Genesis 9:13-16

13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,
15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Genesis 9:13-16 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.

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Cross References 6

  • 1. ver 14; Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 4:3; Revelation 10:1
  • 2. S ver 13
  • 3. S Genesis 8:1; Exodus 2:24; Exodus 6:5; Exodus 34:10; Leviticus 26:42,45; Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalms 89:34; Psalms 103:18; Psalms 105:8; Psalms 106:45; Ezekiel 16:60
  • 4. S Genesis 8:21
  • 5. ver 13
  • 6. S ver 11; Ge 17:7,13,19; 2 Samuel 7:13; 2 Samuel 23:5; Psalms 105:9-10; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 55:3; Isaiah 59:21; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 33:21; Ezekiel 16:60; Ezekiel 37:26; S Hebrews 13:20
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