Genesis 8:1 kjv

And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;

Genesis 8:1 nkjv

Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.

Genesis 8:1 niv

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.

Genesis 8:1 esv

But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.

Genesis 8:1 nlt

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.

Genesis 8 verses

Genesis 8 1 Meaning

Genesis 8:1 declares God's steadfast remembrance of Noah and all living creatures with him in the ark, signifying a pivotal shift from divine judgment to active deliverance and a renewed promise of life. God's act of "remembering" is not mere recollection but a proactive and redemptive intervention, manifesting His faithful commitment to His creation. He initiates the drying of the earth through a powerful wind, demonstrating His sovereignty over natural forces and the immediate reversal of the destructive floodwaters.

Genesis 8 1 Context

Genesis chapter 8 marks a dramatic turning point in the Flood narrative. Chapters 6 and 7 depict God's profound grief over human wickedness, leading to a decision of judgment through the global flood. Noah, his family, and representative pairs of all creatures are preserved within the ark. Genesis 7 concludes with the peak of the flood's destructive power, with "all flesh" dying outside the ark, and the waters prevailing for 150 days. Genesis 8:1 serves as the divine initiation of the flood's cessation and the start of earth's renewal, transitioning from judgment to the promise of new life. Historically and culturally, this passage would resonate with ancient Near Eastern audiences familiar with flood myths, presenting a distinct understanding of God's character: not capricious but righteous, just, and covenant-keeping, who actively intervenes and remembers His elect even in the midst of global catastrophe.

Genesis 8 1 Word analysis

• But God: (וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים - Va-yizkor Elohim) This opening phrase is emphatic. The Hebrew Elohim signifies God's supreme power, His role as Creator and Judge, yet here it is the compassionate "God" who acts. The "but" ("And" in some translations) marks a profound change, contrasting the preceding judgment with divine initiative towards salvation. It highlights that even amidst devastating judgment, God retains sovereign control and never forgets His promise.
• remembered: (זָכַר - zachor) More than a simple mental recall, zachor in Hebrew biblical context signifies active, purposeful, and effective engagement. It means to call to mind with a view to action, to care for, to manifest a covenant relationship. God's "remembering" Noah initiates a direct divine intervention for rescue and restoration, demonstrating His faithfulness to His promise of preserving life through Noah. This contrasts sharply with humans forgetting God.
• Noah: (נֹחַ - Noach) The righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood, he is the head of the preserved human family, and implicitly, the representative of future humanity and a new covenant.
• and all the beasts: (וְכָל-הַבְּהֵמָה - v’chol ha-behemah)
• and all the livestock: (וְכָל-הַמִּקְנֶה - v’chol ha-miqneh) These phrases highlight God's expansive care, not limited to humanity but extending to all categories of animal life on the ark. It underscores His comprehensive concern for creation, reflecting the initial creation mandate to populate the earth and fill it, and foreshadows the broader post-flood covenant with "every living creature."
• that were with him in the ark: (אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ בַּתֵּבָה - asher itto ba-tevah) Emphasizes God's protection of all life sheltered under Noah's care and His divine decree within the ark. The ark itself represents the sphere of God's miraculous preservation.
• And God made a wind blow: (וַיַּעֲבֵר אֱלֹהִים רוּחַ - vaya'aveer Elohim ruach) This describes God's direct physical intervention. Ruach (רוּחַ) is a rich Hebrew term meaning "wind," "breath," or "spirit." Here, it's a mighty, forceful wind sent by God, an instrument of divine purpose. This "ruach" parallels the "Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters" in Gen 1:2, hinting at a new creation or re-ordering of chaos, suggesting God's creative power is now engaged in restoration.
• over the earth: (עַל-הָאָרֶץ - al ha'aretz) Signifies the scope of this divine action—global, encompassing the entire submerged land.
• and the waters subsided: (וַיָּשֹׁכּוּ הַמָּיִם - vayshokku ha-mayim) The verb shakhakh (שָׁכַךְ) means to abate, assuage, or subside. This confirms the efficacy of God's command; the overwhelming waters begin to recede and diminish under His sovereign command. This marks the beginning of the end of the flood and the re-emergence of dry land.

Word Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark.": This entire clause emphasizes God's unilateral action motivated by His faithful nature. His remembrance is not accidental; it is a purposeful, active recalling of His commitment to the beings He has preserved. It establishes His care not just for Noah, but for the full scope of His creation within the ark. This also sets God apart from human limitations of memory and capability.
• "And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.": This phrase describes the divine mechanics of the flood's reversal. The ruach is God's tool, actively changing the earth's state. It shifts the narrative from passive waiting in the ark to dynamic, divine work, beginning the process of restoration and making the land habitable once more. This illustrates God's sovereignty over natural phenomena.

Genesis 8 1 Bonus section

The active "remembering" (zachor) of God in Gen 8:1 is a crucial theological concept found throughout Scripture. It is always connected to God's covenant promises and leads to action on His part. It contrasts with God's "forgetting" in judgment (e.g., Amos 8:7), signifying His withdrawal of favor. Thus, Noah 8:1 illustrates a profound shift from a period of divine "non-remembrance" (in the sense of not intervening to stop judgment) to active remembrance that brings about salvation and a new covenant. This verse also foreshadows a pattern of divine deliverance after a period of intense trial, a theme common throughout salvation history, pointing ultimately to Christ's redemption. The "ruach" could also be seen as an early intimation of the Holy Spirit's role in bringing order and life.

Genesis 8 1 Commentary

Genesis 8:1 is a profoundly significant verse, marking the definitive transition from divine judgment to mercy and restoration in the flood narrative. It is anchored in God's character as a covenant-keeping, sovereign Lord. "But God remembered" signifies more than a cognitive recollection; it represents an active turning point where God's intentionality and faithfulness bring about salvation. This remembrance is not solely for Noah, but comprehensively extends to "all the beasts and all the livestock," underscoring God's holistic care for His entire creation.

The immediate consequence of God's remembrance is His active intervention: "God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided." The ruach (wind) is a powerful, divinely dispatched force, reminiscent of God's creative Spirit at the beginning of creation (Gen 1:2), signifying a re-ordering of chaos and a fresh beginning. This demonstrates God's absolute control over the forces He unleashed. This divine action brings hope to the inhabitants of the ark and foreshadows the renewal of life on earth. It reveals a God who is intimately involved in His creation, even when exercising judgment, always with a view towards restoration and the keeping of His promises. It assures believers of God's steadfast love and intervention in times of trouble.