Devine Scripture

Genesis 7:16

What does Genesis 7:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 7:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 7:16 means

The entry of the animals, male and female of all flesh, was precisely "as God commanded him." This reaffirms Noah's perfect obedience and the divine direction of the animal gathering. Most significantly, "Jehovah shut him in." This act of God sealing the ark is pivotal: it signified divine protection for those inside and sealed the fate of those outside. It was not Noah, but God Himself, who closed the door, guaranteeing their salvation and marking the irreversible start of the judgment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him: and Jehovah shut him in.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him: and Jehovah shut him in.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Male and female of all flesh went in, as God had said, and the ark was shut by the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they that are coming in, male and female of all flesh, have come in as God hath commanded him, and Jehovah doth close <FI>it<Fi> for him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in on the outside.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they that came, came male and female of all flesh, asGod had commanded him. And Jehovah shut him in.

Context

This verse confirms God's command regarding the animals' entry and, most importantly, reveals that Jehovah Himself sealed the ark. This act directly precedes the description of the ark being lifted by the rising waters. This divine closure is a critical turning point, signifying both the security of the ark's inhabitants and the finality of God's judgment upon the world.

v.15And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh wherein is the breath of life.

v.16This passage

v.17And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 13:25

    When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;

  • Proverbs 3:23

    Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble.

  • Deuteronomy 33:27

    The eternal God isthy dwelling-place, And underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy from before thee, And said, Destroy.

  • Genesis 7:2

    Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee seven and seven, the male and his female; and of the beasts that are not clean two, the male and his female:

  • Matthew 25:10

    And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.

  • Psalms 91:1

    He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

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