Outline of Genesis 6:9-22: Noah's Ark and Flood
Genesis 6:9-22: Noah's Ark and Flood
Genesis 6:9-22 recounts the story of Noah, a righteous man who walked with God, and the instructions he received to build an ark to save himself, his family, and two of every kind of animal from a worldwide flood [2]. The passage begins by describing Noah as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation" (Genesis 6:9, BSB) [2].
The surrounding narrative provides context for Noah's story. The preceding chapter (Genesis 5) lists the descendants of Adam, while Genesis 6:1-8 describes the corruption of humanity and God's decision to destroy the earth. The subsequent chapters (Genesis 7-9) detail the flood and its aftermath.
The key terms in this passage include "righteous" (Hebrew: צַדִּיק, tsaddiq) and "blameless" (Hebrew: תָּמִים, tamim), which describe Noah's character [2]. The instructions to build the ark involve specific details, such as its dimensions and the materials used.
A major exegetical decision in this passage concerns the interpretation of the phrase "every kind" (Genesis 6:19-20) [5]. The repetition of this phrase, echoing the language of creation (Genesis 1:24), suggests that the animals were to be representative of their respective kinds, rather than exhaustive [5].
The range of interpretations for this passage is diverse. According to John Gill, Noah's obedience to God's commands demonstrates his faith and fear of God [7]. Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that the phrase "And Noah did thus" (Genesis 6:22) emphasizes Noah's complete obedience to God's instructions [8]. Adam Clarke views the passage as highlighting the contrast between Noah's righteousness and the wickedness of the surrounding world [6].
The passage has functioned significantly in tradition, with Noah's ark becoming a symbol of salvation and faith. The account has been referenced in various biblical passages, including Isaiah 54:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:20-21 [3, 4].
The historical setting of this passage is the ancient Near East, with the narrative likely composed during the period of the Israelite monarchy or earlier [1]. The cultural context is one of a corrupt and violent world, which God judges through the flood.
Noah's obedience to God's commands, as recorded in Genesis 6:22, serves as a testament to his faith and trust in God's promises [1, 7, 8]. The construction of the ark, in accordance with God's detailed instructions, demonstrates Noah's commitment to following God's will.
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 6:22 (BBE) — And all these things Noah did; as God said, so he did.”
- Genesis “Genesis 6:9 (BSB) — This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 3:22 cross-references: Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:9, Genesis 3:5, Genesis 11:6, Psalms 22:26, Proverbs 3:18, Isaiah 19:12, Isaiah 47:12, Jeremiah 22:23, John 6:48, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 22:2, Revelation 22:14”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Exodus 6:8 cross-references: Genesis 14:22, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 22:16, Genesis 26:3, Genesis 28:13, Genesis 35:12, Exodus 6:2, Exodus 6:4, Exodus 6:6, Exodus 32:13, Numbers 10:29, Numbers 11:12, Numbers 23:19, Deuteronomy 4:31, Deuteronomy 32:40, 1 Samuel 15:29, Psalms 136:21, Ezekiel 20:5, Ezekiel 20:15, Ezekiel 20:23, Ezekiel 20:28, Ezekiel 20:42, Ezekiel 36:7, Ezekiel 47:14”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 6:19: 6:19-20 God’s instructions to Noah repeat the language of creation (every kind, cp. 1:24). • a male and a female: These animals would procreate and repopulate the earth after the flood.”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 6 (introduction): The children of God, among whom the true religion was at first preserved, corrupt it by forming matrimonial connections with irreligious women, Gen 6:1, Gen 6:2. God, displeased with these connections and their consequences, limits the continuance of the old world to one hundred and twenty years, Gen 6:3. The issue of those improper connections termed giants, Gen 6:4. An affecting description of the depravity of the world, Gen 6:5, Gen 6:6. God threatens the destruction of every living creature, Gen 6:7. Noah and his family find grace in his sight, Gen ”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 6:20: Thus did Noah,.... Or "and" or "therefore Noah made" (o) the ark; and "all things", as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions: according to all that God commanded him, so did he; he made the ark according to the pattern God gave him, he gathered together food for himself and family, and for all the creatures, and laid it up in the ark as God directed him; and when the time was come, he and they not only entered into it, but he took with him all the creatures he was ordered, as after related; in this we have an instance of his fear of God, of his faith in his wor”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 6:22: AND NOAH DID THUS; ACCORDING TO ALL THAT G-D HAD COMMANDED HIM, meaning that he constructed the ark and gathered the food. Scripture’s intent in saying, And Noah did… so did he , is to explain that he did not omit a thing from all that G-d had commanded him.”