Genesis 9:11

KJV

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will establish {H6965} my covenant {H1285} with you; neither shall all flesh {H1320} be cut off {H3772} any more by the waters {H4325} of a flood {H3999}; neither shall there any more be a flood {H3999} to destroy {H7843} the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will establish my covenant with you that never again will all living beings be destroyed by the waters of a flood, and there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible

And I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

American Standard Version

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of the flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 9:11 articulates God's solemn and unconditional covenant with Noah and all future generations of living creatures, assuring them that a global flood will never again be used to destroy all flesh or the earth. This pivotal declaration, made immediately after the Great Flood, marks a profound new beginning for creation, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness, His commitment to preserve life, and His benevolent sovereignty over the natural world, establishing a foundational promise for the continuity of life on Earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 9:11 is a direct continuation of God's post-flood interaction with Noah and his sons, immediately following the command to be fruitful and multiply and the establishment of the new dietary regulations. The preceding chapters detail the catastrophic [global flood](/genesis/7-17-24 "Genesis 7:17-24 - The Great Flood") that wiped out all land-dwelling life outside the ark due to humanity's pervasive wickedness. This verse, therefore, serves as the definitive, explicit promise within the broader [Noahic Covenant](/genesis/9-8-17 "Genesis 9:8-17 - The Noahic Covenant"), which God initiates unilaterally. It transitions the narrative from divine judgment to divine preservation, setting the stage for the repopulation of the earth and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, covenants were common, often involving a superior party (a king or deity) establishing terms with an inferior party (a vassal or people). These covenants typically involved mutual obligations and consequences for breach. However, the Noahic Covenant is unique in its unconditional nature, initiated solely by God and extended to all living creatures, not just humanity. While other ancient flood myths exist (e.g., the Epic of Gilgamesh), the biblical account stands apart by emphasizing God's moral judgment, His grace in preserving a remnant, and His subsequent, binding promise of non-destruction. This promise would have provided immense psychological and spiritual reassurance to a post-cataclysmic world, establishing a new, stable order for existence.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 9:11 is central to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and beyond. It powerfully emphasizes **God's unwavering faithfulness** (His *hesed*), demonstrating that even after severe judgment, His ultimate disposition is toward preservation and life. It introduces the theme of **covenant** as a primary mode of God's interaction with humanity, a concept that will be further developed with [Abraham](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham") and [Israel](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - The Mosaic Covenant"). The verse also highlights **divine sovereignty over creation**, asserting God's absolute control over natural forces and His commitment to sustain the earth. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for **new creation** and the **continuity of life**, ensuring the conditions necessary for humanity to fulfill the original mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" (as seen in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "Genesis 9:1 - God Blesses Noah and His Sons")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In Genesis 9:11, God directly addresses Noah, establishing a solemn and perpetual covenant. The core of this divine pledge is a twofold assurance: "neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth." This promise signifies a definitive end to global judgment by water, ensuring the continuity of life and the stability of the terrestrial world.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_ H1285):** This term, derived from a root suggesting "cutting," refers to a solemn, binding agreement or compact. Its origin implies a ritual where animals were cut in half, and parties walked between them, symbolizing the fate of the one who breaks the covenant. Here, however, it is a unilateral divine pledge, initiated by God alone, making it an unconditional promise of immense weight and authority. It signifies God's self-binding commitment.
* **Establish (Hebrew, _qûwm'_ H6965):** This verb means to rise, stand up, confirm, or make firm. In this context, it emphasizes the permanence, stability, and unwavering nature of God's promise. It indicates that God's covenant will endure and stand firm through all generations, providing a foundation that cannot be shaken by human action or natural forces.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_ H3772):** This primitive root means to cut (off, down, or asunder), and by implication, to destroy or consume. It is often used in the context of ending a life or lineage. Here, it vividly describes the complete annihilation of life by the flood. God's promise that "all flesh" will not be "cut off" again by a flood directly counters the devastating judgment just experienced, guaranteeing the preservation of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will establish my covenant with you;":** This opening clause immediately highlights God's initiative and sovereignty. He is the one who "establishs" (makes firm, confirms) this covenant, not in response to human merit, but out of His own gracious will. The "you" refers to Noah and, by extension, all of humanity and indeed all living creatures, setting the scope of this universal promise.
* **"neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood;":** This is the first, specific negative promise of the covenant. "All flesh" encompasses every living being—humans, animals, birds—that had been destroyed in the previous flood. The phrase "cut off" emphasizes the complete eradication of life. God promises that this specific form of universal annihilation by water will never recur, providing a fundamental guarantee for the continuation of biological life on Earth.
* **"neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.":** This second negative promise reiterates and expands upon the first, focusing on the agent of destruction ("a flood") and its ultimate target ("the earth"). The repetition of "any more" underscores the finality and permanence of this divine decree. It assures the stability of the terrestrial environment itself, ensuring that the very ground upon which life exists will not be universally submerged and ruined by such a deluge again.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, with the phrase "neither shall there any more be a flood" appearing twice, emphasizing the absolute and permanent nature of God's promise. This repetition creates a sense of divine certainty and reassurance. The structure of the verse also functions as a **Covenant Formula**, a declarative statement of divine commitment, which is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern treaties where the superior party dictates terms. Furthermore, the entire verse is an example of **Divine Speech**, conveying God's direct and authoritative word, which carries ultimate weight and ensures its fulfillment. The contrast between the recent destruction and the immediate, unconditional promise also highlights **Divine Grace** and **Mercy** as foundational aspects of God's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 9:11 is a cornerstone of biblical theology, revealing profound truths about God's character and His ongoing relationship with creation. It fundamentally asserts God's unwavering faithfulness, demonstrating that His promises are immutable and His commitment to preserve life transcends human sinfulness. This covenant establishes a stable framework for the unfolding of redemptive history, ensuring the continued existence of humanity and the earth necessary for God's ultimate plan of salvation to materialize. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty, not only as Creator but also as Sustainer, actively upholding the natural order and providing a secure environment for life to flourish. This act of grace, following a cataclysmic judgment, sets a precedent for God's redemptive work, where preservation always precedes a new opportunity for relationship.

