Genesis 7:16 kjv

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

Genesis 7:16 nkjv

So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.

Genesis 7:16 niv

The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

Genesis 7:16 esv

And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the LORD shut him in.

Genesis 7:16 nlt

A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD closed the door behind them.

Genesis 7 verses

Genesis 7 16 Meaning

Genesis 7:16 signifies the completion of the preparations for the flood, demonstrating Noah's faithful obedience and, critically, God's sovereign hand in sealing the ark. It marks the precise moment when the door of opportunity for the unrighteous was shut, securing those within the ark by divine intervention and commencing the period of judgment upon the earth. This verse emphasizes that salvation from divine wrath is entirely initiated and completed by God.

Genesis 7 16 Context

Genesis 7:16 concludes the scene of Noah, his family, and all the chosen animals entering the ark. The verses preceding (7:13-15) detail their entry, reiterating the vast number and variety of creatures involved. The overall context of Genesis chapters 6-9 is the narrative of God's universal judgment on a corrupt world through the Great Flood, alongside His meticulous preservation of a remnant to begin anew. Historically, the Genesis flood narrative provides a theological explanation for a cataclysmic event, countering common Ancient Near Eastern polytheistic flood myths (like Gilgamesh) which often depict divine capriciousness or human merit-based survival. Here, God's action is portrayed as a just response to pervasive wickedness, driven by His holy character and executed with purpose and sovereign control. The distinct mention of both "God" (Elohim) and "LORD" (Yahweh) underscores His general sovereignty and His specific covenantal relationship, respectively, especially significant to the original Israelite audience who understood the distinct names of God.

Genesis 7 16 Word analysis

• And those that entered (וְהַבָּאִים - v'habba'im): Lit. "and the ones entering/coming." The participle form emphasizes an ongoing action of entering which has now reached its completion. This is a confirmation that all were inside as instructed.
• male and female (זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה - zakhar unekevah): This repetition from earlier commands (Gen 6:19, 7:2-3) stresses the perfect obedience to God's detailed instructions and the methodical completeness of preservation for reproduction and repopulation.
• of all flesh (מִכֹּל־בָּשָׂר - mikkol-basar): "All flesh" signifies totality. It refers to all types of creatures chosen for preservation, mirroring the "all flesh" that will be destroyed by the flood, thus highlighting the selective preservation within the universal judgment. This demonstrates God's universal sovereignty.
• went in as God had commanded him (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֹתוֹ אֱלֹהִים - ka'asher tzivah oto Elohim): "As God commanded him" highlights Noah's perfect obedience. The use of "Elohim" (God) here, the generic but powerful name for God, signifies His general authority and the objective nature of His commands for creation and judgment. Noah's righteousness is linked to his meticulous adherence to these divine instructions.
• and the LORD shut him in (וַיִּסְגֹּר יְהוָה בַּעֲדוֹ - vayyisgor Yahweh ba'ado): This is the pivotal phrase.
  • "the LORD" (יְהוָה - Yahweh): The covenantal name of God, indicating His personal, redemptive, and active involvement. It's Yahweh who directly acts, not merely Elohim. This implies a deeply personal concern for Noah and His own redemptive plan. This switch from Elohim (in the command) to Yahweh (in the decisive act) is crucial: Noah obeyed the Creator (Elohim), but the Covenant God (Yahweh) then secures and protects him.
  • "shut him in" (וַיִּסְגֹּר - vayyisgor): The verb is sagar, meaning "to close," "to shut," "to bolt." The Hiphil causative stem used here (vayvissgōr) strongly implies divine agency: "He caused him (i.e., the ark's opening, by implication the whole ark for Noah and its inhabitants) to be shut." This means God Himself took action, physically closing the ark's door. This is not something Noah did. It signals:
    • Divine Initiative: God closes, not Noah. It secures salvation from outside human interference and signifies divine protection.
    • Finality: Once shut by God, it cannot be opened by humans. This ends the period of grace for those outside and begins the judgment. It's an irreversible act.
    • Protection: The ark's integrity and safety are secured by God Himself.
    • Exclusion/Inclusion: It marks the boundary between salvation (within) and destruction (without).

Words-group analysis:

• "those that entered, male and female of all flesh": Emphasizes the completed population of the ark, mirroring the detailed instructions God had given earlier. This completion speaks to the precision of God's command and Noah's meticulous execution. It foreshadows the renewal of life.
• "went in as God had commanded him": Reinforces Noah's faithfulness and obedience. It grounds the subsequent divine action in Noah's righteous response, highlighting that salvation and divine protection follow obedience to God's word. It’s the final testament to Noah’s unwavering commitment.
• "and the LORD shut him in": This is the climax of the verse. It asserts God's ultimate sovereignty and personal intervention. This act of "shutting" is symbolic: it is God taking control of the entire process, physically securing Noah and sealing the doom of the outside world. This move from human compliance to divine completion signifies that true security and judgment reside solely in God's hands.

Genesis 7 16 Bonus section

The deliberate shift in divine names from "God" (Elohim) in Noah's obedience (7:1, 7:5, 7:9) to "the LORD" (Yahweh) for the act of closing the ark door (7:16) is a significant rhetorical and theological choice. While Elohim emphasizes God as the supreme, all-powerful Creator and Judge of the universe, Yahweh underscores His covenantal faithfulness, personal relationship, and intimate involvement with His chosen people (Noah and his family). This subtle but powerful distinction indicates that Noah's entry was a response to a universal command, but his preservation was sealed by the specific, personal, redemptive care of Yahweh. The door closed by Yahweh speaks volumes about His commitment to save His own and to execute His righteous judgment precisely when He ordains it.

Genesis 7 16 Commentary

Genesis 7:16 is a critical pivot in the flood narrative, marking the divine sealing of judgment and the inauguration of God's deliverance for those inside the ark. Noah and the animals completed their entrance "as God had commanded," underscoring the vital role of obedient faith in securing God's favor and protection. However, the agency then dramatically shifts from human obedience to divine action: "the LORD shut him in." This powerful, sovereign act of the LORD (Yahweh, the covenant God) carries immense theological weight. It signifies the absolute closure of opportunity for repentance and entry for the world outside. For those inside, it was the ultimate act of security and assurance of protection by the divine hand. The unassailable barrier between those saved by grace through faith and the world appointed for judgment was definitively established by God Himself. This act confirms that salvation is a divine prerogative, initiated and consummated by God's own will and power, not by human effort or ability. It is a striking picture of God's definitive establishment of salvation and judgment boundaries, from which there is no appeal.