the same as נוּחַ; rest; Noach, the patriarch of the flood; Noah.
Transliteration:Nôach
Pronunciation:no'-akh
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun H5146 (Nôach) is directly derived from the root נוּחַ (nûaḥ), Strong's number `{{H5117}}`, which fundamentally means "to rest," "to settle down," "to be quiet," or "to repose." Thus, the name Nôach inherently carries the semantic weight of "rest," "comfort," or "consolation." This etymological connection is explicitly highlighted in the biblical narrative of Noah's birth. His father, Lamech, names him with the hope that "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed" [[Genesis 5:29]]. The name therefore embodies an anticipation of relief from the arduous labor and suffering brought about by the curse upon creation, pointing towards a future period of repose or alleviation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H5146 exclusively refers to the patriarch Noah, a pivotal figure in the antediluvian and post-diluvian narratives of Genesis.
1. **Naming and Prophecy ([[Genesis 5:29]]):** Noah's name is given with a prophetic hope for comfort and rest from the curse on the ground. This sets the stage for his role in bringing a new beginning to humanity after the judgment.
2. **Righteousness and God's Favor ([[Genesis 6:8-9]]):** In a world consumed by wickedness, Noah is singled out as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation," who "walked with God." His righteousness stands in stark contrast to the pervasive corruption, leading to God's decision to preserve him and his family.
3. **The Flood Narrative ([[Genesis 6-9]]):** Noah's obedience to God's command to build the ark is central. He faithfully executes God's instructions, becoming the means by which humanity and terrestrial life are preserved from the global flood. The ark itself becomes a symbol of refuge and rest from divine judgment.
4. **The Ark's Resting ([[Genesis 8:4]]):** After the flood, the ark "rested" (a form of `{{H5117}}`) on the mountains of Ararat, signifying the cessation of the judgment and the beginning of a new era. This physical rest of the ark mirrors the thematic "rest" embodied by Noah.
5. **The Noahic Covenant ([[Genesis 9:1-17]]):** Following the flood, God establishes a universal, unconditional covenant with Noah and all living creatures, promising never again to destroy the earth by flood. This covenant signifies a divine commitment to stability and order, offering a form of "rest" from the fear of future global annihilation.
6. **Post-Flood Life ([[Genesis 9:20-27]]):** Even after the flood, Noah's life demonstrates the persistence of human sinfulness (his drunkenness and the subsequent curse of Canaan), highlighting that the "rest" he brought was not a complete eradication of sin, but a new opportunity within God's ongoing plan of redemption.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root נוּחַ (`{{H5117}}`), from which Noah's name is derived. This root appears in various forms throughout the Hebrew Bible, conveying different nuances of "rest":
* **Physical Rest:** God resting on the seventh day ([[Genesis 2:2]]); the ark resting on Ararat ([[Genesis 8:4]]); the land resting during the Sabbath year ([[Leviticus 25:5]]).
* **Cessation/Quiescence:** The Spirit of the Lord resting on individuals ([[Numbers 11:25-26]]); the land having rest from war ([[Joshua 11:23]]).
* **Giving Rest/Settling:** God giving Israel rest from their enemies ([[Deuteronomy 12:10]]); causing one's spirit to rest ([[Ecclesiastes 7:9]]).
* **Comfort/Consolation:** As Lamech hoped for in naming Noah ([[Genesis 5:29]]).
Other related concepts include:
* **Deliverance/Salvation:** Noah's ark as a means of salvation from judgment.
* **Covenant:** The foundational Noahic Covenant, establishing a new relationship between God and creation.
* **New Creation/Beginning:** Noah as a "second Adam," initiating a new epoch for humanity.
* **Righteousness and Faith:** Noah's character as a "righteous man" and his obedience in building the ark, which is later cited as an act of faith ([[Hebrews 11:7]]).
### Theological Significance
The figure of Noah (H5146) holds profound theological significance:
1. **Divine Judgment and Grace:** Noah's story powerfully illustrates God's righteous judgment against sin and His sovereign grace in preserving a remnant. The flood is a testament to divine justice, while Noah's preservation underscores God's mercy and faithfulness to His creation.
2. **A New Beginning:** Noah represents a fresh start for humanity after the catastrophic judgment. He is a progenitor of a new world, akin to a "second Adam," through whom God re-establishes His covenant with humanity and all life.
3. **The Noahic Covenant:** This covenant, established with Noah, is universal in scope and unconditional in its promise, guaranteeing the stability of the natural order and demonstrating God's enduring commitment to His creation despite human sin. It serves as a foundational covenant in biblical theology, preceding and foreshadowing the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants.
4. **Type of Christ and Salvation:** In Christian theology, Noah's ark is often seen as a type or prefigurement of salvation through Christ. Just as Noah and his family were saved *through* water (judgment) into a new life, so believers are saved through baptism (symbolizing death to sin and resurrection to new life) and ultimately through Christ's atoning work. Noah himself is referred to as a "preacher of righteousness" ([[2 Peter 2:5]]).
5. **The Persistence of Sin:** Despite the radical reset of the flood, Noah's later actions (his drunkenness) reveal that the human heart's propensity to sin remains, demonstrating the need for a more fundamental and internal transformation than what a mere physical judgment can achieve. This points towards the ultimate need for divine redemption and regeneration.
### Summary
H5146 designates Noah, the patriarch whose name etymologically signifies "rest" or "comfort," reflecting his father Lamech's hope for relief from the curse on the ground. Noah is a pivotal figure in salvation history, chosen by God for his righteousness in a corrupt generation. His story encapsulates God's just judgment upon sin through the global flood, alongside His profound grace in preserving a remnant of humanity and all life through the ark. As a "second Adam," Noah ushers in a new era for creation, marked by the universal and unconditional Noahic Covenant, which guarantees the stability of the natural order. Theologically, Noah's narrative highlights themes of divine judgment and grace, new creation, covenant faithfulness, and serves as a prefigurement of salvation through Christ. While he brought a form of rest and a new beginning, his post-flood life also underscores the enduring reality of human sin, pointing to the need for a more ultimate and spiritual redemption.
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