Genesis 8:11 kjv

And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

Genesis 8:11 nkjv

Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.

Genesis 8:11 niv

When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.

Genesis 8:11 esv

And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.

Genesis 8:11 nlt

This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone.

Genesis 8 verses

Genesis 8 11 Meaning

Genesis 8:11 describes the second return of the dove to Noah in the ark. This pivotal moment provided definitive evidence to Noah that the universal floodwaters had receded significantly from the earth, and new, thriving vegetation had begun to appear. The fresh olive leaf held in the dove's beak served as a concrete sign of life renewed, representing the promise of dry land and a coming restoration, thus ending a period of isolation and uncertainty for those inside the ark.

Genesis 8 11 Context

Genesis chapter 8 describes the progressive abatement of the floodwaters and Noah's cautious exploration of the earth's state. After 150 days of the waters prevailing (Gen 7:24, 8:3), God "remembered Noah" (Gen 8:1), causing a wind to blow and the waters to subside. The ark finally rested on the mountains of Ararat (Gen 8:4). Noah then waited 40 days before opening the window and first sending out a raven, which did not return (Gen 8:6-7). This indicated the raven found dry enough places and sustenance outside the ark, but offered no direct sign of earth's suitability for human dwelling. Seven days later, Noah sent a dove, which returned, finding no place to rest its feet, indicating vast water coverage (Gen 8:8-9). Genesis 8:11 is the crucial second sending of the dove, another seven days later (Gen 8:10), specifically in the evening, providing the tangible proof that Noah awaited: an olive leaf. This established a pattern of observation, patience, and reliance on distinct signs as the earth moved from a state of chaotic deluge to one fit for renewed life.

Genesis 8 11 Word analysis

• And the dove (וְהַיּוֹנָה, vehayonah)

  • יוֹנָה (yonah): "Dove" or "pigeon." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the dove was known for its purity, gentleness, and homing instinct. Here, its return signifies Noah's only reliable source of information about the outer world. As a clean bird (Lev 1:14), its activity could be trusted as part of God's unfolding plan, unlike the raven, a scavenger. Later, the dove became a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:16) and peace.

• came in (וַתָּבֹא, vatavo) to him

  • וַתָּבֹא (vatavo): A consecutive perfect, indicating the immediate and certain action of the dove's return to Noah. The previous dove "found no resting place for the sole of her foot" and returned; this dove successfully completed its reconnaissance and brought back news.

• in the evening (עֵת עֶרֶב, et erev)

  • עֵת עֶרֶב (et erev): Literally "time of evening." This specific time might carry symbolic weight, signifying the end of a long period of darkness and judgment (the flood), hinting at the dawn of a new day, or era. It's the close of the day, yet the harbinger of a new beginning.

• and, lo, (וְהִנֵּה, vehinneh)

  • וְהִנֵּה (vehinneh): An interjection meaning "and behold," "and look," or "indeed." It draws the reader's attention to a sudden, significant, and remarkable discovery, emphasizing the surprising nature and importance of what Noah saw.

• in her mouth (בְּפִיהָ, befihah) was an olive leaf (עֲלֵה זַיִת, aleh zayit)

  • בְּפִיהָ (befihah): "In her mouth." This detail underscores that the dove brought concrete proof, not just its presence. It's a tangible artifact of the renewed earth.
  • עֲלֵה זַיִת (aleh zayit): "Leaf of olive" or "olive leaf." The specificity of an "olive" leaf is crucial. Olive trees are resilient, long-lived, and signify prosperity, peace, and abundance in the Near East. They typically grow in fertile soil, indicating the ground was not just exposed but had sufficiently dried to sustain healthy, mature plant life. The olive leaf became a universal symbol of peace.

• plucked off (טָרָף, taraf)

  • טָרָף (taraf): Means "torn," "plucked," "freshly taken." This participle suggests the leaf was newly torn from a living tree, not a dry, dead leaf floating on the water or decaying debris. This implies recent, active growth and confirmed a viable environment.

