Genesis 9:17 · Bible study
Genesis 9:17 Commentary: The Rainbow
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine why God reiterates the covenant sign to Noah and the significance of the rainbow as a token of an everlasting covenant with all flesh.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God confirms His promise never to destroy the earth by flood again, using the rainbow as the visible sign.
- Key words: token/sign (אוֹת, oth), covenant (ברית, berith), established (הקימתי), all flesh (כל בשר).
- Main debate: Whether the rainbow appeared for the first time after the flood (Keil & Delitzsch) or was a pre-existing phenomenon now given new significance (majority of commentators).
- Theological theme: God’s covenant faithfulness and mercy after judgment; the sanctity of life; the extension of covenant to all creation.
- Best use: Preaching on the assurance of God’s promises; God’s grace in nature; the reliability of divine pledges.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between Me and every creature on the earth.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
God said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And God saith unto Noah, `This is a token of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And God said to Noah, This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And God said to Noe: This shall be the sign of the covenant, which I have established, between me and all flesh upon the earth.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Dijo, pues, Dios á Noé: Esta será la señal del pacto que he establecido entre mí y toda carne que está sobre la tierra.
Disse, pois, Deus a Noé: Este será o sinal do pacto que estabeleci entre mim e toda carne que está sobre a terra.
Et Dieu dit à Noé: Tel est le signe de l’ alliance que j’ établis entre moi et toute chair qui est sur la terre.
Und Gott sagte zu Noah: Das sei das Zeichen des Bundes, den ich aufgerichtet habe zwischen mir und allem Fleisch auf Erden.
Zo zeide dan God tot Noach: Dit is het teken des verbonds, dat Ik opgericht heb tussen Mij en tussen alle vlees, dat op de aarde is.
E Dio disse a Noè: “Questo è il segno del patto che io ho stabilito fra me e ogni carne che è sulla terra”.
Zatem rzekł Bóg do Noego: Tenci jest znak przymierza, którem postanowił między mną, i między wszelkiem ciałem, które jest na ziemi.
И сказал Бог Ною: вот знамение завета, который Я поставил между Мною и между всякою плотью, которая на земле.
神 對 挪亞 說：「這就是 我 與 地上 一切 有血肉之物 立 約 的記號了。」
And God said to Noah, This is the sign of the agreement which I have made between me and all flesh on the earth.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Genesis 9:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse serves as a concluding confirmation of the covenant God has just established. Gill notes the repetition 'for the greater confirmation and certainty of it, since the fears of men would be apt to run very high, especially while the flood was fresh in memory.' Matthew Henry adds that the seal of the covenant, the rainbow, affixes 'repeated assurances of the truth of that promise.' The Hebrew word for 'token' or 'sign' (אוֹת, oth) carries the sense of a distinguishing mark or miraculous signal (Clarke, Gill). Keil & Delitzsch emphasize that God 'condescended to establish a covenant with them and their descendants, and to confirm this covenant by a visible sign for all generations.' The covenant is 'everlasting,' not temporary; it applies to 'all flesh,' every living creature on earth. The rainbow functions as a divine reminder for both God and humanity: God looks upon it and remembers His promise (Barnes, Keil & Delitzsch). There is no disagreement among the supplied sources on these core points.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: It is universally agreed that God establishes the rainbow as a visible sign of His promise never again to destroy the earth by flood.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| First appearance of the rainbow | All agree the rainbow now serves as a covenant sign. | Keil & Delitzsch argue it appeared for the first time after the flood, implying a change in the atmosphere. Most other commentators (Matthew Henry, Clarke, Barnes) treat it as a natural phenomenon already known, now given covenantal meaning. |
| Nature of the covenant: unilateral or bilateral | God initiates and maintains the covenant. | Keil & Delitzsch emphasize that the verb 'established' (הקים) indicates a promise rather than a formal bilateral treaty. Others (Barnes, Matthew Henry) speak of 'covenant' in the full sense, but still stress God's sovereign action. |
| Inclusion of animals in the covenant | Animals are included as beneficiaries of the promise of no future flood. | Barnes specifies they are included 'on account of the former,' meaning for the sake of humans. Keil & Delitzsch also note that the animals are mentioned because they share in the benefit. No one argues animals are conscious covenant partners. |
| Permanence of the covenant: age of the earth | The covenant lasts as long as the earth remains. | Keil & Delitzsch interpret 'everlasting' as 'to all ages, even to the end of the world.' Some traditions see it as final in the sense that the flood judgment will never be repeated; others note that heaven and earth will eventually be replaced (2 Pet. 3:7), but the promise stands for this age. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The context of chapter 9 is the aftermath of the catastrophic flood. Noah and his family have emerged from the ark (Gen. 9:18). God blesses Noah and his sons, reaffirming the creation mandate and giving regulations about human life and the sanctity of blood (Gen. 9:1-7). Then God formally establishes a covenant (vv.8-16) promising never to destroy the earth by flood again. Verse 17 is a concluding reaffirmation.
The Hebrew verb for 'established' (הֲקִמֹתִי) is from קום (qum), literally 'to set up, raise.' Keil & Delitzsch distinguish this from 'cutting' a covenant (כרת, karat); it denotes 'the giving of a promise possessing the nature of a covenant' rather than a bilateral treaty. This is a unilateral divine pledge. The covenant includes not only Noah and his descendants but every living creature ('all flesh'), a point Barnes emphasizes: 'The animals are specially mentioned because they partake in the special benefit of preservation from a flood.'
