Genesis 9 - Introduction

Genesis 9:1-17 (P). The Conclusion of the Flood Story according to P

The passage falls into two sections: (a) 1 7, (b) 8 17.

(a) 1 7. The blessing pronounced upon Noah and his family: man's prerogatives are enlarged; but two prohibitions are imposed: (i) of eating blood, (ii) of manslaughter.

(b) 8 17. God establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, according to which He will never again destroy the inhabitants of the world, and in token of which He appoints the rainbow to be the perpetual symbol of Divine mercy.

Section (b) stands in immediate relation to the Flood story, and corresponds to J's account of the Divine promise never again to curse the ground (Genesis 8:21).