• so Noah knew (וַיֵּדַע נֹחַ, vaiyeda Noach)

  • וַיֵּדַע (vaiyeda): From the root יָדַע (yada), "to know," which often implies experiential knowledge, deep understanding, and certainty. Noah's knowledge was not speculation but a divinely confirmed understanding based on the sign.

• that the waters were abated (כִּי־קַלּוּ הַמַּיִם, ki-qallu hammayim)

  • קַלּוּ (qallu): This verb form (qal, light) typically means "were lightened," "became shallow," "were lessened," or "were removed." It accurately conveys the idea of the immense weight and depth of the floodwaters being lifted and significantly diminished. It wasn't just "subsiding" in a general sense, but a decisive lightening and removal from the earth's surface.
  • הַמַּיִם (hammayim): "The waters."

• from off the earth (מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ, me'al ha'aretz)

  • מֵעַל (me'al): "From above," "from off." Specifies the location from which the waters had retreated.
  • הָאָרֶץ (ha'aretz): "The earth" or "the land." Referring to the solid ground, now increasingly uncovered and fit for life.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And the dove came in to him in the evening": This sequence highlights God's ongoing, faithful communication through natural signs. The dove's consistent return, especially in the "evening" after a long period of waiting, speaks of a gradual unfolding of divine revelation and the patience required during times of uncertainty.
  • "in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off": This phrase encapsulates the central message of the verse. The "olive leaf" symbolizes peace, life, and healing after devastation. "Plucked off" signifies that it was fresh and vibrant, not merely old debris floating, confirming new growth on dry land. This visual proof moved beyond mere reduction of water to evidence of flourishing life.
  • "so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth": This describes the result of Noah's patient observation. The sign led to sure knowledge ("knew" – yada implying deep, experiential understanding). It marks the transition from hope to confirmed reality, demonstrating God's sovereign control over creation and His steadfast plan to restore.

Genesis 8 11 Bonus section

The account of the dove and the olive leaf from Genesis 8:11 has permeated various cultures and spiritual traditions, making the "olive branch" a near-universal symbol of peace, reconciliation, and new hope. The story's layered meaning foreshadows the redemptive plan of God. While the physical olive leaf indicated dry land, its spiritual echoes resonate throughout scripture: the oil from olives for anointing and healing (Jam 5:14), the identity of Israel as an olive tree (Jer 11:16), and the Gentiles being grafted into this tree (Rom 11:17-24), alluding to God's continuous work of restoration and inclusion. Furthermore, the dove's later association with the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (Matt 3:16) subtly connects this Genesis event to a deeper spiritual "new beginning" offered through Christ, where the Spirit descends to bring God's peace and renewal to humanity. The imagery thus transcends its historical context, pointing towards an ultimate, divine restoration of all things.

Genesis 8 11 Commentary

Genesis 8:11 is a profound narrative turning point, offering more than just meteorological data. It symbolizes the dawn of a new era for creation. The arrival of the dove with a fresh olive leaf marked the decisive confirmation for Noah that the divine judgment of the flood had concluded, and life on earth was not only possible again but was actively regenerating. The carefully chosen symbol of the olive leaf, universally recognized for peace and life, provided the first tangible sign of God's covenantal intentions that would soon be formalized.

This seemingly small detail holds immense theological weight. It demonstrates God's persistent and compassionate engagement with humanity, even after judgment. Noah's patient sending of the dove reflects the human posture of hopeful expectation, while the dove's return with its message serves as God's faithful response. It's a testament to the fact that even through immense desolation, God provides pathways for restoration and new beginnings.

Practical usage:

• In times of distress or "floods" in one's life, look for and cling to small, concrete signs of God's grace or progress, like the olive leaf.
• The waiting period, like Noah's seven-day intervals, teaches patience and trust in God's timing, even when direct answers are delayed.