Genesis 7:1 kjv

And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 7:1 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.

Genesis 7:1 niv

The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

Genesis 7:1 esv

Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 7:1 nlt

When everything was ready, the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous.

Genesis 7 verses

Genesis 7 1 Meaning

Genesis 7:1 signifies the LORD's divine directive to Noah to enter the ark with his entire household, preceding the imminent universal flood. This command is predicated on God's observation and acknowledgment of Noah's singular righteousness and blamelessness in the midst of a morally depraved generation. It underscores God's justice in judging the wicked and His grace in providing a means of salvation for those who live according to His standards. The ark represents the unique vessel of deliverance provided by God Himself.

Genesis 7 1 Context

Genesis 7:1 marks a critical transition following God's decision to destroy the world due to its pervasive wickedness, as described in Genesis 6. The previous chapter established Noah's unique position as a "righteous man, blameless in his generation, and Noah walked with God" (Gen 6:9), distinguishing him from humanity which had become "corrupt before God" and "filled with violence" (Gen 6:11-12). God had given Noah detailed instructions for building the ark and making preparations for preserving life (Gen 6:14-21), and Noah diligently obeyed all God commanded (Gen 6:22). Chapter 7 opens with the direct, immediate command for Noah and his family to enter the already prepared ark, signifying the impending fulfillment of God's judgment and promise of salvation. The ancient cultural context underscores the stark contrast between Noah's obedience and the pervasive wickedness of his contemporaries, highlighting God's moral governance over the earth, in stark contrast to pagan flood narratives driven by capricious deities.

Genesis 7 1 Word analysis

Word-by-word analysis:

• Then (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyōmer): This Hebrew conjunction typically translated "and he said" marks a sequential transition, indicating that this is the next significant event or communication in the narrative after Noah's complete obedience in building the ark. It signals the imminence of the flood.
• the LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is God's personal, covenantal name. Its use here emphasizes His specific, relational action towards Noah, distinct from the more generic 'Elohim' (God). It underscores the faithfulness of the God who enters into covenant with humanity.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyōmer): Reiterates direct, explicit divine communication, highlighting the clear and personal nature of the command to Noah. God initiates and gives precise instructions.
• to Noah (לְנֹחַ, le-Noakh): Singular address, indicating a direct, personal call to the one chosen. Noah is the recipient of God's favor and instructions.
• Go (בֹא, boʼ): A forceful imperative. It’s an immediate command for action, signifying that the time for entering the ark has arrived. It conveys urgency and the conclusion of preparation.
• into the ark (אֶל־הַתֵּבָה, el-ha-tevah): "Ark" (tevah) refers specifically to Noah's vessel and Moses' basket (Ex 2:3, 5), denoting a unique, divinely designated vessel of salvation or preservation, not a typical ship. It is a refuge from God's judgment.
• you (אַתָּה, ʻattah): An emphatic pronoun, specifically pointing to Noah, central to God's redemptive plan for this era.
• and all your household (וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ, ve-khol-beitkha): Signifies comprehensive salvation extending beyond the individual righteous man to his immediate family. This often recurs in scripture (e.g., Acts 16:31), where the faith of the head of the household impacts the household's deliverance.
• for (כִּי, ki): This conjunction introduces the reason or justification for the command. God’s actions are always founded on justice and reason, not caprice.
• I have seen (אֹתְךָ רָאִיתִי, ʼotkha raʼitiy): Emphasizes God's omniscience and personal observation. It’s not merely perceiving but divinely discerning and judging Noah's inner character and actions as righteous. God's knowledge is foundational to His judgments and mercies.
• that you alone (אֹתְךָ לְבַדֶּךָ, ʼotkha levadeka): The "alone" highlights Noah's distinct and singular standing. In a world utterly corrupted, Noah stood out as truly righteous. This underlines the severity of the global depravity and the uniqueness of Noah's position.
• are righteous (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): Refers to being in right relationship with God, morally upright, just, and conforming to God's standards. Noah's righteousness was not relative but absolute in God's eyes.
• before Me (לְפָנַי, lefanay): Specifies the standard by which righteousness is judged – God’s own divine standard, not human opinion or a cultural norm. Living "before God" implies a life lived in conscious awareness of His presence and demands.
• in this generation (בַּדּוֹר הַזֶּה, ba-dor hazzeh): Emphasizes the temporal and moral context. Noah's righteousness is starkly contrasted with the profound wickedness that characterized his entire contemporary generation, for whom judgment was appointed.

Words-group analysis:

• Then the LORD said to Noah: Highlights God's initiative and direct communication with His chosen one, setting in motion the fulfillment of His previously stated plans. It shows God as active and decisive in judgment and salvation.
• Go into the ark, you and all your household: A life-saving command. It emphasizes the divinely provided means of deliverance (the ark) and the extent of God's salvation, which graciously includes Noah's immediate family. This demonstrates God's heart for the preservation of a household for the sake of one righteous person.
• for I have seen that you alone are righteous before Me in this generation: This clause reveals the profound basis of divine grace and judgment. God's comprehensive knowledge of humanity informs His actions. Noah's unique righteousness (righteousness before God) is the singular justification for his and his family's deliverance in a generation marked for destruction. It powerfully illustrates that God always preserves a remnant or an individual who remains faithful amidst widespread apostasy.

Genesis 7 1 Bonus section

• The timing of this command is crucial; it comes after Noah has completed all the immense work of building the ark and gathering the animals, demonstrating God's faithfulness to deliver at the appointed time following obedient preparation.
• The uniqueness of Noah's righteousness, described as "blameless" (Gen 6:9) and now "alone righteous," highlights God's demand for holiness and the tragic spiritual condition of the pre-flood world, where only eight people out of potentially billions were found worthy of salvation. This reinforces the concept of a "righteous remnant."
• The tevah (ark) is only mentioned in the Bible in reference to Noah's ark and the basket that carried baby Moses. Both are divinely designed, waterborne vessels of salvation from judgment/death, carrying key figures through destructive waters to new beginnings, underscoring God's specific method of preservation.
• The flood itself is presented not as a chaotic natural disaster but as a purposeful act of divine judgment, reflecting God's sorrow over human depravity and His resolve to cleanse the earth, beginning anew with Noah's family.

Genesis 7 1 Commentary

Genesis 7:1 marks the precise moment God activates His plan for the pre-flood judgment and a specific salvation. The divine command to Noah, "Go into the ark," is an urgent invitation into God's provision for deliverance from His own righteous wrath. The focus immediately shifts from ark building to ark entry, emphasizing the imminence of judgment.

The critical justification for Noah's salvation is laid out: "for I have seen that you alone are righteous before Me in this generation." This affirms that God's judgment is not arbitrary but is perfectly just, rooted in His omniscient observation of humanity. Noah's righteousness was not perfect, but it was unique and genuine in a world that was utterly corrupt and violent. It was a righteousness "before God," meaning it met God's high standard, setting him apart from all his contemporaries. This implies not merely external adherence but an inward moral disposition aligning with God's will.

The inclusion of "all your household" demonstrates God's expansive grace. While Noah's individual righteousness was the condition for finding favor, God extended the grace of salvation to his entire family through his faithful obedience. The ark serves as a powerful theological type or foreshadowing: it is a divine sanctuary, a place of refuge and safety from God's wrath, a prototype of salvation through water (as noted in 1 Peter 3:20-21). It illustrates God's active involvement in securing the salvation of those He chooses, demonstrating His holiness, justice, patience, and unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The verse also underscores that genuine righteousness, judged by God, is the pathway to divine favor and salvation, often resulting in protection in times of impending judgment.