeks definitive evidence that the vast, destructive waters had sufficiently receded, making the ground habitable once more for life to flourish.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the post-flood narrative of [Genesis 8](/genesis/8 "Genesis 8 - The Flood Recedes and Noah Leaves the Ark"), immediately following Noah's initial attempt to gauge the earth's condition by sending a raven in [Genesis 8:7](/genesis/8-7 "Noah Sends a Raven"). The sequential nature of these events—waiting, sending the raven, then the dove—highlights a deliberate, almost scientific, process of observation and testing. The raven's failure to return with a clear sign prompts Noah to employ a different creature, whose habits would provide more precise information about the dry land. This gradual revelation of the earth's recovery builds narrative tension and emphasizes the profound transition from judgment to restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, birds were often used for reconnaissance and communication, making Noah's actions culturally understandable. The ark itself, resting on [Mount Ararat](/genesis/8-4 "The Ark Rests on Mount Ararat"), represents a microcosm of humanity and creation preserved through divine judgment. The extended period of waiting—over a year since the flood began—would have tested Noah's faith and patience. The concept of "abating waters" would have resonated with ancient peoples familiar with seasonal floods and the subsequent emergence of fertile land. The choice of a dove, a clean bird often associated with purity and domesticity, contrasts sharply with the raven, a scavenger, and subtly introduces a symbolic dimension to Noah's quest for a new, clean beginning.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 8:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates God's **sovereignty and faithfulness** in preserving a remnant and fulfilling His promise of a new beginning, even after widespread judgment. Noah's actions embody themes of **patience and perseverance** in waiting for God's timing, demonstrating active faith through observation rather than passive inaction. The abating waters and the search for dry ground speak to the theme of **new creation and restoration**, foreshadowing God's ongoing work of renewal. Furthermore, the narrative subtly introduces the **symbolism of the dove**, which will echo throughout biblical history as a sign of peace and divine presence, particularly in the New Testament with the descent of the Spirit at Jesus' baptism, as seen in [Matthew 3:16](/matthew/3-16 "The Holy Spirit Descends on Jesus at His Baptism").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent forth (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This word (H7971) signifies a purposeful dispatching or sending away, often with an objective in mind. In Noah's context, it indicates a deliberate, active step taken to gather information, not a casual release. It conveys Noah's agency and his methodical approach to discerning the earth's condition.
* **dove (Hebrew, _yôwnâh'_):** The term (H3123) specifically denotes a dove or pigeon. Unlike the raven, a scavenger that could find sustenance on floating carcasses, the dove is known for its preference for dry land and vegetation. This makes its behavior a more reliable indicator of the earth's habitability, signifying a search for a place of rest and sustenance on solid ground.
* **abated (Hebrew, _qâlal'_):** This word (H7043) means to be light, to lessen, or to become trifling. In the context of the waters, it implies not merely a receding, but a significant reduction in their depth and power, making them less oppressive and allowing the ground to emerge and become stable. It suggests a qualitative change in the water's presence, indicating a return to normalcy and a state where life could thrive again.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also he sent forth a dove from him":** This phrase emphasizes Noah's initiative and the specific choice of a dove. After the raven's inconclusive mission, Noah selects a different kind of bird, one whose natural habits would provide a clearer indication of the earth's condition. The phrase "from him" highlights Noah's personal involvement and the directness of his action from the ark.
* **"to see if the waters were abated":** This clause clearly states the purpose of sending the dove. Noah is not merely releasing the bird but is conducting an intentional reconnaissance. The verb "to see" (H7200, _râʼâh'_) denotes a desire to perceive, discern, and gain understanding through direct observation. This reveals Noah's patient, investigative approach, seeking tangible proof of the flood's recession.
* **"from off the face of the ground":** This specifies the desired outcome of the observation. Noah wants to know if the waters had not just receded in general, but specifically from the "face" (H6440, _pânîym'_), or surface, of the "ground" (H127, _ʼădâmâh'_). This indicates a yearning for the earth to be fully exposed, dry, and ready for habitation, implying a return to a state where life could safely exist outside the ark.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Narrative Progression** is evident as Noah systematically attempts to discern the earth's condition, moving from the raven to the dove, indicating a methodical and patient approach to the unfolding divine plan. The **Symbolism** of the dove is paramount; unlike the scavenging raven, the dove is often associated with purity, peace, and new beginnings. Its dispatch carries a profound sense of hope and anticipation for a clean, restored world. This act also serves as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the dove's future significance in biblical narrative, particularly as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and divine presence, as seen at Jesus' baptism. The repeated action of sending birds creates a sense of **Suspense**, building anticipation for the eventual revelation of dry land and God's faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 8:8, with Noah's patient dispatch of the dove, stands as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It underscores the transition from divine judgment to the promise of new life, reflecting God's commitment to His creation even after a cataclysmic event. Noah's active discernment also highlights the human responsibility to engage with God's will through observation and patient waiting, trusting that He will reveal His timing. The dove's mission serves as a hopeful harbinger of restoration, a clean beginning after a period of profound cleansing.

