Genesis 9:11-16

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 9:8-17

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 9:11

And I will establish my covenant with you . Not form it for the first time, as if no such covenant had existed in antediluvian times (Knobel); but cause it to stand or permanently establish it, so that it shall no more be-in danger of being overthrown, as it recently has been. The word "my" points to a covenant already in existence, though not formally mentioned until the time of Noah ( Genesis 6:18 ). The promise of the woman's seed, which formed the substance of the covenant during the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:12

And God said, This is the token — אוֹת ( vide Genesis 1:14 ; Genesis 4:15 )— of the covenant which I make —literally, am giving (cf. Genesis 17:2 )— between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations . Le'doroth ( vide Genesis 6:9 ); 'olam (from 'alam , to hide, to conceal), pr. that which is hidden ; hence, specially, time of which either the beginning or the end is uncertain or undefined, the duration being usually... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:13

I do set . Literally, I have given, or placed, an indication that the atmospheric phenomenon referred to had already frequently appeared (Syriac, Arabic, Aben Ezra, Chrysostom, Calvin, Willet, Murphy, Wordsworth, Kalisch, Lange). The contrary opinion has been maintained that it now for the first time appeared (Bush, Keil, Delitzsch), or at least that the historian thought so (Knobel); but unless there had been no rain, or the laws of light and the atmospheric conditions of the earth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:13

The bow in the cloud, with deep joy and yet with awe must Noah have looked around him on leaving the ark. On every side signs of the mighty destruction; the earth scarcely dried, and the busy throng of men ( Luke 17:27 ) all gone. Yet signs of new life; the earth putting forth verdure, as though preparing for a new and happier chapter of history. His first recorded act was sacrifice—an acknowledgment that his preserved life was God's gift, a new profession of faith in him. Then God gave... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:14

And it shall come to pan, when I bring a cloud over the earth. Literally, in my clouding a cloud, i.e. gathering clouds, which naturally signify store of rain ( 1 Kings 18:44 , 1 Kings 18:45 ). Clouds are often used to denote afflictions and dangers (cf. Ezekiel 30:3 , Ezekiel 30:18 ; Ezekiel 32:7 ; Ezekiel 34:12 ; Joel 2:2 ). That the bow shall be seen in the cloud . Literally, and the bow is seen, which it always is when the sun's rays fall upon it, if the spectator's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:15

And I will remember (cf. Genesis 8:1 ). An anthropomorphism introduced to remind man that God is ever faithful to his covenant engagements (Calvin). " God is said to remember, because he maketh us to know and to remember" (Chrysostom). My covenant ( vide on Genesis 9:11 ), which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood— hayah with le— to become (cf. Genesis 2:7 ); literally, shall no more be ( i.e. grow)... 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

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