Genesis 8:15 kjv

And God spake unto Noah, saying,

Genesis 8:15 nkjv

Then God spoke to Noah, saying,

Genesis 8:15 niv

Then God said to Noah,

Genesis 8:15 esv

Then God said to Noah,

Genesis 8:15 nlt

Then God said to Noah,

Genesis 8 verses

Genesis 8 15 Meaning

Genesis 8:15 signifies a pivotal moment as God directly commands Noah and his family to exit the ark. This divine instruction marks the definitive end of the global flood's active phase, transitioning from God's preservation during judgment to the renewed mandate for humanity to repopulate and cultivate the cleansed earth. It represents God's initiated new beginning for creation and the human race.

Genesis 8 15 Context

Genesis 8:15 takes place after the destructive flood has receded, the earth has dried, and Noah has already sent out raven and dove to discern the state of the world. Crucially, Noah does not leave the ark on his own initiative. He waits for an explicit divine command, demonstrating his ongoing obedience and reliance on God's timing. The preceding verses (8:13-14) highlight God's direct role in drying the earth and Noah's verification of it. The broader context of Genesis chapters 6-9 illustrates God's sovereign judgment on human wickedness through the flood, His faithful preservation of Noah and his family, and His subsequent establishment of a new covenant with them and with all creation, signifying a new beginning for humanity.

Genesis 8 15 Word analysis

• Then God said: (וַיְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים - wa-yə-ḏab-bêr ’ĕlō-hîm). This common biblical phrase emphasizes divine initiative and authoritative communication. "God" ('ĕlōhîm) highlights the Creator God's power and sovereignty over all life and events. It indicates a direct, personal instruction, not a random occurrence.
• to Noah,: (’el-nō-aḥ). Singular focus on Noah, indicating his unique position as the chosen recipient of God's directive, underscoring his pivotal role as the patriarch for the renewed humanity. It implies an ongoing personal relationship with God.
• "Go out: (צֵא - tsê'; imperative, kal stem). A strong, active, and immediate command. It's not an invitation or suggestion but an authoritative directive to depart from the confined space of the ark. This "going out" signifies a movement from a place of shelter/judgment to a new, purposeful life on the renewed earth.
• from the ark,: (מן-הַתֵּבָה - min-hat-tê-ḇāh). The "ark" (תֵּבָה - tevah) symbolizes salvation, a sanctuary during divine judgment. Leaving it signifies the end of the crisis, the completion of God's preservation work within it, and the return to an external world made fit for habitation.
• you and your wife: This specifies the foundational family unit. The man and woman, as husband and wife, are the basis for new life and procreation, in keeping with the creation mandate.
• and your sons: Represents the immediate continuation of Noah's direct lineage.
• and your sons' wives with you.": Encompasses the entire preserved household and the full genetic foundation for future generations. "With you" emphasizes the unity and completeness of the group divinely preserved and commissioned.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then God said to Noah, 'Go out'": This phrase underlines God's precise timing and direct supervision of Noah's departure. Noah's action is not a personal decision but an obedient response to divine instruction, highlighting God's continuous guidance after a period of passive preservation. This contrasts with chaotic flood myths where survivors fend for themselves.
• "from the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives with you": This inclusive listing specifies all members of the preserved family, eight in total, as those whom God has chosen to recommission. It highlights the biblical emphasis on the family unit as the core structure for repopulation and the continuation of humanity. This meticulously named group underscores that the preservation was comprehensive and intentional, providing the complete foundation for a new beginning.

Genesis 8 15 Bonus section

• The immediate and explicit command for Noah to exit the ark underscores that divine actions are always ordered and purposeful. God does not abandon Noah and his family but provides clear guidance for the next phase of their existence.
• This verse counters ancient Near Eastern myths where post-flood survivors often found themselves disoriented and having to figure out how to live without clear divine instruction or having to placate angry, fickle deities. In the biblical account, the single, holy God gives a clear, beneficent command.
• The detail of listing each family member reinforces the principle that every life is valued and purposefully included in God's plan for renewal, representing all of post-flood humanity.

Genesis 8 15 Commentary

Genesis 8:15 encapsulates the divine initiative marking the dawn of a new era. God’s direct command for Noah and his family to "Go out" is more than a mere release; it is a sacred commission to re-engage with the renewed creation and fulfill the original mandate to "be fruitful and multiply." This instruction immediately follows the careful waiting period, highlighting God’s sovereign control over the timing of all events. Noah’s prior obedience (Gen 6:22) sets the stage for his responsiveness here. The command includes the entire household, signifying that the restoration is comprehensive, emphasizing the family as the nucleus of God's design for human society. This moment is the theological bridge from divine judgment to new life, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing His plan to fruition. It speaks to God's providence, not only in preservation but also in direction and purpose for the path forward.