Gen 6:9-22 & 7:24 & 8:14-19
Proper 4A

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6:9 These are the descendantsI of Noah.II Noah wasIII a righteousIV man,V

Notes on verse 6:9a

I “descendants” = toledoth. From yalad (to bear, bring forth; can mean to act as midwife or to show one’s lineage). This is generations descent, family, or history.
II “Noah” = Noach. From nuach (to rest, calm, camp, free, place, remain, satisfy, settle, station, or wait; implies settling down in a literal or figurative sense). This is Noah or Noach, meaning rest.
III “was” = hayah. This is to be or become, to happen.
IV “righteous” = tsaddiq. From the same as tsedeq (rightness, righteousness, just cause, vindication; that which is right in a natural, moral, or legal sense; abstractly equity; figuratively prosperity). This is just, innocent, righteous, righteous one, or lawful.
V “man” = enosh. From anash (to be weak, sick, or frail). This is human, humankind, another. It is mortal.

blamelessVI in his generation;VII Noah walkedVIII with God.IX 

Notes on verse 6:9b

VI “blameless” = tamim. From tamam (to finish or accomplish; to make perfect, demonstrate that you are upright; consume; to complete in a literal or figurative sense). This is entire in a literal or figurative sense. So, it could be complete, full, intact, or without defect. Alternately, it could refer to being sound, having integrity, being sincere or perfect.
VII “generation” = dor. From dur (to move in a circle, which implies living somewhere or remaining there; it can also be the sense of piling or heaping up). This is a revolution of time, which is to say, an age or generation. It can also be a dwelling or one’s posterity.
VIII “walked” = halak. This is go, come, walk. It is walk literally and figuratively and includes people and animals. It can be used figuratively for one’s moral life – how we walk according to God’s way or against it. It can also refer to the walk of life as in the course one’s life takes, the choices we make, etc.
IX “God” = Elohim.

10 And Noah hadX threeXI sons:XII Shem,XIII Ham,XIV and Japheth.XV

Notes on verse 6:10

X “had” = yalad. Related to “descendants” in v6:9. See note I above.
XI “three” = shalosh. This is three, fork, three times.
XII “sons” = ben. From banah (to build or obtain children). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense.
XIII “Shem” = Shem. 17x in OT. From the same as shem (name, fame, renown; indicates something essential about a person –about their individuality; can also mean honor, authority, or character); perhaps from sim (to put, place, set). This is Shem, meaning name.
XIV “Ham” = Cham. 16x in OT. Perhaps from the same as cham (hot, warm); from chamam (to be warm, heat; to be hot in a literal or figurative sense; to mate). This is Ham, meaning “hot” or “protective wall.” See https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Ham.html
XV “Japheth” = Yepheth. 11x in OT. From pathah (to be simple, entice, deceive, persuade, allure, be silly); from pethi (simple, silly, foolish, easily deceived); from pathah (to be wide open, deceive, entice, persuade, to be simple, delude). This Japheth, meaning expansion.

11 Now the earthXVI was corruptXVII in God’s sight,XVIII and the earth was filledXIX with violence.XX 

Notes on verse 6:11

XVI “earth” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.
XVII “was corrupt” = shachath. This is to go to ruin, perish, decay, batter, cast off, lose, one who destroys. This can be used in a literal or figurative sense.
XVIII “sight” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
XIX “was filled” = male. This is fill, satisfy, replenish, accomplish, fulfill, confirm, or consecrate. It is fill in a literal or figurative sense.
XX “violence” = chamas. From chamas (to violate, do violence, to wrong; implies mistreatment). This is violence, cruelty, damage, wrong, injustice, or unrighteous. Violence implies a wrong done. The term is also used to describe unjust gain.

12 And God sawXXI that the earthXXII was corrupt, for allXXIII fleshXXIV had corruptedXXV its waysXXVI upon the earth. 

Notes on verse 6:12

XXI “saw” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
XXII {untranslated} = hinneh. From hen (lo! Behold! If, though; an expression of surprise). This is to draw attention, show suddenness or surprise, or to emphasize the importance of the coming statement. See! Lo! Behold!
XXIII “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
XXIV “flesh” = basar. From basar (being a messenger, publish, carry preach; properly, this is being fresh, rosy or cheerful as one bearing news). This is flesh, the body, fat, skin, self, nakedness, humankind, or kin. It can also refer to private parts.
XXV “had corrupted” = shachath. Same as “was corrupt” in v6:11. See note XVII above.
XXVI “ways” = derek. From darak (to tread, march, to walk. Can also mean affixing a string to a box since one needs to step on it to bend it in the process; so also an archer). This is a road as a thing that is walked on. Can be used figuratively for the path that one’s life takes or how one chooses to live one’s life.

