Genesis 9:12-15

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:14

And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth ,.... Or "cloud a cloud" F21 בענני ענן "cum obnubilavero nubem", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Schmidt. , cause the clouds to gather thick in the heavens, and to hang over the earth ready to pour down great quantities of water; by reason of which the inhabitants might dread another flood coming upon them: wherefore, in order to dissipate such fears, it shall be so ordered: that the bow shall be seen in the cloud ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:15

And I will remember my covenant which is between me and you, and every living creature of all flesh ,.... See Genesis 9:11 . and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh ; this is repeated to remove those fears which would naturally arise, upon the gathering of the clouds in the heavens; but as God would remember his covenant, which he can never forget; and is always mindful of, so men, when they see the bow in the cloud, may be assured, that whatever waters are in... 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

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

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