The rainbow (קשׁת, qeshet, related to 'bent' as in a war-bow, but here a bow of peace) is set in the cloud. Many early readers, including the Greek poet Homer (as cited by Adam Clarke), saw the rainbow as a divine portent. In the biblical narrative, God repurposes common meteorological phenomenon into a guarantee of grace. Matthew Henry notes that this seal is affixed 'with repeated assurances,' underscoring the solemnity of God's promise. The verse thus closes this section of the narrative with a strong note of divine faithfulness.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The wording is stable across the major Hebrew manuscripts and the versions cited (KJV, BSB, YLT, etc.). The only variation is in English translations between 'token' and 'sign,' which reflects the semantic range of the Hebrew oth rather than a textual difference.
Reception History
This verse has been received across Christian history primarily as a foundation for understanding God's covenant with creation. Matthew Henry (Reformed, 1710) saw the rainbow as a seal affixed 'with repeated assurances,' emphasizing the certainty of God's promise. Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran, 1876) highlighted the sign as a vehicle of grace 'essential worth not only with men, but also before God.' Adam Clarke (Methodist, 1826) drew attention to parallel traditions in Homer and Virgil, showing how the biblical narrative redeems the pagan understanding of the rainbow as a divine portent. The verse is often used in discussions of the Noachian covenant and the divine commitment to the created order, reflecting a shift from judgment to mercy.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Sign Confirms the Promise. God calls the rainbow a “token of the covenant.” The sign does not create the covenant; it seals a promise already given. The repetition in v.17 shows God’s patience with fearful hearts (Gill).
- The Covenant Is Universal. It involves “all flesh that is on the earth.” Humans, animals, and the earth itself receive the guarantee. The scope of God’s grace extends beyond humanity to the whole creation.
- The Promise Is Everlasting. The covenant is “everlasting” (vv.12,16). It is not temporary until something better comes. God’s commitment to preserve the earth holds as long as the earth remains (Barnes).
Five-point outline
- God’s initiative: “I have established”, God acts, we receive.
- The sign chosen: the rainbow, a common sight now filled with divine meaning.
- The scope: “all flesh”, every creature shares in this promise.
- The permanence: “everlasting covenant”, not a temporary arrangement.
- The purpose: assurance for fearful hearts after the flood.
Illustration hooks
- A family watching a rainbow appear after a storm: reminds them that the worst is over. The rainbow marks a transition from judgment to mercy.
- A wedding ring as a sign of a promise. The ring itself is ordinary metal, but the promise it stands for is life-changing. The rainbow is God’s “ring” for creation.
- The cycle of seasons continues year after year. Seedtime and harvest (Gen. 8:22) are visible reminders of God’s faithfulness, just as the rainbow is.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does the rainbow still mean what it meant to Noah? Is it still a sign of God’s promise?
- If God never forgets, why does He need a reminder like the rainbow?
- What does this covenant tell us about how God relates to the non-human world?
Leading a Discussion
This verse wraps up one of the most significant promises in the Bible. After the flood, God speaks not only to Noah but to all future generations. The rainbow is not just a pretty sight; it is a divine signature on a contract of grace. As your group reads Genesis 9:8-17 together, consider what this ancient promise means for us today.
Discussion questions
- Read Genesis 9:12-17. What words does God use to describe the rainbow? List them.
- Why do you think God repeats the covenant sign three times in this passage (vv.12,13,17)?
- What does the Hebrew word for “token” (אוֹת, oth) tell us about the nature of this sign? Consult the lexicon data.
- Why is the covenant described as “everlasting”? What difference does that make for our confidence in God’s promises?
- The covenant includes “every living creature of all flesh” (v.15). What does that imply about God’s care for animals and the natural world?
- How does knowing that God looks at the rainbow and “remembers” (v.16) affect your understanding of God’s faithfulness? Does God forget?
- In what ways can we “remember” God’s covenant promises in our daily lives, especially when we face trials that feel like a flood?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws on Homer and Virgil to show that even pagan cultures recognized the rainbow as a divine sign, though they mythologized it. He sees this as confirming that God made the bow a universal token for all humanity descended from Noah, speaking a language every people understands.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues that the rainbow serves as a dual reminder: while humans look up to recall God’s promise, God looks down to remember His commitment. This mutual gaze highlights divine freedom and immutability, showing that grace operates even when human nature remains inclined toward evil. The sign confirms that judgment is restrained by mercy, assuring Noah that the earth will not be destroyed again.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator identifies the verse as a characteristic repetition by the Priestly writer, restating what the preceding verses already established. The point is not new content but a formal recapitulation, typical of that source's style.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes emphasize that this verse is God's solemn confirmation that the rainbow is the appointed sign of his covenant. They draw attention to the phrase "I have established," showing that God himself sets this agreement and seals it with a visible token for all living creatures, not just humanity.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill sees God's repetition of the rainbow promise as a deliberate confirmation meant to calm Noah's lingering fears after the flood. He then points out that this biblical sign likely gave rise to a Chinese legend in which Noah, called Fohi, was miraculously conceived when his mother was encircled by a rainbow.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stresses that God's covenant with Noah was not a formal contract but a promise given as a guarantee, confirmed by the rainbow. This sign holds real power not only for human memory but also before God Himself, who looks at it and remembers His everlasting covenant.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that Noah’s altar marked a theological shift after the flood, as God’s presence was no longer experienced locally in paradise but required worship directed heavenward. He explains that the burnt offering, named for its ascending smoke, symbolized this new distance between humanity and the divine throne.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that God took a natural phenomenon already appearing in the clouds and made it the sacred seal of his covenant. The rainbow was not created new but was now divinely appointed as a visible token, so that the eye would strengthen faith in the promise that the flood would never again destroy all flesh.