Genesis 9:4-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 9:1-7

In general, God blessed Noah and his sons (Gen. 9:1), that is, he assured them of his good-will to them and his gracious intentions concerning them. This follows from what he said in his heart. Note, All God's promises of good flow from his purposes of love and the counsels of his own will. See Eph. 1:11; 3:11. and compare Jer. 29:11. I know the thoughts that I think towards you. We read (Gen. 8:20) how Noah blessed God, by his altar and sacrifice. Now here we find God blessing Noah. Note, God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:4

But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall you not eat. This is the only exception to the eating of flesh; it was not to be eaten with the blood in it, which is said to be its life; not that the blood is of itself the life, but because it is a means of life, and that being exhausted, the creature must die, and because the animal and vital spirits appear to us most vigorous in it; yea, it is the ailment and support of them, and which furnishes out the greatest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:5

And surely your blood of your lives will I require ,.... Or "for surely your blood", &c.; F15 και γαρ , Sept. "enim", V. L. ; and so is a reason of the preceding law, to teach men not to shed human blood; or though, "surely your blood", as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; though God had given them liberty to slay the creatures, and shed their blood, and eat them, yet he did not allow them to shed their own blood, or the blood of their fellow creatures; should they do this, he would surely... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 9:6

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed ,.... That is, he that is guilty of wilful murder shall surely be put to death by the order of the civil magistrate; so the Targum of Jonathan,"by witnesses the judges shall condemn him to death,'that is, the fact being clearly proved by witnesses, the judges shall condemn"him to death,'that is, the fact being clearly proved by witnesses, the judges shall pass the sentence of death upon him, and execute it; for this is but the law of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:4

But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood - Though animal food was granted, yet the blood was most solemnly forbidden, because it was the life of the beast, and this life was to be offered to God as an atonement for sin. Hence the blood was ever held sacred, because it was the grand instrument of expiation, and because it was typical of that blood by which we enter into the holiest. 1. Before the deluge it was not eaten, because animal food was not in use. 2. After the deluge it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:5

Surely your blood - will I require; at the hand of every beast - This is very obscure, but if taken literally it seems to be an awful warning against cruelty to the brute creation; and from it we may conclude that horse-racers, hare-hunters, bull-baiters, and cock-fighters shall be obliged to give an account to God for every creature they have wantonly destroyed. Instead of חיה chaiyah , "beast," the Samaritan reads Yod Kaph chai , "living," any "living creature or person;" this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:6

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood - Hence it appears that whoever kills a man, unless unwittingly, as the Scripture expresses it, shall forfeit his own life. A man is accused of the crime of murder; of this crime he is guilty or he is not: if he be guilty of murder he should die; if not, let him be punished according to the demerit of his crime; but for no offense but murder should he lose his life. Taking away the life of another is the highest offense that can be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:4

Verse 4 4.But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof Some thus explain this passages ‘Ye may not eat a member cut off from a living animal,’ which is too trifling. However, since there is no copulative conjunction between the two words, blood and life, I do not doubt that Moses, speaking of the life, added the word blood exegetically, (288) as if he would say, that flesh is in some sense devoured with its life, when it is eaten imbued with its own blood. Wherefore, the life and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:5

Verse 5 5.And surely your blood of your lives will I require. In these words the Lord more explicitly declares that he does not forbid the use of blood out of regard to animals themselves, but because he accounts the life of men precious: and because the sole end of his law is, to promote the exercise of common humanity between them. I therefore think that Jerome, in rendering the particle אך (ach,) for, has done better than they who read it as an adversative disjunctive; ‘otherwise your blood... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 9:6

Verse 6 6.Whoso sheddeth man’s blood (291) The clause in man which is here added, has the force of amplification. Some expound it, ‘Before witnesses.’ Others refer it to what follows, namely, ‘that by man his blood should be shed.’ (292) But all these interpretations are forced. What I have said must be remembered, that this language rather expresses the atrociousness of the crime; because whosoever kills a man, draws down upon himself the blood and life of his brother. On the whole, they are... read more

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