Genesis 8:8 kjv

Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;

Genesis 8:8 nkjv

He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground.

Genesis 8:8 niv

Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground.

Genesis 8:8 esv

Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground.

Genesis 8:8 nlt

He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground.

Genesis 8 verses

Genesis 8 8 Meaning

Genesis 8:8 describes Noah's second attempt to gauge the earth's condition after the Flood. Having sent out a raven that did not provide a clear indication, Noah then released a dove from the Ark. The specific purpose was "to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground," indicating a strategic and hopeful action by Noah to discern whether dry land was emerging and safe to disembark, following the divine promise of restoration. This act signifies patient discernment and the longing for new beginnings after judgment.

Genesis 8 8 Context

Genesis chapter 8 describes the progressive abatement of the Flood waters. After God remembered Noah (Gen 8:1), the waters began to recede, a process spanning many days. Noah's initial attempt to gauge the earth's state was sending a raven (Gen 8:7), which, being a scavenger, likely found carrion and did not return as a clear indicator of dry land suitable for human habitation. This specific verse (Gen 8:8) marks Noah's subsequent, more deliberate, and hopeful action with the dove. Noah is exhibiting both faith in God's promise to restore the earth and prudence in testing the conditions before taking definitive action to leave the Ark. The historical context is a post-cataclysmic world, where humanity is contained within a single vessel, patiently waiting for divine deliverance and a new beginning. The sending of the birds represents the sole means of reconnaissance from within the confined ark.

Genesis 8 8 Word analysis

• And he sent forth (וַיְשַׁלַּח, vayishlach): Derived from the root שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send, let go, extend." This active verb emphasizes Noah's deliberate action. Unlike the raven, which perhaps he simply let out, sending the dove implies a specific purpose and expectation of return, as doves are known to return home. It showcases Noah's methodical and purposeful seeking of information.
• a dove (הַיּוֹנָה, hayyonah): The definite article "the" suggests it was the dove chosen for this specific, symbolic purpose. The Hebrew word יוֹנָה (yonah) refers specifically to a dove or pigeon, known for being clean birds (unlike the raven) and for their homing instinct. Culturally, doves were associated with peace and messengers, distinct from the scavenging raven sent previously. Its choice highlights a shift towards hope and an expectation of conditions for life.
• from him (מֵאִתּוֹ, me'itto): Emphasizes that Noah personally dispatched the bird from his own immediate vicinity or person within the ark. It highlights his direct involvement and intention in this reconnaissance mission.
• to see (לִרְאוֹת, lirot): The infinitive "to see" (from רָאָה, ra'ah) indicates the explicit purpose of Noah's action. He wasn't simply releasing the bird; he was dispatching a scout to gain specific visual evidence about the receding waters. This reflects Noah's intelligent and patient seeking of confirmation.
• if the waters were abated (הֲקַלּוּ הַמַּיִם, haqallu hammayim): The interrogative particle הֲ (ha-) implies a direct question or inquiry: "whether" or "if" the waters had "lightened" or "lessened." The verb קָלַל (qalal) means to be light, swift, or, in this context, to recede or diminish. This specific phrasing confirms that Noah was looking for a measurable and observable change in the water level and its effect on the ground, not just whether some land had appeared. He was looking for evidence of the full recession necessary for sustained life outside the Ark.
• from off the face of the ground (מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, me'al p'ney ha'adamah): Literally "from upon the face of the earth." "Face of the ground" is an idiomatic expression (פָּנִים, panim, means "face") meaning the surface. It indicates that the observation needed to confirm that the waters had receded sufficiently not just to expose mountaintops but to uncover the surface of the general land, allowing for vegetation and stable footing. This suggests a desire for broad habitable areas rather than isolated peaks.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And he sent forth a dove from him": This contrasts sharply with the earlier raven (Gen 8:7). The raven was sent, suggesting an unclean bird, which, by its nature, would stay if it found a food source (like carrion) after the flood. The dove, a clean and homing bird, was dispatched from Noah personally, carrying with it a hope for a new, clean world, signifying a methodical and expectant probe rather than a mere release.
• "to see if the waters were abated": This phrase highlights Noah's careful, systematic approach. He is not just trusting blind faith, but actively seeking tangible proof. This portrays Noah as a person of both deep faith and practical wisdom, who acts on evidence while trusting in divine guidance. The careful inquiry emphasizes that the simple disappearance of water wasn't enough; he needed assurance of conditions suitable for new life.
• "from off the face of the ground": This clarifies the precise level of abatement Noah was looking for. It wasn't enough for just the highest mountain peaks to emerge. The desire was for the broader "face" or surface of the land to be clear, indicating widespread readiness for habitation and a return to normal terrestrial life. This also alludes to Gen 1, where dry land appears from the water, signifying a new creation and an end to the flood's devastation.

Genesis 8 8 Bonus section

• The meticulous dating system throughout Genesis 7-8 emphasizes God's precise timing and control over the duration and cessation of the Flood, underpinning Noah's waiting period. Each day and period noted adds to the certainty of the divine plan.
• The contrast between the raven (Gen 8:7) and the dove serves as a significant literary and symbolic device. The raven, often associated with wildness and scavenging, does not return definitively, signifying a world still dominated by death and carrion. The dove, a domestic and "clean" bird, represents life and eventual peace, anticipating the rebirth of creation and the future covenant with Noah. This avian pair encapsulates the transition from judgment to renewed life.
• Noah's action highlights an early example of humanity using natural means of observation (the birds) to understand divine progression. It's not blind faith but an active, intelligent waiting on God, demonstrating a synergistic relationship between human discernment and divine sovereignty. This foreshadows a pattern of seeking and receiving revelation.

Genesis 8 8 Commentary

Genesis 8:8 marks a significant pivot in the Flood narrative, demonstrating Noah's patient and prudent search for evidence of God's restorative work. Following the inconclusive flight of the raven, the sending of the dove, a cleaner and symbolically purer bird, signals a renewed sense of hope and a more refined quest for signs of life. Noah’s repeated actions—sending the birds multiple times over a period—illustrate enduring patience and the importance of verification. He does not act rashly but methodically, gathering information through natural means while remaining steadfast in his faith. This act reflects a broader theological truth: while God sovereignly controls all things, human beings are often called to act with discernment, employing the means available to them to understand His unfolding will. The choice of the dove foreshadows its later symbolic associations with peace, the Holy Spirit, and a new covenant, making Noah's hopeful reconnaissance a powerful emblem of the dawning of a new era.