Devine Scripture

Genesis 9:11

What does Genesis 9:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 9:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 9:11 means

God explicitly states the primary promise of this covenant: never again will all flesh be destroyed by floodwaters, and there will never be another flood to devastate the entire earth. This unconditional promise provides immense security and reassurance after the traumatic experience of the global flood. It highlights God's mercy and commitment to sustain life on earth. This covenant is a declaration of divine self-limitation, ensuring that while judgment may come, it will not again take the form of a universal watery destruction. It foreshadows the coming of Christ, who would bear the ultimate judgment for humanity's sin, thus averting a final destruction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of the flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of the flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I will make my agreement with you; never again will all flesh be cut off by the waters; never again will the waters come over all the earth for its destruction.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I have established My covenant with you, and all flesh is not any more cut off by waters of a deluge, and there is not any more a deluge to destroy the earth.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall be no more destroyed with the waters of a flood, neither shall there be from henceforth a flood to waste the earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood, and henceforth there shall be no flood to destroy the earth.

Context

This verse immediately declares the central promise of the Noahic Covenant, providing the specific reassurance that follows the general establishment of the covenant and its broad beneficiaries. It answers the fundamental question of whether such a devastating flood would ever recur, directly addressing the fears and uncertainties of the post-flood world. This promise sets the stage for the introduction of the covenant's visible sign, which will serve as a perpetual reminder of this divine pledge.

v.10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that go out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.

v.11This passage

v.12And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 8:21

    And 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.

  • 2 Peter 3:7

    but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

  • Isaiah 54:9

    For this isasthe waters of Noah unto me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

  • Genesis 7:21

    And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both birds, and cattle, and beasts, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:

  • 2 Peter 3:11

    Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness,

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