Genesis 9:12-13 NIV

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 9:12

And God said, this is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you ,.... Meaning the bow in the cloud, and which might be formed in the cloud at this time, that Noah might see it, and know it when he saw it again, and seems to be pointed unto: "this is the token"; or sign of the covenant made between God and Noah, and his sons: and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations ; which more clearly shows and proves, that this covenant reaches to all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:13

I do set my bow in the cloud ,.... Or "I have given", or "have set it" F16 נתתי "dedi", Montanus; so Ainsworth; "posui", Pisator, Drusius, Buxtorf. ; which seems as if it was at that instant set; this is the same we call the "rainbow": and so Horace F17 De Arte Poetica, ver. 18. calls it "arcus pluvius": it is called a "bow", because of its form, being a semicircle, and a "rainbow", because it is seen in a day of rain, and is a sign of it, or of its being quickly over, Ezekiel... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:13

I do set my bow in the cloud - On the origin and nature of the rainbow there had been a great variety of conjectures, till Anthony de Dominis, bishop of Spalatro, in a treatise of his published by Bartholus in 1611, partly suggested the true cause of this phenomenon, which was afterwards fully explained and demonstrated by Sir Isaac Newton. To enter into this subject here in detail would be improper; and therefore the less informed reader must have recourse to treatises on Optics for its... 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

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 9:12

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:13

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:8-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 9:13

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