of Hebrew origin (נֹחַ); Noë, (i.e. Noäch), a patriarch:--Noe.
Transliteration:Nōe
Pronunciation:no'-eh
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word Νῶε (Nōe, `{{G3575}}`) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name נֹחַ (Noach, `{{H5146}}`). The Hebrew root from which the name derives, נוּחַ (nuach), carries the primary meaning of "rest," "repose," "comfort," or "settle down." Thus, the name Noah inherently conveys the idea of "rest" or "comfort." As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to the specific individual it designates: the patriarch Noah, son of Lamech and father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The figure of Noah is central to the biblical narrative, particularly in the Old Testament, with significant theological implications drawn in the New Testament.
In the Old Testament, the primary account of Noah is found in [[Genesis 6-9]]. He is introduced as a righteous man, blameless among his generation, who walked with God ([[Genesis 6:9]]). In an age of pervasive wickedness, Noah "found favor in the eyes of the Lord" ([[Genesis 6:8]]). God chose Noah and his family to be preserved from a global flood, instructing him to build an ark according to precise specifications. Noah's unwavering obedience to these divine commands is a hallmark of his character. After the flood, God established a universal covenant with Noah and all living creatures, promising never again to destroy all life by a flood, with the rainbow serving as the sign of this covenant ([[Genesis 9:8-17]]). The post-flood narrative also includes the incident of Noah's vineyard and the curse upon Canaan through Ham ([[Genesis 9:20-27]]), which has been subject to various interpretations.
In the New Testament, Noah is referenced in several key passages:
* He appears in the genealogies of Jesus, affirming his historical existence ([[Matthew 1:12]], [[Luke 3:36]]).
* Jesus Himself refers to "the days of Noah" as a powerful illustration of the suddenness and unexpected nature of His second coming, emphasizing the world's unpreparedness for divine judgment ([[Matthew 24:37-38]], [[Luke 17:26-27]]).
* The author of Hebrews includes Noah in the "hall of faith," commending him for building the ark "by faith when warned about things not yet seen," thereby condemning the world and becoming "heir of the righteousness that comes by faith" ([[Hebrews 11:7]]). This highlights Noah's active, obedient faith.
* Peter draws parallels between the salvation of Noah and his family through water in the ark and Christian baptism, seeing the former as a type of the latter ([[1 Peter 3:20]]).
* Peter also identifies Noah as a "preacher of righteousness," implying that Noah's life and actions, particularly the building of the ark, served as a testimony and warning to the ungodly world ([[2 Peter 2:5]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
* **נֹחַ (Noach, `{{H5146}}`):** The Hebrew original of the name, meaning "rest" or "comfort," reflecting the hope his parents had for him in a cursed world ([[Genesis 5:29]]).
* **The Flood:** The catastrophic event central to Noah's narrative, symbolizing divine judgment against sin and the preservation of a righteous remnant.
* **Covenant:** The Noachic Covenant ([[Genesis 9:8-17]]) is the first universal covenant in Scripture, establishing God's faithfulness to His creation and promising stability.
* **Righteousness by Faith:** Noah's obedience in building the ark is presented as a prime example of faith leading to righteousness, a foundational concept in biblical theology ([[Hebrews 11:7]]).
* **Judgment and Salvation:** The story of Noah encapsulates the dual themes of God's righteous judgment on sin and His gracious provision for salvation.
* **Typology:** Noah and the ark are often seen as a type of Christ and the Church, or of salvation through baptism, illustrating God's redemptive plan.
### Theological Significance
The biblical figure of Noah, represented by Νῶε (Nōe, `{{G3575}}`), carries profound theological significance:
1. **Divine Judgment and Grace:** Noah's story powerfully demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous judgment against human wickedness. Simultaneously, it highlights God's unmerited grace, as Noah "found favor in the eyes of the Lord" ([[Genesis 6:8]]), leading to the preservation of humanity.
2. **Faith and Obedience:** Noah stands as an enduring exemplar of faith. His obedience to God's seemingly impossible command to build an ark, despite no prior rain or flood, showcases a faith that trusts and acts upon divine revelation ([[Hebrews 11:7]]). His life testifies that true faith is always active and obedient.
3. **Covenant Faithfulness:** The Noachic Covenant, established after the flood, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His commitment to the created order. This covenant, marked by the rainbow, serves as a universal assurance of God's preserving hand.
4. **Preacher of Righteousness:** Noah's life and actions, particularly his persistent ark-building for decades, implicitly served as a powerful warning and call to repentance for a world lost in sin. He was, in essence, a "preacher of righteousness" ([[2 Peter 2:5]]), demonstrating God's long-suffering before judgment.
5. **Eschatological Foreshadowing:** Jesus's use of the "days of Noah" as a parallel to His second coming provides a crucial eschatological warning. It emphasizes the suddenness and unexpected nature of divine judgment and the critical need for spiritual vigilance and preparedness in the last days ([[Matthew 24:37-39]]).
### Summary
Νῶε (Nōe, `{{G3575}}`) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Noach (נֹחַ, `{{H5146}}`), meaning "rest" or "comfort." He is a central figure in biblical history, primarily known for his role in the Genesis Flood narrative. Noah is depicted as a righteous man who found favor with God, was chosen to preserve humanity and animal life through the ark, and with whom God established the first universal covenant, marked by the rainbow. In the New Testament, Noah is celebrated as an exemplar of faith and obedience ([[Hebrews 11:7]]), recognized as a "preacher of righteousness" ([[2 Peter 2:5}}), and invoked by Jesus as a prophetic type for the unexpected nature of His second coming and final judgment ([[Matthew 24:37]]). His story profoundly illustrates themes of divine judgment and grace, the transformative power of faith and obedience, and God's enduring covenant faithfulness to His creation and His redemptive plan.
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