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נֹחַ (no.ach)

no.ach

Noah

H5146 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 37 verses

N:N-M-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
37 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Noah, or Noach in Hebrew, means "rest." It is derived from the same root as the word for comfort and cessation of labor. Lamech named his son with this hope, expressing a desire that he would bring relief from the toil and curse placed on the ground since Adam (Genesis 5:29). The name serves as a poignant contrast to the exhausting struggle for survival that characterized the generations before him.

In Scripture, Noah is primarily known as the patriarch who built the ark to save his family from the flood waters. He appears in genealogies and historical records, such as those in Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1, establishing his lineage as the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. His role as the new head of humanity after the deluge marks a fresh beginning for the human race.

The legacy of Noah extends beyond the Genesis narrative. He is cited alongside Job and Daniel in Ezekiel 14:14, 20 as an example of exceptional righteousness. Additionally, the prophet Isaiah uses the phrase "waters of Noah" to describe God’s covenant promise that such a flood will never again destroy all life (Isaiah 54:9). This reference anchors his story in the broader theme of divine faithfulness and peace.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Noah carries a deep sense of hope. It means rest or comfort, reflecting Lamech’s desire for relief from the heavy toil placed on humanity since the beginning (Genesis 5:29). This name points to a time when labor would no longer be exhausting and cursed. It reminds us that God provides moments of peace even in a world filled with struggle.

Noah is known as a man who found favor with God and walked faithfully with Him (Genesis 6:9). His story shows that righteousness is not about perfection but about trusting God’s commands. When the flood came, Noah obeyed, and through his faithfulness, he and his family were preserved. This illustrates how divine faithfulness brings safety and a fresh start.

Later, the prophet Isaiah uses Noah’s name to describe God’s promise of peace (Isaiah 54:9). Just as the waters receded, God’s covenant ensures that His love remains steady. For believers today, this offers assurance that God remembers those who trust in Him and brings rest after seasons of trial.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 37 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Noah40×
  • to/ Noah2×
  • and/ Noah2×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • נֹ֔חַ11×
  • נֹ֖חַ7×
  • נֹ֑חַ6×
  • נֹ֛חַ5×
  • נֹ֗חַ4×
  • נֹֽחַ\׃2×
  • נֹ֥חַ2×
  • נֹ֙חַ֙2×
  • וְ/נֹ֕חַ2×
  • נֹ֕חַ1×
  • לְ/נֹ֗חַ1×
  • לְ/נֹ֔חַ1×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 5:29
    He named him Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, caused by the ground which Yahweh has cursed.”

    This verse explains the origin of the name Noah, linking it to the hope of comfort from earthly toil.

  • Genesis 6:9
    This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God.

    Here Noah is described as righteous and blameless, highlighting his unique walk with God in a corrupt generation.

  • Genesis 7:5
    Noah did everything that Yahweh commanded him.

    This occurrence emphasizes Noah’s complete obedience to God’s specific commands regarding the ark.

  • Genesis 8:1
    God remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ship; and God made a wind to pass over the earth. The waters subsided.

    The text notes that God remembered Noah, showing divine intervention in ending the flood waters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Noah mean?

The name Noah means rest or comfort. It comes from a Hebrew root that suggests relief from labor and trouble. Lamech named his son this way, hoping he would bring ease to humanity’s hard work.

Why is Noah called righteous in the Bible?

Noah is called righteous because he walked with God and remained blameless in his generation (Genesis 6:9). This righteousness was shown through his faith and obedience to God’s commands, such as building the ark.

How is Noah connected to God’s promises?

Noah’s story establishes a pattern of divine faithfulness. Isaiah 54:9 uses the phrase 'waters of Noah' to remind readers that God’s covenant promise of peace and stability remains unbroken.

Every Occurrence (37 verses across 3 books)

Genesis 35 verses
Genesis 5:29

He named him Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, caused by the ground…

Genesis 5:30

Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of other sons and…

Genesis 5:32

Noah was five hundred years old, then Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 6:8

But Noah found favor in Yahweh’s eyes.

Genesis 6:9

This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah…

Genesis 6:10

Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 6:13

God said to Noah, “I will bring an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will…

Genesis 6:22

Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him.

Genesis 7:1

Yahweh said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in…

Genesis 7:5

Noah did everything that Yahweh commanded him.

Genesis 7:6

Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth.

Genesis 7:7

Noah went into the ship with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, because of the floodwaters.

Genesis 7:9

went by pairs to Noah into the ship, male and female, as God commanded Noah.

Genesis 7:11

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the…

Genesis 7:13

In the same day Noah, and Shem, Ham, and Japheth—the sons of Noah—and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with…

Genesis 7:15

Pairs from all flesh with the breath of life in them went into the ship to Noah.

Genesis 7:23

Every living thing was destroyed that was on the surface of the ground, including man, livestock, creeping things, and…

Genesis 8:1

God remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ship; and God made a wind to pass…

Genesis 8:6

At the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ship which he had made,

Genesis 8:11

The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the…

Genesis 8:13

In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth.…

Genesis 8:15

God spoke to Noah, saying,

Genesis 8:18

Noah went out, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him.

Genesis 8:20

Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on…

Genesis 9:1

God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth.

Genesis 9:8

God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,

Genesis 9:17

God said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the…

Genesis 9:18

The sons of Noah who went out from the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham is the father of Canaan.

Genesis 9:19

These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

Genesis 9:20

Noah began to be a farmer, and planted a vineyard.

Genesis 9:24

Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done to him.

Genesis 9:28

Noah lived three hundred fifty years after the flood.

Genesis 9:29

All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died.

Genesis 10:1

Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them…

Genesis 10:32

These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from…

I Chronicles 1 verse
Isaiah 1 verse