Genesis 6:9 kjv

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:9 nkjv

This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:9 niv

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.

Genesis 6:9 esv

These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:9 nlt

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

Genesis 6 verses

Genesis 6 9 Meaning

Genesis 6:9 serves as the introductory statement for the "generations of Noah," detailing his exceptional character in a time of pervasive human wickedness. It highlights Noah as a man of righteousness and integrity who maintained an intimate fellowship with God, setting him apart as the vessel chosen by divine grace to preserve humanity and creation from the coming judgment. This verse provides the spiritual rationale for God's favor upon Noah, transitioning the narrative from global corruption to God's redemptive plan centered on him.

Genesis 6 9 Context

Genesis 6:9 opens a new significant section in the book of Genesis, introduced by the common "These are the generations of..." formula (toledot). It follows immediately after a profound portrayal of humanity's severe depravity and violence in Gen 6:1-8, where every inclination of man's heart was described as "only evil continually," leading God to grieve and determine to destroy mankind from the face of the earth. In this grim context, Genesis 6:8 highlights Noah's distinct standing: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." Verse 9 then explains the righteous character that marked Noah, setting him apart from his exceedingly corrupt generation. This distinction is critical as it introduces the single individual through whom God's plan of judgment and subsequent salvation would be implemented. The chapter then proceeds to describe God's command to Noah to build the ark, underscoring Noah's obedience born from this distinctive relationship and character.

Genesis 6 9 Word analysis

• "These are the generations of Noah." (אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ, 'elleh toldot Noach)

  • 'elleh (these): A demonstrative pronoun that points forward, indicating that what follows is the account pertaining to Noah.
  • toldot (generations/account/history): This key Hebrew term marks a division or a genealogical and historical section in Genesis. It signifies the "offspring" or "outcome" of someone, often leading to a new narrative phase derived from that individual. For Noah, it initiates the detailed account of his life, his family, and the events of the flood, emphasizing his pivotal role in God's redemptive timeline.
  • Noach (Noah): His name means "rest" or "comfort," a meaning explicitly linked to his birth in Gen 5:29, prophesying his role in bringing relief from the ground cursed by God.

• "Noah was a righteous man," (אִישׁ צַדִּיק הָיָה נֹחַ, ish tzaddiq hayah Noach)

  • ish (man): A standard term for a male human being.
  • tzaddiq (righteous): From the root tzedeq, implying "justice" or "uprightness." It describes someone who adheres to God's moral and ethical standards, demonstrating right conduct and a proper relationship with God. This "righteousness" is not inherently self-achieved sinlessness, but a standing before God characterized by faithful obedience and right living in accordance with His will, often implying divine enablement or imputation as later seen with Abraham's faith.
  • hayah (was): Indicates a continuous state of being or character.

• "blameless in his generations;" (תָּמִים הָיָה בְּדֹרֹתָיו, tamim hayah bidorotav)

  • tamim (blameless/complete/whole/sound/perfect): This adjective describes integrity and moral purity, frequently used for sacrifices that are "unblemished." Applied to a person, it conveys sincere loyalty to God and a life lived without moral defects or hypocrisy in God's eyes. It suggests a complete and undivided devotion.
  • bidorotav (in his generations/in his age/among his contemporaries):
    • be- (in/among): A preposition indicating location within a specific context.
    • dorotav (his generations): This is a critical modifier. It clarifies that Noah's blamelessness was particularly striking relative to his era's profound wickedness. It contrasts him sharply with the morally corrupted "all flesh" (Gen 6:12). This does not imply absolute perfection (as demonstrated later by his human failing in Gen 9:20-23) but an unparalleled integrity and uprightness for his time, making him distinct among a thoroughly corrupt humanity.