* [Genesis 8:11](/genesis/8-11 "The Dove Returns with an Olive Leaf")
* [Matthew 3:16](/matthew/3-16 "The Holy Spirit Descends as a Dove at Jesus' Baptism")
* [2 Peter 3:5-7](/2_peter/3-5-7 "God's Judgment by Water and Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Noah sending the dove provides a powerful model for our own lives, especially during seasons of uncertainty, waiting, or profound change. Like Noah, we are called to exercise **patience and perseverance**, not rushing ahead of God's timing, but diligently seeking His guidance. His methodical approach—sending the raven, then the dove, waiting between each—teaches us the value of **active discernment** and observation. We are encouraged to use the wisdom and resources God provides to understand our circumstances, rather than passively waiting or impulsively reacting. This passage reminds us that even after periods of great trial or judgment, God is at work bringing about **restoration and new beginnings**. The hope embodied by the dove's mission encourages us to maintain faith that God will ultimately bring us to a place of rest and flourishing, just as He did for Noah and his family, ultimately promising a future where He will [make all things new](/revelation/21-5 "God Makes All Things New").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently in a "waiting period" like Noah?**
* **How can you practice active discernment and patience while waiting for God's timing?**
* **What "signs" or observations might God be providing to guide you during times of uncertainty?**
* **How does Noah's perseverance encourage you to trust God's faithfulness in your own trials?**

### FAQ
**Why did Noah send a dove after the raven?**

Answer: Noah's choice to send a dove after the raven was strategic and indicative of his careful discernment. The raven, being a scavenger, could subsist on carrion or floating debris, and therefore its failure to return to the ark in [Genesis 8:7](/genesis/8-7 "Noah Sends a Raven") did not definitively indicate the presence of dry land. It simply flew "to and fro." The dove, however, is a clean bird that requires dry ground and vegetation to rest and feed. Its return (or lack thereof, or its return with a specific sign like an olive leaf in [Genesis 8:11](/genesis/8-11 "The Dove Returns with an Olive Leaf")) would provide a much clearer and more reliable indication that the waters had truly abated and that the earth was becoming habitable again.

**What is the symbolic significance of the dove in this passage?**

Answer: The dove in this passage carries profound symbolic significance. It is widely understood as a symbol of **hope and new beginnings** after a period of judgment and destruction. Its nature as a clean and peaceful bird contrasts with the raven, foreshadowing a return to a state of purity and peace on earth. The dove's eventual return with an olive leaf in [Genesis 8:11](/genesis/8-11 "The Dove Returns with an Olive Leaf") solidifies its role as a harbinger of **peace, reconciliation, and renewed life**. This symbolism resonates throughout the Bible, most notably when the Holy Spirit descends "like a dove" upon Jesus at His baptism in [Matthew 3:16](/matthew/3-16 "The Holy Spirit Descends on Jesus at His Baptism"), signifying divine presence, purity, and the inauguration of a new covenant of grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Noah sending the dove in [Genesis 8:8](/genesis/8-8 "Noah Sends a Dove"), seeking a sign of new life after judgment, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Just as the dove signaled the end of the old, water-judged world and the dawn of a new creation, so too does Jesus Christ inaugurate a truly new creation and a new humanity. The judgment of the flood, which cleansed the earth, points forward to Christ's sacrifice, which cleanses humanity from sin. The dove, later appearing at Jesus' baptism in [Matthew 3:16](/matthew/3-16 "The Holy Spirit Descends on Jesus at His Baptism"), symbolizes the Holy Spirit descending upon Him, marking the beginning of His public ministry and the ultimate bringing of peace and reconciliation between God and humanity. Through Christ, the hope of a restored earth finds its spiritual reality in the **new birth** offered to believers, as described in [John 3:3](/john/3-3 "Jesus Teaches Nicodemus About Being Born Again"). He is the true ark, providing salvation from the ultimate judgment, offering not merely a temporary rest on dry land, but eternal rest and peace, fulfilling the deepest longings for a world made new and a life lived in perfect harmony with God, as promised in [Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "A New Heaven and a 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

Song Of Solomon 2:14

¶ O my dove, [that art] in the clefts of the rock, in the secret [places] of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, and thy countenance [is] comely.

Genesis 8:10

And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;

Genesis 8:12

And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

Song Of Solomon 2:11

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over [and] gone;

Song Of Solomon 2:12

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Matthew 10:16

¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Song Of Solomon 1:15

Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves' eyes.