13 And God saidXXVII to Noah, “IXXVIII have determinedXXIX to make an endXXX of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because ofXXXI them; nowXXXII I am going to destroyXXXIII them along with the earth. 

Notes on verse 6:13

XXVII “said” = amar. This is to speak, say, answer, command, promise, report.
XXVIII “I” = paneh. Same as “sight” in v6:11. See note XVIII above.
XXIX “determined” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
XXX “end” = qets. From qatsats (to cut or chop off in a literal or figurative sense). This is outer border, end, or extremity. It can also mean infinite.
XXXI “because of” = paneh. Same as “sight” in v6:11. See note XVIII above.
XXXII “now” = hen. Related to {untranslated} in v6:12. See note XXII above.
XXXIII “destroy” = shachath. Same as “was corrupt” in v6:11. See note XVII above.

14 MakeXXXIV yourself an arkXXXV of cypressXXXVI wood;XXXVII

Notes on verse 6:14a

XXXIV “make” = asah. This is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses.
XXXV “ark” = tebah. Probably from Egyptian T-b-t (chest, coffin). Used for Moses’ basket, Noah’s ark, and the ark of the covenant.
XXXVI “cypress” = gopher. 1x in OT. This is gopher wood or cypress – whether the tree or its wood.
XXXVII “wood” = ets. Perhaps from atsah (to shut, fasten, firm up, to close one’s eyes). This is tree or other things related to trees like wood, sticks, or stalks. It can also refer to wood products like a plank or staff or gallows. Additionally, this can refer to a carpenter.

make roomsXXXVIII in the ark, and coverXXXIX it insideXL and outXLI with pitch.XLII 

Notes on verse 6:14b

XXXVIII “rooms” = qen. 13x in OT. Perhaps from qanan (to nestle, make or inhabit a nest). This is a nest or nestling. It can also refer to a room or other dwelling.
XXXIX “cover” = kaphar. This is to appease, cover, pacify, cancel, make atonement, placate. Specifically, it can mean to cover with bitumen.
XL “inside” = bayit. Related to “sons” in v6:10. Probably from banah (see note XII above). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
XLI “out” = chuts. Root may mean to sever. So, this is something that is separated by a wall – the outside, the street, a field, highway, or abroad.
XLII “pitch” = kopher. Related to “cover” in v6:14. 17x in OT– including covering Noah’s ark with pitch in Genesis 6. From kaphar (see note XXXIX above). This is ransom, bribe, price of a life. Properly, it means something that covers something else. S, it can be a village, bitumen as a coating, a henna plant that dyes, or a ransom price.

15 This is how you are to make it: the lengthXLIII of the ark three hundredXLIV cubits,XLV its widthXLVI fiftyXLVII cubits, and its heightXLVIII thirtyXLIX cubits. 

Notes on verse 6:15

XLIII “length” = orek. From arak (to be long in a literal or figurative sense, to continue, defer, draw out). This is length, long, or forever.
XLIV “hundred” = meah. This is hundred or some number times one hundred (i.e. hundredfold or the base of two hundred, three hundred, etc.).
XLV “cubits” = ammah. From the same as em (mother). This is a cubit, post, threshold, pivot. It is mother as the basic measure (the length of the forearm). It is also mother as the which bonds an entryway i.e. the base of the door.
XLVI “width” = rochab. From rachab (to grow wide or enlarge in a literal or figurative sense; extend, relieve, rejoice, or speak boldly). This is breadth, depth, thickness, expanse. It is width in a literal or figurative sense.
XLVII “fifty” = chamishshim. From chamesh (five, fifth). This is fifty.
XLVIII “height” = qomah. From qum (to arise, stand, accomplish, establish, abide; rising against, getting up after being sick or asleep, arising from one state to another, becoming powerful, or rising for action; standing in a figurative sense). This is tall, high, length, or height.
XLIX “thirty” = sheloshim. Related to “three” in v6:10. From the same as shalosh (see note XI above). This is thirty or thirtieth.

16 Make a roofL for the ark, and finishLI it to a cubit above,LII and putLIII the doorLIV of the ark in its side;LV

Notes on verse 6:16a

L “roof” = tsohar. From tsahar (pressing oil, glistening); from yitshar (fresh oil, anointed; oil as that which is burned to make light; used figuratively to talk about anointing). This is a light, window, or midday.
LI “finish” = kalah. This is to end, be finished, complete, prepare, consume, spent, or completely destroyed.
LII “above” = maal. From alah (to go up, ascend, be high, be a priority; to arise in a literal or figurative sense). This is the upper part, forward, high above, upwards, greater, heaven, or exceedingly.
LIII “put” = sim. Related to “Shem” in v6:10. See note XIII above.
LIV “door” = pethach. From pathach (to open wide in a literal or figurative sense; to open, draw out, let something go free, break forth, to plow, engrave, or carve). This is any kind of opening – a door, entrance, gate.
LV “side” = tsad. Root may mean to sidle. This is a side or an arm. It can also be used to mean beside or, figuratively, an adversary.

