Devine Scripture

Genesis 8:16

What does Genesis 8:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 8:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 8:16 means

God's command to Noah is specific and all-encompassing: he, his wife, his sons, and their wives are to leave the ark. This instruction signals the re-establishment of humanity on earth after the flood's devastation, ensuring the continuation of the human family. The order implies a new beginning, a fresh start for mankind under God's continued guidance. It emphasizes the direct divine authority for their re-entrance into the world, demonstrating God's purposeful plan for post-flood humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Go forth from the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Go forth from the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

every living thing that <FI>is<Fi> with thee, of all flesh, among fowl, and among cattle, and among every creeping thing which is creeping on the earth, bring out with thee;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Go out of the ark, thou and thy wife, thy sons and the wives of thy sons with thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Go out of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.

Context

This verse presents the initial part of God's command to Noah, directly following God's address in verse 15. It focuses specifically on the human family, instructing their safe departure from the ark. This command sets the immediate action for Noah and his family, preparing the way for the broader command to release all the animals and begin the process of replenishing the earth.

v.15And God spake unto Noah, saying,

v.16This passage

v.17Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee of all flesh, both birds, and cattle, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 121:8

    Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore.

  • Genesis 7:1

    And Jehovah said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

  • Genesis 7:7

    And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

  • Genesis 7:13

    In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;

  • Joshua 4:16

    Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan.

  • Acts 16:37

    But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.

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