THE FLOOD This narrative records the judgment of God upon the sinful forefathers of mankind, and His preservation of a righteous family, in whom the divine purposes for men might be carried out. The spiritual teaching of Noah's deliverance has always been recognised by Christians, who see in the ark... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DIVINE BLESSING AND COVENANT. NOAH AND THE VINE. THE CURSE OF CANAAN 1-7. The primeval benediction of man (Genesis 1:28) is now repeated and enlarged. Animal food is allowed (cp. Genesis 1:29), but blood is forbidden. The blood makes the life manifest, as it were, to our senses, and the life be... [ Continue Reading ]
IT REPENTED THE LORD] The writer, as in Genesis 3, interprets God's acts from man's point of view, and explains them on the analogy of human motives. See on Genesis 11:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY COVENANT] This word occurs some two hundred times in the OT., and the idea lies at the root of the whole conception of law among the Jews. Covenants, as made between men, form the beginnings of civilised government: cp. Genesis 26:26; Genesis 31:44, etc. The word is also used of the relation of G... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE EARTH] rather, 'from the earth.' 14-16. The Hebrew word for ark means a 'vessel,' that which contains anything. It was shaped like a chest, with a flat bottom and a roof. If the cubit measured 18 in., the ark was 450 ft. long, 75 ft. broad, and 45 ft. in depth; and therefore smaller than m... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A CUBIT, ETC.] RV 'to a cubit shalt thou finish it upward,' i.e. a space of 18 in. was to be left.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY COVENANT] see on Genesis 9:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY LIVING THING OF ALL FLESH] This comprehensive command is limited in the Primitive narrative (Genesis 7:2) to clean animals (such as sheep, oxen, and goats), and to beasts that are not clean (which by analogy means domestic animals, such as camels, asses, horses, etc.), and fowls. The inclusion... [ Continue Reading ]
Noah is represented as the first cultivator of the vine.... [ Continue Reading ]
Noah's intoxication was not due to deliberate excess, but was his practical discovery of the properties of wine. The story therefore contains nothing inconsistent with the character already ascribed to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Canaan represents the nations of Palestine subdued by Israel. The justification of the conquest lay in the impure character of their worship, which was foreshadowed in the immodest conduct of their ancestor.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GOD OF SHEM] RV 'the Lord (Jehovah), the God of Shem.' Shem was the ancestor of Israel, and these words assert Israel's unique position and calling, as the chosen people of the true God. CANAAN SHALL BE] RV 'let Canaan be': so in Genesis 9:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD SHALL ENLARGE] RV 'God enlarge Japheth.' Japheth represents the remaining peoples of the world. They have a share in God's favour, even though they do not know Him in His true character as Jehovah. HE SHALL DWELL] RV 'let him dwell,' in friendly alliance. We may see in the words a forecast of th... [ Continue Reading ]