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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:5

Verse 5 5.And surely your blood of your lives will I require. In these words the Lord more explicitly declares that he does not forbid the use of blood out of regard to animals themselves, but because he accounts the life of men precious: and because the sole end of his law is, to promote the exercise of common humanity between them. I therefore think that Jerome, in rendering the particle אך (ach,) for, has done better than they who read it as an adversative disjunctive; ‘otherwise your blood... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:6

Verse 6 6.Whoso sheddeth man’s blood (291) The clause in man which is here added, has the force of amplification. Some expound it, ‘Before witnesses.’ Others refer it to what follows, namely, ‘that by man his blood should be shed.’ (292) But all these interpretations are forced. What I have said must be remembered, that this language rather expresses the atrociousness of the crime; because whosoever kills a man, draws down upon himself the blood and life of his brother. On the whole, they are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:7

Verse 7 7.And you, be ye fruitful and multiply. He again turns his discourse to Noah and his sons, exhorting them to the propagation of offspring: as if he would say, ‘You see that I am intent upon cherishing and preserving mankind, do you therefore also attend to it.’ At the same time, in commending to them the preservation of seed, he deters them from murder, and from unjust acts of violence. Yet his chief end was that to which I have before alluded, that he might encourage their dejected... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:8

Verse 8 8.And God spake unto Noah. That the memory of the deluge might not inspire them with new terrors, as often as the sky were covered with clouds, lest the earth should again be drowned; this source of anxiety is taken away. And certainly, if we consider the great propensity of the human mind to distrust, we shall not deem this testimony to have been unnecessary even for Noah. He was indeed endued with a rare and incomparable faith, even to a miracle; but no strength of constancy could be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:10

Verse 10 10.And with every living creature. Although the favor which the Lord promises extends also to animals, yet it is not in vain that he addresses himself only to men, who, by the sense of faith, are able to perceive this benefit. We enjoy the heaven and the air in common with the beasts, and draw the same vital breath; but it is no common privilege, that God directs his word to us; whence we may learn with what paternal love he pursues us. And here three distinct steps are to be traced.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:12

Verse 12 12.This is the token of the covenant. A sign is added to the promise, in which is exhibited the wonderful kindness of God; who, for the purpose of confirming our faith in his word, does not disdain to use such helps. And although we have more fully discussed the use of signs in Genesis 2:1, yet we must briefly maintain, from these words of Moses, that it is wrong to sever signs from the word. By the word, I mean not that of which Papists boast; whereby they enchant bread, wine, water,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:13

Verse 13 13.I do set my bow in the cloud. From these words certain eminent theologians have been induced to deny, that there was any rainbow before the deluge: which is frivolous. For the words of Moses do not signify, that a bow was then formed which did not previously exist; but that a mark was engraven upon it, which should give a sign of the divine favor towards men. That this may the more evidently appear, it will be well to recall to memory what we have elsewhere said, that some signs are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:15

Verse 15 15.And I will remember my covenant. Moses, by introducing God so often as the speaker, teaches us that the word holds the chief place, and that signs are to be estimated by it. (294) God, however, speaks after the manner of men, when he says, that at the sight of the rainbow he will remember his covenant. But this mode of speaking has reference to the faith of men, in order that they may reflect, that God, whenever he stretches out his arch over the clouds, is not unmindful of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:1-7

New arrangements for a new era. I. PROVISION FOR THE INCREASE OF THE HUMAN FAMILY . 1. The procreate instrumentality— the ordinance of marriage ( Genesis 9:1 , Genesis 9:7 ), which was - 2. The originating cause—the Divine blessing ( Genesis 9:1 , Genesis 9:7 ), without which— II. PROVISION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HUMAN FAMILY . 1. Against the world of animals . 2. Against the world of men . Ever since the fall man has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:1-7

The new life of man on the earth under a new revelation of the Divine favor. The chief points are— I. UNLIMITED POSSESSION OF THE EARTH , and use of its inhabitants and products, whether for food or otherwise; thus supplying— 1. The scope of life. 2. The enjoy-meat of life. 3. The development of life. II. Absolute RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE , and preservation of the gentler feelings (the blood being forbidden as injurious to man in this case), promoting— 1. The... read more

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