• "Noah walked with God." (אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֵּךְ נֹחַ, et-ha'Elohim hithallekh Noach)

  • et-ha'Elohim (with God): The preposition et denotes close association and communion with God. Ha'Elohim refers to the one true God, signifying Noah's devotion to the Lord, not pagan deities.
  • hithallekh (walked): This is the Hithpael stem of the verb halakh ("to walk"). The Hithpael form signifies a continuous, deliberate, and reflexive action, implying an ongoing, active, and intimate relationship. It's a Hebrew idiom conveying deep, consistent fellowship, obedience, and alignment with God's will. This phrase directly echoes Enoch's similar description (Gen 5:22, 24), highlighting a continuity of true, living faith and companionship with the divine, a rare exception in both men's times.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "righteous man, blameless": These two descriptors work in conjunction. "Righteous" defines Noah's correct standing and conduct before God (his doing what is right), while "blameless" describes his inner character—his integrity and wholeness of heart (his being sound). Together, they establish a robust picture of his exemplary piety.
  • "blameless in his generations": This crucial phrase specifies the environment against which Noah's character shone brightly. He was distinct amidst the surrounding moral decay. It emphasizes the radical nature of his integrity when all others had "corrupted their way," underscoring God's discerning eye in identifying and preserving a righteous remnant.
  • "walked with God": This is the climax of Noah's character description. It goes beyond static virtues, pointing to a dynamic, living, and profound personal relationship with the Creator. This walking implies ongoing communion, obedient trust, and responsiveness to God's leadings, which would be supremely demonstrated in the task of ark-building. It is this living relationship that undergirds his righteousness and blamelessness.

Genesis 6 9 Bonus section

• God's Discernment: This verse highlights God's omniscience and righteous judgment. While the whole earth was corrupt, God was able to discern and identify a single righteous man, Noah, demonstrating that His justice is perfectly balanced with His grace.
• The Toledot Structure as Divine Order: The recurring toledot formula throughout Genesis establishes a divinely ordered history of redemption. Noah's toledot signifies a new covenantal starting point for humanity, a continuation of God's redemptive purpose through a preserved lineage, ultimately leading to Abraham and the nation of Israel, and finally, Christ.
• A "Remnant" Principle: Noah's preservation introduces the biblical theme of the "righteous remnant." Even when humanity collectively turns away, God preserves a faithful few through whom His plans will continue, foreshadowing His work with Israel and later with the church.
• Imputed Righteousness vs. Actual Righteousness: While Noah demonstrated actual righteousness through his actions and character, the New Testament's understanding of "righteousness by faith" (e.g., Rom 4:3, Heb 11:7) implies that his standing was also a gift from God based on his faith. This doesn't negate his righteous conduct but anchors it in divine grace and responsive faith.
• Prophetic Parallel: The state of Noah's world is often used as a prophetic type for the conditions before Christ's second coming (Matt 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-27), reinforcing the need for believers to maintain their "walk with God" and "righteousness" in morally declining ages.

Genesis 6 9 Commentary

Genesis 6:9 succinctly yet profoundly encapsulates the character of Noah, the individual chosen by God for the preservation of humanity and life. Coming after the tragic narrative of rampant human wickedness, this verse acts as a beacon of hope and a divine rationale for God's act of favor. The descriptions are carefully chosen: Noah was not just generally good, but specifically "righteous" (tzaddiq) in his adherence to God's commands and moral uprightness. He was also "blameless" (tamim), signifying his integrity, moral soundness, and undivided loyalty to God, which stood in stark contrast to the utter corruption of his contemporaries. The phrase "in his generations" underscores that his integrity was exceptional precisely because it existed within an unprecedentedly wicked world, marking him as unique and uninfluenced by the prevailing depravity.

Most profoundly, "Noah walked with God." This idiom describes a life of intimate, ongoing fellowship, habitual obedience, and faithful communion with the Lord. It implies a deeply spiritual relationship where God's will was sought and followed, regardless of worldly influences or logical difficulties, as exemplified by his obedience to build the ark without prior knowledge of rain or a flood. This active faith and deep connection were the foundation of his righteousness and the very reason he "found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen 6:8). Noah's character thus highlights that even in the darkest of times, it is possible through faith and grace to live in such a way that honors God and becomes a vessel for His redemptive purposes. His life stands as an enduring example for believers to live distinctive, faithful lives in any generation, embodying the integrity and intimate communion that truly walking with God entails.