Devine Scripture

Genesis 8:20

What does Genesis 8:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 8:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 8:20 means

Noah's immediate action upon leaving the ark was to build an altar and offer burnt offerings to the Lord. This act of worship demonstrates profound gratitude and reverence to God for their preservation and for the new beginning. By offering sacrifices of "clean beasts" and "clean birds," Noah acknowledged God's sovereignty, sought His favor, and consecrated the start of this new era. This was an expression of worship, faith, and dependence on God, setting a precedent for post-flood humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Noah builded an altar unto Jehovah, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Noah builded an altar unto Jehovah, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Noah made an altar to the Lord, and from every clean beast and bird he made burned offerings on the altar.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Noah buildeth an altar to Jehovah, and taketh of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and causeth burnt-offerings to ascend on the altar;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Noe built an altar unto the Lord: and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, offered holocausts upon the altar.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Noah built an altar to Jehovah; and took of every clean animal, and of all clean fowl, and offered up burnt-offerings on the altar.

Context

This verse describes Noah's significant first act upon emerging from the ark (verse 19): an act of worship. This immediate building of an altar and offering of sacrifices sets a tone of gratitude and dependence on God for the new earth. This pivotal action immediately follows the disembarkation and profoundly influences God's subsequent declaration. It is the human response that prompts God's covenantal promise.

v.19every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, whatsoever moveth upon the earth, after their families, went forth out of the ark.

v.20This passage

v.21And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake, for that the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 24:4

    And Moses wrote all the words of Jehovah, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the mount, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • Hebrews 13:15

    Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.

  • Genesis 26:25

    And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of Jehovah, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.

  • Genesis 35:7

    And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el; because there God was revealed unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

  • Genesis 4:4

    And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

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