make it with lower,LVI second,LVII and thirdLVIII decks. 17 For my part,LIX I am going to bringLX a floodLXI of watersLXII on the earth,

Notes on verses 6:16b-17a

LVI “lower” = tachti. 19x in OT. From tachat (underneath, below, the bottom, instead of). This is beneath, the depths, foot of a mountain, a pit, the womb.
LVII “second” = sheni. From shanah (to fold, repeat, double, alter, or disguise). This is double, again, another, second.
LVIII “third” = shelishi. Related to “three” in v6:10 & “thirty” in v6:15. From shalosh (see note XI above). This is third or one-third of something.
LIX {untranslated} = hen. Same as “now” in v6:13. See note XXXII above.
LX “bring” = bo. Same as “determined” in v6:13. See note XXIX above.
LXI “flood” = mabbul. 13x in OT. Perhaps from yabal (to bring, carry, flow, lead forth). This is a flood or deluge.
LXII “waters” = mayim. This is water, waters, or waterway in a general sense. Figuratively, it can also mean juice, urine, or semen.

to destroy from underLXIII heavenLXIV all flesh in which is the breathLXV of life;LXVI everythingLXVII that is on the earth shall die.LXVIII 

Notes on verse 6:17b

LXIII “under” = tachat. Related to “lower” in v6:16. See note LVI above.
LXIV “heaven” = shamayim. Root may mean being lofty. This is sky, the air, or heaven. It is in a dual noun form so this might refer to the part of the sky where the clouds move on the one hand and the part beyond that where the sun, moon, and stars are on the other hand.
LXV “breath” = ruach. From ruach (smell, breathe, perceive, anticipate, accept, enjoy). This is breath, wind, air, cool, spirit. This is wind, which resembles the breath and so this can be used figuratively for life itself or being frail/mortal/impermanent. It can refer to the air of the sky or the spirit.
LXVI “life” = chay. From chayah (to live or keep alive literally or figuratively). This is alive, living, lifetime. It can also be used to describe someone’s age. It can refer to animals, plants, water, or a company or congregation of people. It is life in a very broad sense.
LXVII “everything” = kol. Same as “all” in v6:12. See note XXIII above.
LXVIII “die” = gava. This is to breathe out, which implies expire or die.

18 But I will establishLXIX my covenantLXX with you, and you shall comeLXXI into the ark, you, your sons, your wife,LXXII and your sons’ wives with you. 

Notes on verse 6:18

LXIX “establish” = qum. Related to “height” in v6:15. See note XLVIII above.
LXX “covenant” = berit. Perhaps from barah (to eat, choose, make clear); perhaps from bar (grain, wheat); from barar (to select, purify, cleanse, test, brighten, polish). This is a compact, covenant, alliance, treaty, or league.
LXXI “come” = bo. Same as “determined” in v6:13. See note XXIX above.
LXXII “wife” = ishshah. Related to “man” in v6:9. From ish (man); perhaps from enosh (see note V above). This is woman, wife, or female.

19 And of everyLXXIII living thing,LXXIV of all flesh, you shall bring twoLXXV of every kind into the ark, to keep them aliveLXXVI with you; they shall be maleLXXVII and female.LXXVIII 

Notes on verse 6:19

LXXIII “every” = kol. Same as “all” in v6:12. See note XXIII above.
LXXIV “living thing” = chay. Same as “life” in v6:17. See note LXVI above.
LXXV “two” = shenayim. Related to “second” in v6:16. From sheni (see note LVII above). This is two, both, second, couple.
LXXVI “keep…alive” = chayah. Related to “life” in v6:17. See note LXVI above.
LXXVII “male” = zakar. From zakar (to remember, to mark something so that it can be recalled, to be mindful of, to mention). This is male. Properly, perhaps, it means one who is remembered, which is to say a male.
LXXVIII “female” = neqebah. From naqab (to pierce, bore holes, puncture; to make a hole more or less forcefully; also to curse or libel). This is female or woman from an anatomical reference.

20 Of the birdsLXXIX according to their kinds and of the animalsLXXX according to their kinds, of every creeping thingLXXXI of the groundLXXXII according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. 

