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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 9:12-17

Articles of agreement among men are usually sealed, that the covenants may be the more solemn, and the performances of the covenants the more sure, to mutual satisfaction. God therefore, being willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his councils, has confirmed his covenant by a seal (Heb. 6:17), which makes the foundations we build on stand sure, 2 Tim. 2:19. The seal of this covenant of nature was natural enough; it was the rainbow, which, it is likely, was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:16

And the bow shall be in the cloud ,.... Not whenever there is a cloud, but at some certain times, when that and the sun are in a proper position to form one, and when divine wisdom sees right there should be one; then it appears and continues for a time, and as the cloud becomes thinner and thinner, it disappears: and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth ; not that forgetfulness, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:17

And God said to Noah, this is the token of the covenant ,.... Which is repeated for the greater confirmation and certainty of it, since the fears of men would be apt to run very high, especially while the flood was fresh in memory: which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth : see Genesis 9:9 , it is highly probable, that from the rainbow being the token of the covenant between God and Noah, and the creatures, sprung the fable of the Chinese concerning... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:17

This is the token - אות oth , The Divine sign or portent: The bow shall be in the cloud. For the reasons above specified it must be there, when the circumstances already mentioned occur; if therefore it cannot fail because of the reasons before assigned, no more shall my promise; and the bow shall be the proof of its perpetuity. Both the Greeks and Latins, as well as the Hebrews, have ever considered the rainbow as a Divine token or portent; and both of these nations have even deified... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:8-17

The new Noachic covenant established. I. It is a COVENANT OF LIFE . It embraces all the posterity of Noah, i.e. it is— 1. The new foundation on which humanity rests. 2. It passes through man to all flesh, to all living creatures. 3. The sign of it, the rainbow in the cloud, is also the emblem of the salvation which may be said to be typified in the deliverance of Noah and his family. 4. The background is the same element wherewith the world was destroyed,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:16

And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant. Literally, the covenant of eternity . One of those pregnant Scripture sayings that have in them an almost inexhaustible fullness of meaning, which does not at first sight dis. close itself to the eye of the unreflecting reader. In so far as the Noachic covenant was simply a promise that there should be no recurrence of a flood, the covenant of eternity had a corresponding limit in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:16

The covenant renewed. I. THE AUTHOR OF THE COVENANT . God. This is evident from the nature of the case. In ordinary language a covenant signifies "a mutual contract between two (or more) parties"; cf. Genesis 21:27 (Abraham and Abimelech); Joshua 24:25 (Joshua and Israel); 1 Samuel 18:3 (Jonathan and David); 1 Kings 20:34 (Ahab and Benhadad);' com prehending a promise made by the one to the other, accompanied with a condition, upon the performance of which the accepter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:17

And God said unto Noah, This is 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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 9:8-17

- XXIX. The Covenant with Noah13. קשׁת qeshet, “bow; related: be bent.”14. ענן ‛ānan, “cover, cast over; noun: cloud.”The covenant made with Noah Genesis 6:18 is now formally confirmed. The purpose conceived in the heart Genesis 8:21 now receives significant expression. Not only a new blessing is bestowed, but also a new covenant is formed with Noah. For he that has offered an acceptable sacrifice is not only at peace with God, but renewed in mind after the image of God. He is therefore a fit... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:8-17

God’s covenant with Noah (9:8-17)A covenant was an agreement between two parties that carried with it obligations and possibly benefits or punishments, depending on whether a person kept or broke the covenant. Covenants to which God was a party, however, differed from covenants between people in that they were not agreements between equals. God was always the giver and the other person the receiver. The covenant promises originated in the grace of God and were guaranteed solely by him.Earlier... read more

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