Genesis 6:8 kjv

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:8 nkjv

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:8 niv

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:8 esv

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:8 nlt

But Noah found favor with the LORD.

Genesis 6 verses

Genesis 6 8 Meaning

Genesis 6:8 reveals God's sovereign grace and intentional selection amidst widespread human wickedness and impending divine judgment. It declares that Noah, uniquely among his generation, was the recipient of God's undeserved kindness and positive regard. This "favor" (Hebrew: chen) acted as the decisive factor that set him apart, providing the basis for his preservation and establishing him as the means through whom humanity and a renewed world would be given a fresh start following the great Flood. It marks a critical turning point from universal condemnation to specific divine election.

Genesis 6 8 Context

Genesis 6:8 is strategically placed within the narrative of the worsening human condition prior to the Great Flood. Verses 1-7 vividly describe pervasive human wickedness, the "sons of God" taking "daughters of men," violence, and corrupt thoughts dominating humanity, to the point that "the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." God's decree to "blot out man from the face of the land" sets the stage for ultimate judgment. Amidst this bleak portrayal of universal depravity and divine grief, verse 8 dramatically shifts the focus, acting as a profound glimmer of hope and a divine intervention point. It immediately introduces Noah as a distinct individual marked by God's favor, setting him apart as the singular exception to the global condemnation, paving the way for God's plan of preservation and covenant renewal through him. Historically and culturally, this narrative contrasts sharply with ancient Near Eastern flood myths which often depicted the gods acting capriciously or irrationally; here, the God of Israel grieves over moral corruption and extends favor based on His divine character and purposeful will.

Genesis 6 8 Word analysis

• But (וְ - v’): This conjunction, often translated as "and" or "but," serves as a stark adversative here. It powerfully introduces a complete contrast, shifting abruptly from the global state of wickedness and impending judgment (Gen 6:5-7) to a singular, specific exception. It highlights God's initiative in distinguishing Noah from the universal depravity.
• Noah (נֹחַ - Noach): Derived from the Hebrew root meaning "rest" or "comfort." This name possibly prefigures his role in bringing "rest" from divine judgment or a new beginning after the flood, offering "comfort" from the pervasive wickedness of the pre-Flood world. He represents humanity's solitary hope for preservation.
• found (מָצָא - matsa'): Meaning "to find," "obtain," or "meet with." In this context, it signifies that Noah experienced or came into possession of this favor. While "found" might imply Noah's active seeking, the immediate context emphasizes God's sovereign disposition. Noah was receptive, but the favor originated entirely with God.
• favor (חֵן - chen): This is the pivotal word, meaning "grace," "favor," "charm," or "acceptance." It describes an unmerited, undeserved kindness or positive disposition from a superior party (God) towards an inferior. It's not something Noah earned, but something freely bestowed by God's choice and nature. It signifies God's active goodwill and readiness to show special consideration and assistance. This concept of divine chen is foundational to biblical understanding of salvation.
• in the eyes of (בְּעֵינֵי - be'eyney): This is a common Hebrew idiom meaning "in the sight of," "in the opinion of," "in the estimation of," or "in the judgment of." It underscores that God Himself personally observed, perceived, and decided upon Noah, not based on external standards but on His direct assessment and choosing. It speaks of intimacy and personal divine discernment.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the personal, covenant name of God (the Tetragrammaton). Its use here, rather than the more general "Elohim" (often associated with creation and judgment), emphasizes God's relational character, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His active, purposeful involvement in humanity's destiny. It signifies the covenant God who is sovereign over all and is initiating a plan of redemption despite human failure.

Words-group Analysis

• "But Noah found": This phrase dramatically contrasts Noah with the preceding description of global depravity. It underscores Noah's distinctiveness and God's intentional isolation of him for a unique purpose. It implies a divine sovereign act that singled out one individual from billions.
• "found favor": This pairing indicates that Noah's salvation and his subsequent role were not primarily the result of his human merits, but of a divine act of unmerited grace. Though Gen 6:9 states Noah's righteousness, this verse highlights that God's favor preceded or at least enabled Noah's righteous walk to be recognized for His salvific plan. It is a gift freely given by God.
• "favor in the eyes of the Lord": This phrase emphasizes the highly personal nature of God's interaction with Noah. God Himself observed, assessed, and deliberately chose to bestow His special grace upon Noah. It signifies divine approval and an intentional act of distinguishing Noah for His purposes, highlighting God's direct, compassionate, and redemptive gaze upon a single soul amidst universal wickedness.

Genesis 6 8 Bonus section

• The concept of "favor" (חֵן - chen) in Genesis 6:8 sets the theological precedent for how salvation unfolds throughout the Bible—it is consistently rooted in God's grace and initiative, even when recipients demonstrate faithfulness. It challenges any notion that human effort alone can secure deliverance from divine judgment.
• This verse represents a vital transition in the Genesis narrative, shifting from God's general engagement with all humanity ("man" in verses 1-7) to His particular election of one man, Noah. This highlights a recurring pattern in divine history: the calling out of an individual or a remnant to carry forward God's redemptive plan when humanity falls into widespread sin (e.g., Abraham, Israel, the Church).
• The personal name YHWH (the Lord), used for the first time in this chapter at Gen 6:3 and significantly appearing again in Gen 6:8, underlines the covenant fidelity and personal relationship of God towards Noah, distinguishing Him from the universal God (Elohim) whose judgments are global. This distinction underscores that the act of finding favor is not merely an impersonal divine assessment but a deeply relational choice by the covenant-making God.

Genesis 6 8 Commentary

Genesis 6:8 is a profound theological statement, a beam of divine light piercing the darkness of pre-Flood depravity. After a devastating declaration of human wickedness and God's grief leading to a decision of destruction, this verse introduces an unexpected exception. It asserts that Noah did not earn his salvation through flawless merit, but rather "found favor" (chen) in the sight of the Lord. This chen is unmerited grace—God's undeserved kindness and preferential treatment—which became the operative principle for Noah's preservation. While the subsequent verse (6:9) describes Noah as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation," demonstrating his obedient walk with God, it is God's favor that precedes and enables his specific election for the ark. This verse thereby presents a foundational biblical truth: salvation, ultimately, is rooted in God's sovereign choice and His gracious disposition toward humanity, rather than solely on human accomplishment. It reminds us that even in judgment, God reserves a channel for His redemptive purposes.

• Example for Practical Usage: In moments of widespread societal decline or personal failure, remembering Genesis 6:8 provides hope that God's grace can still find an individual or a remnant, initiating a pathway for renewal and salvation. It encourages trust in God's sovereign choice and His willingness to show mercy even when unmerited.