Notes on verse 6:20

LXXIX “birds” = oph. From uph (to fly, flee, shine, be weary, be faint). This is a flying creature.
LXXX “animals” = behemah. This is animal or cattle. It is often used of large quadrupeds.
LXXXI “creeping thing” = remes. 17x in OT. From ramas (gliding swiftly, moving with quick steps or crawling; to swarm or prowl or move about). This is things that move rapidly or creep such as reptiles.
LXXXII “ground” = adamah. From the same as adam (man, humankind); perhaps from ‘adom (to be red). This is ground, earth, soil as red, or land.

21 Also takeLXXXIII with you every kind of foodLXXXIV that is eaten,LXXXV and storeLXXXVI it up, and it shall serveLXXXVII as foodLXXXVIII for you and for them.” 

Notes on verse 6:21

LXXXIII “take” = laqach. This is to take, accept, carry away, receive. It can also have the sense of take a wife or take in marriage.
LXXXIV “food” = ma’akal. From akal (to eat, devour, burn up, or otherwise consume; eating in a literal or figurative sense). This is food, something edible.
LXXXV “eaten” = akal. Related to “food” in v6:21. See note LXXXIV above.
LXXXVI “store” = asaph. This is to gather, assemble, or bring. It can also mean to take away, destroy, or remove.
LXXXVII “serve” = hayah. Same as “was” in v6:9. See note III above.
LXXXVIII “food” = oklah. Related to “food” and “eaten” in v6:21. 18x in OT. From okel (food, prey, meat, eating); from akal (see note LXXXIV above). This is food, eating, fuel, meat, consume.

22 Noah didLXXXIX this;XC he did all that God commandedXCI him.

7:24 And the waters swelledXCII on the earth for one hundred fifty days.XCIII

Notes on verse 6:22 & 7:24

LXXXIX “did” = asah. Same as “make” in v6:14. See note XXXIV above.
XC “this” = ken. Perhaps from kun (properly, in a perpendicular position; literally, to establish, fix, fasten, prepare; figuratively, it is certainty, to be firm, faithfulness, render sure or prosperous). This is to set upright. Generally used figuratively to mean thus, so, afterwards, rightly so.
XCI “commanded” = tsavah. This is to charge, command, order, appoint, or enjoin. This is the root that the Hebrew word for “commandment” comes from (mitsvah).
XCII “swelled” = gabar. This is to be strong or mighty. It can mean to prevail or to be insolent.
XCIII “days” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.

8:14 In the second month,XCIV on the twentyXCV-seventhXCVI day of the month, the earth was dry.XCVII 

Notes on verse 8:14

XCIV “month” = chodesh. From chadash (to renew, repair). This refers to a new moon. It can also mean monthly.
XCV “twenty” = esrim. From the same as eser (ten, tenth). This is twenty or twentieth.
XCVI “seventh” = sheba. This is seven or by sevenfold. It can also be used to imply a week or an indefinite number. Symbolically, this is the number of fullness, sacredness, perfection.
XCVII “was dry” = yabesh. This is to be dry, withered, confused, or ashamed. It can also be to fail.

15 Then God saidXCVIII to Noah,XCIX 16 “Go outC of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Bring outCI with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creepsCII on the earth—so that they may aboundCIII on the earth

Notes on verses 8:15-17a

XCVIII “said” = dabar. This is generally to speak, answer, declare, or command. It might mean to arrange and so to speak in a figurative sense as arranging words.
XCIX {untranslated} = amar. Same as “said” in v6:13. See note XXVII above.
C “go out” = yatsa. This is to go or come out, bring forth, appear. It is to go out in a literal or figurative sense.
CI “bring out” = yatsa. Same as “go out” in v8:16. See note C above.
CII “creeps” = ramas. Related to “creeping thing” in v6:20. 17x in OT. See note LXXXI above.
CIII “abound” = sharats. 14x in OT. This is to swarm, creep, abound, breed a lot, wriggle.

and be fruitfulCIV and multiplyCV on the earth.” 

18 So Noah went outCVI with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. 19 And every animal,CVII every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that movesCVIII on the earth, went outCIX of the ark by families.CX

Notes on verses 8:17b-19

CIV “be fruitful” = parah. This is to bear fruit, grow, be fruitful, increase. It is bearing fruit in a literal or figurative sense.
CV “multiply” = rabah. This is increasing in any aspect whether quantity, authority, size, quality, greatness, etc.
CVI “went out” = yatsa. Same as “go out” in v8:16. See note C above.
CVII “animal” = chay. Same as “life” in v6:17. See note LXVI above.
CVIII “moves” = ramas. Same as “creeps” in v8:17. See note CII above.
CIX “went out” = yatsa. Same as “go out” in v8:16. See note C above.
CX “families” = mishpachah. From the same as shiphcah (maid, maidservant); root means to spread out. This is one’s circle of relatives – clan, family, kindred.


Image credit: detail of “Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat” by Simon de Myle, 1570,