Genesis 9:13
What does Genesis 9:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 9:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 9:13 means
God reveals the specific token of His covenant: the rainbow, set in the clouds. This natural phenomenon, now imbued with divine significance, will serve as the visible reminder of the sacred agreement between God and the earth. The rainbow, appearing after rain, transforms from a mere meteorological event into a powerful symbol of divine promise and mercy. Its placement "in the cloud" ensures its visibility to all of humanity and creation, constantly pointing to God's faithfulness and His pledge to never again destroy the earth by flood.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I will put my bow in the cloud and it will be for a sign of the agreement between me and the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862My bow I have given in the cloud, and it hath been for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me and between the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Context
This verse directly identifies the specific "token" announced in the previous verse, revealing the rainbow as the visible sign of the covenant. It provides the concrete imagery for God's promise, connecting a natural phenomenon to a profound theological truth. This identification immediately sets up the subsequent verses, which explain *how* the rainbow functions as a reminder of God's covenant, detailing its role in reaffirming His everlasting pledge to both Himself and humanity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 4:3
and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.
- Revelation 10:1
And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;
- Ezekiel 1:28
As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
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