So God said to NoahThis phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Noah, emphasizing the personal relationship and covenantal dialogue between the Creator and His chosen servant. Noah, a righteous man in his generation, found favor in God's eyes (
Genesis 6:8-9). This communication follows the flood narrative, where Noah and his family were preserved through the ark, symbolizing salvation and divine protection.
This is the sign of the covenant
The term "sign" refers to a visible, tangible reminder of God's promise. In biblical context, signs often serve as confirmations of divine covenants, such as circumcision with Abraham (Genesis 17:11) and the Sabbath with Israel (Exodus 31:13). The rainbow, as the sign here, represents God's mercy and faithfulness, assuring humanity that He will never again destroy the earth with a flood.
that I have established
The use of "established" indicates a firm, unbreakable commitment from God. This covenant is unilateral, meaning it is initiated and guaranteed by God alone, without conditions placed upon humanity. It reflects God's sovereign grace and His desire to maintain a relationship with His creation despite human sinfulness.
between Me and every creature on the earth
This phrase highlights the universal scope of the covenant. Unlike later covenants that are specific to Israel, this promise extends to all living creatures, emphasizing God's care for the entire creation. It underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all life and His ongoing commitment to the world He made. This covenant is a precursor to the ultimate reconciliation of creation through Christ, as seen in passages likeRomans 8:19-21, where creation awaits liberation from corruption.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
GodThe Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who establishes a covenant with Noah and all living creatures.
2.
NoahA righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth.
3.
CovenantA divine promise made by God, signified by the rainbow, ensuring that He will never again destroy all life with a flood.
4.
All Living ThingsRefers to every creature on earth, highlighting the universal scope of God's promise.
5.
The EarthThe physical realm where God's covenant is established, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation.
Teaching Points
God's FaithfulnessThe covenant with Noah is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and mercy. He keeps His promises, providing assurance and hope.
Universal ScopeGod's covenant extends to all living creatures, reminding us of His care for all creation and our responsibility to steward it wisely.
Symbolism of the RainbowThe rainbow serves as a visible reminder of God's promise, encouraging us to trust in His word and His plans for the future.
Covenantal RelationshipsUnderstanding God's covenants helps us appreciate the depth of His relationship with humanity and His desire for us to live in obedience and trust.
Hope in God's PromisesJust as God promised never to flood the earth again, we can trust His promises in our lives, finding peace and security in His word.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 9:17?
2.How does Genesis 9:17 reinforce God's covenant with Noah and all creation?
3.What significance does the rainbow hold as a reminder of God's promise?
4.How does Genesis 9:17 connect to God's faithfulness in other scriptures?
5.How can we apply the covenant promise in Genesis 9:17 to our lives?
6.In what ways does Genesis 9:17 encourage trust in God's unchanging nature?
7.How does Genesis 9:17 affirm God's covenant with humanity and all living creatures?
8.What is the significance of the rainbow as a sign in Genesis 9:17?
9.How does Genesis 9:17 relate to God's promises in other parts of the Bible?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9?
11.What is the Dispensation of Human Government?
12.What are the 'waters of Noah' in Isaiah 54:9?
13.Malachi 3:6 - If God is said to be unchanging here, how can the shifting commands and rituals throughout the Bible be explained?
14.How can one live for righteousness?What Does Genesis 9:17 Mean
So God said to Noah- The initiative is entirely God’s; He speaks first (Genesis 9:8-9).
- Noah, the one who “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8), again receives direct revelation, underscoring a personal, relational God who communicates clearly.
- Just as God had spoken commands before the flood (Genesis 6:13; 7:1) and directions after it (Genesis 8:15-17), He now speaks assurance.
- The same voice that judged the world with water now comforts it with promise (comparePsalm 29:10-11).
This is the sign- God points to something visible and objective—the rainbow previously introduced inGenesis 9:13.
- Throughout Scripture, God loves to attach physical signs to spiritual realities:
• Circumcision inGenesis 17:11.
• Passover blood inExodus 12:13.
• Sabbath observance inExodus 31:13.
- A sign is not mere symbolism; it is God-given evidence meant to reinforce faith whenever the eye sees what the ear has heard.
of the covenant- A covenant is a solemn, binding agreement initiated by God (Genesis 6:18; 9:11).
