Genesis 9:11

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.

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}.

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.โ€

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.โ€

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

Context

Genesis 9:11 marks a pivotal moment immediately following the devastating global flood, which had wiped out all living creatures on earth, save for those preserved in Noah's ark. God is speaking directly to Noah and his sons, establishing a new beginning for humanity and all life. This verse initiates the formal declaration of what is often called the Noahic Covenant, a foundational promise for the post-flood world. It sets the stage for a renewed relationship between God and creation.

Key Themes

  • The Unconditional Covenant: This covenant is a unilateral promise from God, not dependent on human performance. It demonstrates God's immense grace and His unwavering commitment to sustain creation, regardless of future human sin.
  • Assurance of Preservation: The core promise is that "all flesh" will never again be "cut off" by a global flood. This provides immense security and stability for all future generations and life on Earth, ensuring the continuation of the natural order.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The establishment of this covenant highlights God's immutable character. He makes a solemn promise and definitively declares He will keep it, providing a bedrock of trust for humanity. This faithfulness echoes through all of God's dealings, from the Abrahamic Covenant to the New Covenant in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covenant" is bฤ•rรฎt (ื‘ึฐึผืจึดื™ืช), which signifies a solemn, binding agreement or treaty. Here, it is initiated by God, making it a divine pledge of immense weight and authority. The word "establish" comes from the Hebrew verb qum (ืงื•ึผื), meaning to stand up, confirm, or make firm. It emphasizes the permanence and unwavering nature of this divine pledge, indicating that God's promise will endure and stand firm through all generations.

Practical Application

Genesis 9:11 offers profound comfort and reassurance. It reveals 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 God 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.
  • Hope Amidst Chaos: Even after widespread destruction, God offers a new beginning and a promise of stability. This encourages hope in times of personal or global upheaval, reminding us that God is sovereign and provides continuity.
  • Understanding God's Character: The Noahic Covenant beautifully illustrates God's patience and His desire for humanity to thrive, laying a foundational understanding of His subsequent covenants and His overarching plan for redemption. It demonstrates His grace that extends to all creation.

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.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 54:9 (17 votes)

    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 (11 votes)

    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 (11 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    ยถ 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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ยถ [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 (4 votes)

    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.