Genesis 8:9
What does Genesis 8:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 8:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 8:9 means
The dove's immediate return to the ark, finding "no rest for the sole of her foot," clearly indicated that the waters still covered the entire surface of the earth. Doves are not creatures of strong endurance in flight and require dry land to perch. Her inability to find a place to land provided Noah with definitive proof that the ground was not yet suitable for habitation. Noah's gentle act of reaching out and bringing the dove back into the ark underscores his care for the creatures.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him to the ark; for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: and he put forth his hand, and took her, and brought her in unto him into the ark.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him to the ark; for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: and he put forth his hand, and took her, and brought her in unto him into the ark.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the dove saw no resting-place for her foot, and came back to the ark, for the waters were still over all the earth; and he put out his hand, and took her into the ark.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the dove hath not found rest for the sole of her foot, and she turneth back unto him, unto the ark, for waters <FI>are<Fi> on the face of all the earth, and he putteth out his hand, and taketh her, and bringeth her in unto him, unto the ark.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But she not finding where her foot might rest, returned to him into the ark: for the waters were upon the whole earth: and he put forth his hand, and caught her, and brought her into the ark.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the dove found no resting-place for the sole of her foot, and returned to him into the ark; for the waters were on the whole earth; and he put forth his hand, and took her, and brought her to him into the ark.
Context
This verse immediately follows the sending of the dove in verse 8 and provides the direct result of its first flight. The dove's inability to find rest confirms Noah's initial fears about the pervasive presence of water, contrasting with the raven's more self-sufficient behavior. This failed attempt prompts Noah to wait longer, underscoring the ongoing process of the earth drying out.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- Isaiah 60:8
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
- John 16:33
These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
- Psalms 116:7
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; For Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee.
- Deuteronomy 28:65
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, and there shall be no rest for the sole of thy foot: but Jehovah will give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and pining of soul;
- Ezekiel 7:16
But those of them that escape shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, every one in his iniquity.
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