Genesis 8:20-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 8:20-22

Here is, I. Noah's thankful acknowledgment of God's favour to him, in completing the mercy of his deliverance, Gen. 8:20. 1. He built an altar. Hitherto he had done nothing without particular instructions and commands from God. He had a particular call into the ark, and another out of it; but, altars and sacrifices being already of divine institution for religious worship, he did not stay for a particular command thus to express his thankfulness. Those that have received mercy from God should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 8:20

And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ,.... Not an house for himself and his family, but an altar for God; his first and greatest concern being for the glory of God, and not for the temporal good of himself and his: this altar was erected, and devoted to the service of God; it was built according to his will, and by his direction: Noah's view was to renew the worship of God, preserve and propagate it by his example; and this was done by way of thanksgiving to God for his wonderful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 8:21

And the Lord smelled a sweet savour ,.... Or a "savour of rest" F5 ריח הניחח "odorem quietis", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, &c.; ; he was delighted and well pleased with his sacrifice, which was offered up in the faith of the sacrifice of Christ; the apostle says, "is for a sweetsmelling savour", Ephesians 5:2 referring to this passage; that being a satisfaction to the justice of God, an appeasing of his wrath, and a propitiation for the sins of men: and the Lord said in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:20

Noah builded an altar - As we have already seen that Adam, Cain, and Abel, offered sacrifices, there can be no doubt that they had altars on which they offered them; but this, builded by Noah, is certainly the first on record. It is worthy of remark that, as the old world began with sacrifice, so also did the new. Religion or the proper mode of worshipping the Divine Being, is the invention or institution of God himself; and sacrifice, in the act and design, is the essence of religion.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:21

The Lord smelled a sweet savor - That is, he was well pleased with this religious act, performed in obedience to his own appointment, and in faith of the promised Savior. That this sacrifice prefigured that which was offered by our blessed Redeemer in behalf of the world, is sufficiently evident from the words of St. Paul, Ephesians 5:2 ; : Christ hath loved us, and given himself for its an offering and a sacrifice to God for a Sweet-Smelling Savor; where the words οσμην ευωδιας of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:20

Verse 20 20.And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord. As Noah had given many proofs of his obedience, so he now presents an example of gratitude. This passage teaches us that sacrifices were instituted from the beginning for this end, that men should habituate themselves, by such exercises, to celebrate the goodness of God, and to give him thanks. The bare confession of the tongue, yea, even the silent acknowledgment of the heart, might suffice for God; but we know how many stimulants our... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:21

Verse 21 21.And the Lord smelled a sweet savor (282) Moses calls that by which God was appeased, an odour of rest; as if he had said, the sacrifice had been rightly offered. Yet nothing can be more absurd than to suppose that God should have been appeased by the filthy smoke of entrails, and of flesh. But Moses here, according to his manner, invests God with a human character for the purpose of accommodating himself to the capacity of an ignorant people. For it is not even to be supposed, that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:15-22

The saint and the Savior. I. THE SAVIOR 'S INJUNCTION TO THE SAINT ( Genesis 8:15 ). The command which God addressed to Noah and the other inmates of the ark to go forth and take possession of the renovated earth may be regarded as emblematic of that Divine instruction which shall yet be given to the saints to go forth and take possession of the now heavens and the new earth, when the great gospel ship of the Christian Church, now floating on the troubled sea of life, shall have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:20

And Noah builded an altar . Mizbeach, a place for slaying sacrifices, from zabach, to slaughter animals ( Genesis 31:54 ), to slay in sacrifice (Le Genesis 9:4 ; 1 Samuel 1:4 ), as θυσιαστη ì ριον , from θυ ì ειν , is the first altar mentioned in history. The English term (from altus , high) signifies a high place, because the altar was commonly a raised structure or mound of earth or stones ( Exodus 20:24 ). Keil thinks that altars were not required prior to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:20-22

The sanctification of the earth. The sweet savor of man's burnt offerings— I. RELIGIOUS LIFE IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD when it is II. UNION and COMMUNION between God and man is the foundation on which all earthly happiness and security rest. III. The FORBEARANCE AND MERCY OF GOD in his relation to those whose hearts are yet full of evil is at once probation and grace. The ground is not cursed any more for man's sake, but, the more evidently, that which falls upon... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 8:20-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 8:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 8:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:20-22

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