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Genesis 8:21

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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.

And the LORD {H3068} smelled {H7306} a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381}; and the LORD {H3068} said {H559} in {H413} his heart {H3820}, I will not again {H3254} curse {H7043} the ground {H127} any more for man's {H120} sake {H5668}; for the imagination {H3336} of man's {H120} heart {H3820} is evil {H7451} from his youth {H5271}; neither will I again {H3254} smite {H5221} any more every thing living {H2416}, as I have done {H6213}.

Adonai smelled the sweet aroma, and Adonai said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, since the imaginings of a person’s heart are evil from his youth; nor will I ever again destroy all living things, as I have done.

When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.

And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake, for that the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.

Commentary

Genesis 8:21 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative following the devastating global flood. After Noah and his family disembarked from the ark, Noah built an altar and offered burnt offerings to the LORD. This verse records God's compassionate response to that act of worship.

Context

This verse immediately follows Noah's sacrifice to the LORD, the first act of worship recorded after the flood. The world had just been cleansed by water, yet humanity's inherent nature remained. God's declaration here sets the stage for the covenant He makes with Noah and all creation in the subsequent chapter, signaling a new era for life on Earth after the judgment of the flood.

Key Themes

  • Divine Acceptance and Grace: The phrase "the LORD smelled a sweet savour" (KJV) indicates God's acceptance and pleasure in Noah's offering. This act of worship, born of gratitude and reverence, moved God to make a profound promise of mercy. This concept of an acceptable offering foreshadows later sacrifices in the Old Testament and ultimately, the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
  • Human Sinfulness Acknowledged: Strikingly, God's promise not to curse the ground again is given despite His recognition of humanity's persistent sinfulness: "for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth." This reveals a deep theological truth that even after a catastrophic judgment, the core problem of human sin remains. It highlights the need for God's enduring grace rather than repeated judgment based solely on human merit. This innate bent towards evil is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 17:9.
  • God's Unilateral Promise (Covenant Foundation): This verse lays the groundwork for the Noahic Covenant, a unilateral promise from God never to destroy all living creatures by a flood again. It's a commitment based on His character and grace, not on humanity's ability to be righteous. This promise brings stability and continuity to creation, demonstrating God's patience and long-suffering. The full details of this covenant are elaborated in Genesis 9:11.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Sweet Savour" (Hebrew: reah nichoach): This Hebrew phrase literally means "a pleasing aroma" or "a soothing odor." It's a common expression in the Old Testament to describe sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God, signifying His approval and delight.
  • "Imagination" (Hebrew: yetzer): This word refers to the "formation," "inclination," or "bent" of the heart. It suggests not just individual evil acts but the inherent disposition or fundamental tendency of human will and thought from an early age. It points to a deep-seated corruption of human nature.
  • "Evil" (Hebrew: ra): A broad term encompassing moral wickedness, harm, distress, or calamity. Here, it refers to the moral depravity of human intentions and desires.

Practical Application

Genesis 8:21 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • It underscores the depth of human sinfulness, reminding us that evil originates not just in actions but in the very core of our being. This understanding paves the way for appreciating the necessity of divine grace and God's redemptive plan through Christ.
  • It reveals God's enduring patience and mercy. Despite knowing the persistent sinfulness of humanity, God chooses a path of preservation and covenant, demonstrating His faithfulness even when humanity is faithless.
  • It highlights the significance of worship and sacrifice. Noah's offering, though simple, was acceptable to God and initiated a new phase of relationship between Creator and creation, showing how our acts of devotion can be pleasing to Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 2:15 (17 votes)

    For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

  • Ephesians 5:2 (12 votes)

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

  • Jeremiah 17:9 (12 votes)

    The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

  • Isaiah 54:9 (11 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 (11 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 6:5 (10 votes)

    And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.

  • Philippians 4:18 (8 votes)

    But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.