* [Isaiah 54:9-10](/isaiah/54-9-10 "Isaiah 54:9-10 - God's Everlasting Kindness")
* [Jeremiah 33:20-21](/jeremiah/33-20-21 "Jeremiah 33:20-21 - God's Covenant with Day and Night")
* [Psalm 145:13](/psalms/145-13 "Psalm 145:13 - God's Enduring Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 9:11 offers profound comfort and reassurance, revealing a God who is not only just in judgment but also merciful and faithful in His promises. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's promises are trustworthy; just as He kept His promise to Noah, we can trust His word concerning salvation, provision, and His ultimate plan for humanity. His faithfulness is a cornerstone of our hope. Even after widespread destruction, God offers a new beginning and a promise of stability, which encourages hope in times of personal or global upheaval, reminding us that God is sovereign and provides continuity. This foundational promise underpins the very existence of the world as we know it, a testament to God's enduring grace and His commitment to His creation, beautifully illustrating His patience and His desire for humanity to thrive, laying a foundational understanding of His subsequent covenants and His overarching plan for redemption. It invites us to live with confidence, knowing that the God who sustains the cosmos also sustains our lives and His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's unconditional promise in Genesis 9:11 deepen your understanding of His faithfulness?**
* **In what ways does this covenant provide a foundation of hope for humanity and creation?**
* **How might the stability guaranteed by the Noahic Covenant encourage you when facing personal or global uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**Is the Noahic Covenant still active today?**

Answer: Yes, the Noahic Covenant is explicitly described as an "everlasting covenant" in [Genesis 9:16](/genesis/9-16 "Genesis 9:16 - The Everlasting Covenant"). This means it remains active and binding for all generations. God's promise not to destroy the earth by a global flood stands firm to this day, evidenced by the consistent natural order and the absence of such a worldwide deluge since Noah's time.

**Does "all flesh" include only humans?**

Answer: No, the phrase "all flesh" (Hebrew: *kol-basar*) in the context of the Noahic Covenant explicitly includes all living creatures on the earth. [Genesis 9:10](/genesis/9-10 "Genesis 9:10 - Scope of the Covenant") clarifies this, stating the covenant is with "every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth." This demonstrates God's comprehensive care extends to all of His creation, not just humanity.

**Does this covenant mean there will be no more floods at all?**

Answer: The covenant specifically promises no more *global* floods that destroy "all flesh" and the entire earth. It does not preclude local or regional floods, which are natural phenomena and can still cause significant damage and loss of life. The promise is against a universal, annihilating deluge that would wipe out all land-dwelling life and render the earth uninhabitable, as occurred in Noah's time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While the Noahic Covenant primarily concerns the preservation of physical life and the earth, it implicitly points towards Christ as the ultimate preserver and the one who brings about a new and eternal covenant. The stability and continuity guaranteed by this covenant provide the necessary stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, culminating in Jesus Christ. Just as God promised never again to destroy the earth by water, in Christ, He offers salvation from the ultimate destruction of sin and eternal judgment. Jesus, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfills the righteous requirements of God, establishing a [New Covenant in His blood](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The Promise of the New Covenant") that offers not just physical preservation but eternal life and reconciliation with God. Through His death and resurrection, Christ ensures a "new creation" for those who believe, an everlasting kingdom that will never be "cut off," providing a security far greater and more profound than the promise against a flood, securing our eternal dwelling with God (as seen in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven 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

Isaiah 54:9

For this [is as] the waters of Noah unto me: for [as] I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

Genesis 8:21

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Genesis 8:22

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Genesis 7:21

¶ And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

Genesis 7:23

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.

2 Peter 3:11

¶ [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,

2 Peter 3:7

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.