Genesis 9:9

And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

And I, behold, I establish {H6965} my covenant {H1285} with you, and with your seed {H2233} after you {H310};

“As for me — I am herewith establishing my covenant with you, with your descendants after you,

“Behold, I now establish My covenant with you and your descendants after you,

And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

Commentary

Context

Genesis 9:9 is spoken by God to Noah and his sons immediately following the Great Flood, a cataclysmic event that cleansed the earth of its pervasive wickedness. After Noah, his family, and the animals disembarked from the ark, God blessed them and gave them instructions for repopulating the earth. This verse marks the formal declaration of a pivotal divine commitment, establishing a new relationship with humanity and all living creatures on a cleansed earth. It sets the stage for a new beginning for creation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Sovereignty: The emphatic "And I, behold, I establish my covenant" underscores that this solemn agreement originates entirely from God's will and grace. It highlights His absolute authority and proactive love in initiating a binding promise to His creation, independent of human merit or request.
  • Universality of the Covenant: The covenant is made "with you, and with your seed after you," signifying that its scope extends beyond Noah and his immediate family to encompass all future generations of humanity. This is a foundational promise for all mankind, establishing a universal principle of God's interaction with the world.
  • God's Faithfulness and Promise: This verse introduces the concept of God's unwavering commitment to His word. It's an assurance that despite the past judgment of the flood, God will maintain His order in creation and will not again destroy the earth by water. This promise lays a crucial groundwork for understanding God's enduring faithfulness throughout biblical history.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "establish" is qum (קוּם), which literally means "to rise," "to stand up," or "to confirm." In this context, it signifies God making the covenant firm, permanent, and bringing it into full effect. The term "covenant" is berith (בְּרִית), a critical theological concept in the Bible. It denotes a solemn, binding agreement or treaty, often initiated by God, carrying specific promises, responsibilities, and often, signs. This usage of berith here introduces one of the first major covenants in Scripture.

Related Scriptures

  • This covenant immediately precedes the sign of the rainbow, detailed in Genesis 9:13, which serves as a visible reminder of God's promise.
  • The specific promise that the earth would never again be destroyed by a flood is explicitly stated in Genesis 9:11.
  • This Noahic covenant is often referred to as an "everlasting covenant," a term also used for future divine agreements, such as the covenant with Abraham and the New Covenant promised through Jeremiah.
  • Earlier, God had mentioned His intention to establish a covenant with Noah for preservation in Genesis 6:18, which this verse now formally and broadly establishes for all future generations.

Practical Application

Genesis 9:9 offers profound comfort and assurance to humanity. It reveals God as a faithful, covenant-keeping God whose promises are steadfast and enduring. This initial universal covenant sets a precedent for understanding God's subsequent redemptive plans throughout history, culminating in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. It teaches us about God's steadfast love, His commitment to order, and His enduring patience with creation, providing a foundation of hope and trust for all people.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 6:18 (9 votes)

    But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

  • Isaiah 54:9 (6 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.

  • Isaiah 54:10 (6 votes)

    For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

  • Genesis 17:7 (3 votes)

    ¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

  • Genesis 17:8 (3 votes)

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • Romans 1:3 (3 votes)

    Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

  • Genesis 9:17 (3 votes)

    And God said unto Noah, This [is] the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth.