Time after Pentecost · Proper 12 · Year B
Genesis 9:8-17
God’s Covenant with Noah
July 25, 2027
Overview & Insights
“I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant.” (Genesis 9:13)
After the great deluge God gives to Noah and his sons the same blessing he gave to humans at their creation (1:28), empowering them to prosper and to replenish the earth. Further, we learn that humans continue to bear the image of God; each person possesses intrinsic value.Yet God introduces three drastic changes. First, God grants humans permission to eat meat. Second, dread of humans henceforth characterizes the way animals respond to humans. Third, God also establishes a covenant with Noah and his offspring, guaranteeing never again to destroy the earth by a flood. This covenant gives humans confidence to build communities without fearing another catastrophe of total devastation.
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on Genesis 9:8-17 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on the Noahic covenant and the rainbow sign.
Enduring Word: Genesis 9 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Genesis 9 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed study gathering many commentators on the covenant with Noah.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Genesis 9:8 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the covenant declaration.
StudyLight: Genesis 9 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Genesis 9 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Genesis Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Genesis and its context.
BibleProject: Genesis 1-11 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the primeval history including the flood and its aftermath.
Sefaria: Genesis 9 (Hebrew) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the chapter.
BibleHub: Genesis 9 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew-English interlinear for word-level study of the chapter.
Questions preachers ask
What is God's covenant with Noah?
After the flood God binds himself never again to destroy the earth by water, setting the rainbow in the cloud as the sign of his everlasting covenant with all flesh.
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