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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 9:13

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 9:13

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 9:13

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 9:13

Genesis 9:13. I set my bow in the clouds The rainbow, it is likely, was seen in the clouds before, but was never a seal of the covenant till now. Now, observe, 1st, This seal is affixed with repeated assurances of the truth of that promise, which it was designed to be the ratification of; I do set my bow in the cloud, Genesis 9:13. It shall be seen in the cloud, Genesis 9:14, and it shall be a token of the covenant, Genesis 9:12-13. And I will remember my covenant, that the waters... 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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