Genesis 8:13
What does Genesis 8:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 8:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 8:13 means
This verse provides a precise chronological marker for the substantial drying of the earth. Noah, observing that the "waters were dried up from off the earth," took the significant step of removing the ark's covering. This action allowed him to directly see the ground, confirming visually what the dove's absence had indicated. The sight of the "face of the ground was dried" offered concrete, personal assurance that the long period of isolation was nearing its end, even if the earth was not yet fully prepared for habitation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass in the six hundredth 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 dry.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in the six hundred and first year, on the first day of the first month, the waters were dry on the earth: and Noah took the cover off the ark and saw that the face of the earth was dry.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it cometh to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first <FI>month<Fi> , in the first of the month, the waters have been dried from off the earth; and Noah turneth aside the covering of the ark, and looketh, and lo, the face of the ground hath been dried.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore in the six hundredth and first year, the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were lessened upon the earth, and Noe opening the covering of the ark, looked, and saw that the face of the earth was dried.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first [month], on the first of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the surface of the ground was dried.
Context
This verse marks a critical juncture, providing a precise date and Noah's personal verification of the earth's dryness, following the dove's final flight in verse 12. Noah's action of removing the ark's covering signifies a transition from relying on indirect signs to direct observation. While the land is dry, it's not yet ready for immediate habitation, building anticipation for the final command to exit the ark.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
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