- Unlike human contracts, this divine covenant rests on God’s character alone (Psalm 89:34).
- Later covenants—Abrahamic (Genesis 17:7), Mosaic (Exodus 24:8), Davidic (2 Samuel 7:12-16), and the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34;Luke 22:20)—all follow this pattern: God establishes, God guarantees, God gives confirming signs.
that I have established- “Established” signals finality; the covenant is already in force (Genesis 9:12, 16).
- The same Hebrew verb appears inGenesis 17:19 regarding the everlasting covenant with Isaac, stressing durability.
-Psalm 105:10 reflects this fixed nature: “He confirmed it to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant.”
- The flood judgment ended, but God’s gracious commitment continues without expiration.
between Me- The covenant is personal: God Himself binds His own Name and honor (Genesis 17:4;Jeremiah 32:40).
- This phrase highlights divine involvement; no intermediary or angelic delegate administers the pledge—God does.
- Similar intimacy echoes inRevelation 21:3, “He will dwell with them, and they will be His people.”
and every creature on the earth- The reach is universal—people and animals alike (Genesis 9:10).
- God cares for all He has made; the rainbow stretches across the sky as wide as creation (Psalm 36:6;Hosea 2:18).
-Revelation 5:13 pictures every creature echoing praise, showing the ultimate fulfillment of a creation covered by God’s mercy.
summaryGenesis 9:17 crowns the rainbow episode by underscoring God’s own testimony. He personally informs Noah that the colorful arch is not random beauty but the enduring, visible proof of His unbreakable covenant never again to destroy all life by flood. The verse invites every observer—then and now—to look up after the rain, remember God’s faithfulness, and rest in a promise established by the Creator and extended to every living creature on the planet.
Verse 17. -
And God said unto Noah, Thisis the token of the covenant. Murphy thinks that God here directed the patriarch's attention to an actual rainbow; it seems more natural to conclude that from the beginning of the interview (
Genesis 8:20) the ark, altar, and worshippers were encircled by its variegated arch. Kalisch compares with the rainbow the other signs which God subsequently appended to his covenants; as, e.g., circumcision (
Genesis 17:11), the passover (
Exodus 12:13), the sabbath (
ibid. 31:13). The Noachic covenant being universal, the sign was also universal - "
τέραςμερόπων ἀνθρώπων (I1, 11:27), a sign to men of many tongues. The later covenants being limited to Israel, their signs were local and provisional, and have now been supplanted by the higher symbolism of the Christian Church, viz., baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the Christian sabbath.
Which I have established. The different verbs used in this passage in connection with
בְּרִית may be here brought together.
1.נָתַן (ver. 12) representing the covenant as a gift of Divine grace.
2.קוּס (Hiph.; vers. 9, 11, 17) exhibiting the covenant as something which God has both caused to stand and raised up when fallen.
3.זָכַר (ver. 15) depicting the covenant as always present to the Divine mind. Tuch, Stahelin, and Delitzsch detect an idiosyncrasy of the Elohist in using the first and second of these verbs instead ofכָּרַת, the favorite expression of the Jehovist. Butכָּרַת is used by the Elohist inGenesis 21:27, 32, while inDeuteronomy 4:18 the Jehovist usesהֵקִיס.Between ms and all flesh that is upon the earth. . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativesaidוַיֹּ֥אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saytoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toNoah,נֹ֑חַ(nō·aḥ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5146:Noah -- 'rest', patriarch who survived the flood“Thisזֹ֤את(zōṯ)Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063:Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,is the signאֽוֹת־(’ō·wṯ-)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 226:A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidenceof the covenantהַבְּרִית֙(hab·bə·rîṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285:A covenantthatאֲשֶׁ֣ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatI have establishedהֲקִמֹ֔תִי(hă·qi·mō·ṯî)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standbetweenבֵּינִ֕י(bê·nî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 996:An interval, space betweenMeוּבֵ֥ין(ū·ḇên)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996:An interval, space betweenand allכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyliving thingsבָּשָׂ֖ר(bā·śār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1320:Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, manonעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe earth.”הָאָֽרֶץ׃(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, land
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OT Law: Genesis 9:17 God said to Noah This (Gen. Ge Gn) 
