Devine Scripture

Genesis 8:12

What does Genesis 8:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 8:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 8:12 means

After another week, Noah sent the dove out for a third time, and this time, it did not return. The dove's permanent absence indicated that it had found sufficient dry land, food, and suitable conditions to remain outside the ark, suggesting a wide area of the earth was now habitable. This was the strongest possible confirmation for Noah that the floodwaters had indeed receded from the surface of the ground, marking the culmination of his bird-based investigations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he stayed yet other seven days, and sent forth the dove; and she returned not again unto him any more.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he stayed yet other seven days, and sent forth the dove; and she returned not again unto him any more.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after seven days more, he sent the dove out again, but she did not come back to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he stayeth yet other seven days, and sendeth forth the dove, and it added not to turn back unto him any more.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he stayed yet other seven days: and he sent forth the dove, which returned not any more unto him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he waited yet other seven days, and sent forth the dove; but she returned no more to him.

Context

Following the hopeful sign of the olive leaf (verse 11), Noah's final dispatch of the dove delivers the conclusive evidence. The dove's permanent absence signifies that the earth is largely dry and provides confirmation that the time for disembarking is drawing near. This act concludes Noah's independent assessment of the flood's abatement, clearing the way for God's direct instruction.

v.11and the dove came in to him at eventide; and, lo, in her mouth an olive-leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

v.12This passage

v.13And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dried.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 30:18

    And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him.

  • Isaiah 26:8

    Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Jehovah, have we waited for thee; to thy name, even to thy memorial name, is the desire of our soul.

  • Genesis 8:10

    And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;

  • James 5:7

    Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.

  • Isaiah 25:9

    And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Jehovah; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

  • Isaiah 8:17

    And I will wait for Jehovah, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.

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