1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
4 But flesh with the life thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
10 And with every living creature that [is] with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
12 And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations:
13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15 And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth.
17 And God said unto Noah, This [is] the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that [is] upon the earth.
18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham [is] the father of Canaan.
19 These [are] the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
20 And Noah began [to be] an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid [it] upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces [were] backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
25 And he said, Cursed [be] Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26 And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 9
Genesis Chapter 9 follows the account of the Great Flood and God’s covenant with Noah. This chapter is significant as it establishes the relationship between God and humanity post-flood, introducing key themes of blessing, covenant, and moral responsibility.
Key Themes
- Covenant: The chapter emphasizes God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood.
- Human Responsibility: It outlines the moral and ethical responsibilities of humanity, particularly regarding the sanctity of life.
- Divine Blessing: God blesses Noah and his sons, commanding them to be fruitful and multiply.
Structure of the Chapter
- God’s Command to Noah (Verses 1-7):
God blesses Noah and his sons, commanding them to be fruitful and multiply. He grants them dominion over the earth and all living creatures. The chapter introduces the concept of dietary laws, permitting the consumption of meat but prohibiting the consumption of blood, emphasizing the sanctity of life.
- The Covenant of the Rainbow (Verses 8-17):
God establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again. The rainbow is presented as a sign of this everlasting covenant, serving as a reminder of God’s promise to humanity.
- Noah’s Drunkenness and Its Consequences (Verses 18-27):
The chapter recounts an incident involving Noah’s drunkenness and the actions of his sons, Ham, Shem, and Japheth. Ham’s disrespectful behavior leads to a curse on his son Canaan, while Shem and Japheth are blessed for their respectful actions towards their father.
- Noah’s Death (Verses 28-29):
The chapter concludes with a brief note on Noah’s lifespan and his death, marking the end of his story in the context of the flood narrative.
Analysis of Key Verses
Verses 1-3: God’s Command and Human Dominion
These verses establish a new order for humanity, emphasizing the importance of procreation and stewardship over creation. The permission to eat meat signifies a shift in the human diet and reflects the changing relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Verses 4-6: Prohibition of Blood
The prohibition against consuming blood underscores the belief in the sanctity of life. This commandment highlights the seriousness with which God regards life and the moral implications of taking a life.
Verses 8-11: The Covenant with Noah
This passage marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as God establishes a covenant that signifies hope and assurance for humanity. The promise of no future floods serves to restore faith in God’s mercy and justice.
Verses 12-17: The Sign of the Rainbow
The rainbow as a sign of the covenant is rich in symbolism, representing God’s faithfulness and the beauty of creation. It serves as a reminder of God’s mercy and the promise of preservation for all living beings.
Verses 18-27: The Incident of Noah’s Drunkenness
This narrative introduces complex themes of honor and shame within familial relationships. Ham’s actions and the resulting curse on Canaan raise questions about morality, respect, and the consequences of one’s actions. The contrasting responses of Shem and Japheth highlight the values of respect and dignity.
Verses 28-29: The Conclusion of Noah’s Story
Noah’s death signifies the end of an era, transitioning from the flood narrative to the unfolding story of humanity. His long life and legacy serve as a bridge to the next generations.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 9 is a foundational text that addresses themes of covenant, morality, and human responsibility. It reflects God’s enduring relationship with humanity and sets the stage for future narratives in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct and the sanctity of life.
