Genesis 9
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
God blessed Noah - Even the increase of families, which appears to depend on merely natural means, and sometimes fortuitous circumstances, is all of God. It is by his power and wisdom that the human being is formed, and it is by his providence alone that man is supported and preserved.
Open source ↗COVENANT. (Gen 9:1-7) And God blessed Noah--Here is republished the law of nature that was announced to Adam, consisting as it originally did of several parts. Be fruitful, &c.--The first part relates to the transmission of life, the original blessing being reannounced in the very same words in which it had been promised at first [Gen 1:28].
Open source ↗And God blessed Noah and his sons,.... With temporal blessings, not spiritual ones; for though some of them were blessed with such, yet not all, particularly Ham: and said unto them, be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth; depopulated by the flood: this is a renewal of the blessing on Adam, a power and faculty of propagating his species, which was as necessary now as then, since there were so few of the human race left in the world; and the renewal of this grant was the rather necessary, if, as has been observed, Noah and his sons were restrained from cohabiting with their wives while in the ark: but though these words are not an express command for the propagation of their species, yet more than a bare permission, at least they are a direction and instruction to it, and even carry in them a promise of fruitfulness, that they should multiply and increase, which was very needful at this time.
Open source ↗These divine purposes of peace, which were communicated to Noah while sacrificing, were solemnly confirmed by the renewal of the blessing pronounced at the creation and the establishment of a covenant through a visible sign, which would be a pledge for all time that there should never be a flood again. In the words by which the first blessing was transferred to Noah and his sons (Gen 9:2), the supremacy granted to man over the animal world was expressed still more forcibly than in Gen 1:26 and Gen 1:28; because, inasmuch as sin with its consequences had loosened the bond of voluntary subjection on the part of the animals to the will of man-man, on the one hand, having lost the power of the spirit over nature, and nature, on the other hand, having become estranged from man, or rather having rebelled against him, through the curse pronounced upon the earth-henceforth it was only by force that he could rule over it, by that "fear and dread" which God instilled into the animal creation. Whilst the animals were thus placed in the hand (power) of man, permission was also given to him to slaughter them for food, the eating of the blood being the only thing forbidden.
Open source ↗We read, in the close of the foregoing chapter, the very kind things which God said in his heart, concerning the remnant of mankind which was now left to be the seed of a new world. Now here we have these kind things spoken to them. In general, God blessed Noah and his sons (Gen 9:1), that is, he assured them of his good-will to them and his gracious intentions concerning them. This follows from what he said in his heart. Note, All God's promises of good flow from his purposes of love and the counsels of his own will. See Eph 1:11, Eph 3:11, and compare Jer 29:11. I know the thoughts that I think towards you. We read (Gen 8:20) how Noah blessed God, by his altar and sacrifice. Now here we find God blessing Noah. Note, God will graciously bless (that is, do well for) those who sincerely bless (that is, speak well of) him. Those that are truly thankful for the mercies they have received take the readiest way to have them confirmed and continued to them. Now here we have the Magna Charta - the great charter of this new kingdom of nature which was now to be erected, and incorporated, the former charter having been forfeited and seized. I. The grants of this charter are kind and gracious to men. Here is, 1. A grant of lands of vast extent, and a promise of a great increase of men to occupy and enjoy them,. The first blessing is here renewed: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth (Gen 9:1), and repeated (Gen 9:7), for the race of mankind was, as it were, to begin again. Now, (1.) God sets the whole earth before them, tells them it is all their own, while it remains, to them and their heirs. Note, The earth God has given to the children of men, for a possession and habitation, Psa 115:16. Though it is not a paradise, but a wilderness rather; yet it is better than…
Open source ↗9:1-7 God’s first post-flood speech opens and closes with blessing (9:1, 7). In it, human and animal relationships are again defined, with some modification of the original created order. The sanctity of life is given special focus. 9:1 Be fruitful and multiply: The blessing and mandate first given to Adam (1:28) are now reissued to Noah, the “Adam” of the newly cleansed world in need of repopulation.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… נֹחַ (Nôach, H5146) — Noach, the patriarch of the flood בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — to bear fruit (literally or figuratively) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗מוֹרָא (môwrâʼ, H4172) — fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed חַת (chath, H2844) — concretely, crushed; also afraid; abstractly, terror חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… רָמַשׂ (râmas, H7430) — properly, to glide swiftly, i.e. to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) דָּג (dâg, H1709) — a fish (often used collectively) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗רֶמֶשׂ (remes, H7431) — a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אׇכְלָה (ʼoklâh, H402) — food יֶרֶק (yereq, H3418) — properly, pallor, i.e. hence, the yellowish green of young and sickly vegetation;… עֶשֶׂב (ʻeseb, H6212) — grass (or any tender shoot) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗אַךְ (ʼak, H389) — a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אַךְ (ʼak, H389) — a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… צֶלֶם (tselem, H6754) — a phantom, i.e. (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — to bear fruit (literally or figuratively) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) שָׁרַץ (shârats, H8317) — to wriggle, i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נֹחַ (Nôach, H5146) — Noach, the patriarch of the flood בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… תֵּבָה (têbâh, H8392) — a box
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen מַבּוּל (mabbûwl, H3999) — a deluge שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) אֲנִי (ʼănîy, H589) — I נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קֶשֶׁת (qesheth, H7198) — a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris עָנָן (ʻânân, H6051) — a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗עָנַן (ʻânan, H6049) — figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. practise magic עָנָן (ʻânân, H6051) — a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) קֶשֶׁת (qesheth, H7198) — a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
But as for you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out across the earth and multiply upon it.”
Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.”
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.
All these are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their generations and nations. From these the nations of the earth spread out after the flood.
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.
These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated.
Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.