Genesis 9:4-7

4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
6 “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.
7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

Genesis 9:4-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 9

In this chapter we have an account of God's blessing Noah and his sons, being just come out of the ark, with a renewal of the blessing of propagating their species, and replenishing the earth, the dominion over the creatures, and a freedom from the fear of them; with liberty to eat flesh, only it must not be eaten with blood; with a providential care and preservation of their lives from men and beasts, by making a law that that man or beast should die that shed man's blood, Ge 9:1-6 and after repeating the blessing of procreation, Ge 9:7 mention is made of a covenant God made with Noah, his sons, and all the creatures, that he would drown the world no more, the token of which should be the rainbow in the cloud, Ge 9:8-17 the names of the sons of Noah are observed, by whom the earth was repeopled, Ge 9:18,19 and seem to be observed for the sake of an event after recorded; Noah having planted a vineyard, and drank too freely of the wine of it, lay down uncovered in his tent, which Ham seeing, told his two brothers of it, who in a very modest manner covered him, Ge 9:20-23 of all which Noah being sensible when he awoke, cursed Canaan the son of Ham, and blessed Shem and Japheth, Ge 9:24-27 and the chapter is concluded with the age and death of Noah, Ge 9:28,29.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Leviticus 3:17; Leviticus 7:26; Leviticus 17:10-14; Leviticus 19:26; Dt 12:16,23-25; Deuteronomy 15:23; 1 Samuel 14:33; Ezekiel 33:25; Acts 15:20,29
  • 2. Genesis 42:22; Genesis 50:15; 1 Kings 2:32; 2 Chronicles 24:22; Psalms 9:12
  • 3. Exodus 21:28-32
  • 4. Genesis 4:10
  • 5. S Genesis 4:14; Exodus 21:12,14; Leviticus 24:17; S Judges 9:24; S Matthew 26:52
  • 6. S Genesis 1:26
  • 7. S Genesis 1:22
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