Genesis 9:13 kjv

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13 nkjv

I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13 niv

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13 esv

I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:13 nlt

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.

Genesis 9 verses

Genesis 9 13 Meaning

God establishes the rainbow, a visible spectacle of colors in the sky, as the enduring sign and token of His solemn promise and covenant with Noah and all living beings on the earth. This sign perpetually signifies God's vow that He will never again destroy all flesh and the earth by a flood of waters.

Genesis 9 13 Context

Genesis chapter 9 follows directly after the Great Flood, signifying a new beginning for humanity and creation. Noah and his family, along with all living creatures, have exited the ark onto a cleansed earth. In the preceding verses (9:1-7), God blesses Noah, gives directives concerning dominion over animals, eating meat (with restrictions on blood), and the sanctity of human life. Verses 9:8-12 introduce God's decision to establish a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature. God explicitly promises never to send another global flood to destroy all life. Genesis 9:13 specifically names the sign, the rainbow, as the perpetual "token" of this solemn and unconditional promise. Historically, many ancient Near Eastern cultures had flood myths, but the Genesis account distinguishes itself by presenting a holy God who justly judges but then unconditionally extends grace through an unbreakable covenant and a universal sign.

Genesis 9 13 Word analysis

• I do set: אני נתתי (ani nātattī). This phrase conveys a divine, decisive, and deliberate act of establishment. It indicates that God is the initiator and giver of this sign, not merely an observer of a natural phenomenon. The verb is in the perfect tense, denoting a completed action with continuing results, signifying the permanence of the act and the sign.
• my bow: קַשְׁתִּי (qashtī). This word is pivotal. Qeshet primarily means a warrior's "bow" (for arrows), a weapon used for battle or hunting. By using this term for the rainbow, God transforms an instrument of judgment (bow as divine wrath, often depicted in ancient imagery) into a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and promise. It subtly suggests God "hanging up" His weapon of judgment after the devastating flood.
• in the cloud: בֶּעָנָן (beʿānān). Clouds are intrinsically linked with rain and storms, which were the instruments of the flood judgment. Yet, clouds also signify divine presence (as in the pillar of cloud in Exodus or God's glory in Solomon's temple). Placing the "bow" in the cloud means the very elements that once brought judgment will now visibly declare His enduring mercy.
• and it shall be: וְהָיְתָה (vehāyetāh). A declaration of future reality and ongoing existence. This sign is not for a moment, but is meant to endure for all generations.
• for a token: לְאוֹת (le'ōṯ). An ot (sign) in biblical theology is not merely a symbolic representation, but often carries deep significance. It's a guarantee, a memorial, a point of remembrance, and sometimes a miraculous confirmation of God's word. This token acts as a visible reminder of God's commitment and faithfulness.
• of a covenant: בְּרִית (bərīṯ). This signifies a formal, binding agreement initiated by God, which carries immense weight. God sovereignly establishes this covenant (the Noahic Covenant) with universal scope, promising preservation to all life. It highlights God's self-binding faithfulness.
• between me: בֵּינִי (bēnī). Emphasizes that this is God's initiative and promise originating directly from Him. It is a divine commitment.
• and the earth: וּבֵין הָאָרֶץ (uvēn hā'āreṣ). This phrase specifies the universal extent of the covenant. It's not just with Noah or humanity, but with all creation—the entire planet and every living creature upon it (as mentioned in Gen 9:10, 12, 16).

Genesis 9 13 Bonus section

• The universality of the Noahic Covenant, marked by the rainbow, highlights God's deep care for all creation, not just humanity. This sets the stage for broader theological understandings of creation's place in God's redemptive plan (e.g., Rom 8:21).
• In later biblical texts (Ezek 1:28; Rev 4:3; 10:1), the rainbow appears around God's throne or His divine messengers, signifying the holiness, majesty, and covenant faithfulness of God Himself, transcending earthly time. This echoes the permanent significance of the sign established in Genesis 9:13.
• The concept of ot (sign) is profound. It often refers to a tangible object or event that carries significant spiritual or prophetic meaning (e.g., circumcision in Gen 17, the Sabbath in Exod 31). The rainbow is therefore more than an arbitrary symbol; it is an active divine declaration.

Genesis 9 13 Commentary

Genesis 9:13 is a powerful statement of divine grace succeeding divine judgment. God, having unleashed overwhelming judgment through the flood, now unconditionally pledges a never-ending preservation of life on Earth. The selection of the rainbow, with the wordplay on "bow" (qeshet) as both a weapon and an arc of light, underscores God's mercy: the instrument of His judgment is metaphorically "hung up" in the clouds, becoming a perpetual, luminous sign of peace. This covenant, extended to all living things and all generations, reveals God's unchangeable character as faithful to His promises. The rainbow serves as a constant visible reminder of God's covenant loyalty, a testament that His justice is always intertwined with His compassionate commitment to creation's future. When we behold a rainbow, we are invited to recall God's steadfastness and His sovereign power over creation, a deep well of assurance even amidst the world's storms. It is a reminder that God governs all things, and His promises are unbreakable.