Genesis 9:14 kjv

And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

Genesis 9:14 nkjv

It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud;

Genesis 9:14 niv

Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,

Genesis 9:14 esv

When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds,

Genesis 9:14 nlt

When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds,

Genesis 9 verses

Genesis 9 14 Meaning

Genesis 9:14 states the divine condition and visual manifestation of God's post-flood covenant with all living creatures. It signifies that whenever God brings clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear within them as His designated sign. This assures humanity and every living thing that, even amidst weather that might trigger fears of past judgment, God's promise never to destroy all flesh again by a flood remains steadfast and visibly attested.

Genesis 9 14 Context

This verse is an integral part of the Noahic Covenant (Gen 8:20-9:17), which God unilaterally established after the catastrophic global flood. The flood served as God's righteous judgment against pervasive human wickedness. Following Noah's burnt offering, God's disposition shifted, marked by a promise never again to curse the ground or destroy all living creatures with a flood. Genesis 9:14 specifically outlines the condition for the manifestation of the rainbow, serving as the physical, perpetual sign of this unconditional, universal covenant extended to Noah, his descendants, and every form of life on earth. It frames the appearance of clouds, which once heralded destruction, as the very canvas for God's sign of enduring mercy and faithfulness.

Genesis 9 14 Word analysis

• and when I bring (וְהָיָה בְּעַנְנִּי - v'hayah b'anneni):

  • וְהָיָה (v'hayah): Literally "and it shall come to pass," or "and when it is." This phrasing often introduces a divinely willed or certain future event. It underscores God's sovereignty; the appearance of clouds and the subsequent rainbow are not coincidental but occur by His active purpose.
  • בְּעַנְנִּי (b'anneni): Means "in my clouding," or "when I cause a cloud." Derived from the Hebrew root for "cloud" (ענן - 'anan'), the suffixed "i" (my) highlights God's direct agency and ownership. God Himself is the active initiator and controller of the weather phenomena, demonstrating His complete command even over what brought the past judgment.

• a cloud (עָנָן - anan):

  • This term for "cloud" (עָנָן - 'anan') is significant. While clouds brought the devastating waters of the flood, they also represent divine presence (e.g., the pillar of cloud in Exodus). Here, clouds become the medium through which God's enduring promise is revealed, transforming a potential source of fear into a context for assurance.

• over the earth (עַל הָאָרֶץ - al ha'arets):

  • "Over the earth" signifies the universal scope of the event and the covenant. The rainbow will appear globally, reinforcing that the promise extends to all parts of the habitable world, aligning with the global scale of the preceding flood.

• and the rainbow (וְנִרְאֲתָה הַקֶּשֶׁת - v'nir'atah hakkeshet):

  • וְנִרְאֲתָה (v'nir'atah): "and it is seen" or "it will appear." This emphasizes that the rainbow is explicitly meant to be visible and observed by sentient beings. God ensures His sign is manifest for all to witness.
  • הַקֶּשֶׁת (hakkeshet): "the bow." This crucial Hebrew word is most commonly used for an archer's bow, a weapon of war and judgment. Its reinterpretation as a celestial "rainbow" carries deep theological meaning. God is depicted as hanging up His "war bow" in the heavens, disarming Himself, signifying His laying aside of the instrument of cosmic judgment against humanity by floodwaters. Some interpretations suggest the bow, curved upward, is not aimed at the earth, or is even aimed at God Himself, signifying His self-commitment to the covenant.

• in the cloud (בֶּעָנָן - be'anan):

  • This phrase directly links the covenant sign with the very elements that delivered the previous judgment. By placing the rainbow "in the cloud," God ensures that the symbol of His promise is intertwined with the reminder of His past judgment, turning a potential cause for fear into a source of hope and remembrance of His faithfulness.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "when I bring a cloud over the earth": This phrase highlights God's initiative and ongoing sovereign control over nature. It directly addresses the potential fear or trauma that clouds might induce after the flood, asserting that such meteorological events are still within God's loving and covenant-keeping hand, rather than signaling impending doom.
  • "and the rainbow is seen in the cloud": This emphasizes the visibility and purpose of the sign. The contrast between the dark, foreboding cloud and the colorful, peaceful rainbow within it speaks volumes about God's ability to transform judgment into grace. The "bow," once an instrument of wrath, becomes a perpetual assurance of His divine peace, displayed openly for all creation to see and remember.

Genesis 9 14 Bonus section

• The unilateral nature of this covenant is critical; it is not dependent on human performance but solely on God's character and faithfulness, a foundation for later covenants.
• The act of God "remembering" His covenant in subsequent verses (e.g., Gen 9:15-16) is anthropomorphic language, illustrating God's active commitment and unwavering purpose rather than a lack of actual memory. The rainbow is as much a sign for Him (symbolizing His own pledge) as it is for humanity.
• This specific use of a natural phenomenon as a covenant sign (a recurring visual testament) establishes a pattern for future divine assurances found throughout Scripture, such as the Sabbath as a sign of the Mosaic Covenant (Ex 31:13).
• The scientific explanation of the rainbow (refraction and reflection of light through water droplets) highlights God's intelligent design and integration of His spiritual promises within the physical laws of His creation. The ordinary phenomenon becomes an extraordinary divine signal.

Genesis 9 14 Commentary

Genesis 9:14 is a poignant declaration of God's covenant fidelity. After executing severe judgment through the flood, God initiates a new phase of interaction with His creation, promising never again to devastate all life by water. This verse pinpoints the mechanism for recalling that promise: whenever dark clouds, reminiscent of the flood, appear, God assures the visible presence of the rainbow. The transformation of 'qeshet' (the bow of war) into a beautiful celestial sign symbolizes God's decision to sheath His weapon of wrath and instead establish a treaty of enduring peace. It showcases God's remarkable self-limitation and condescension, demonstrating His absolute commitment to a perpetual, universal covenant with humanity and all creatures. The regularity and public display of the rainbow ensure a tangible, constant reminder of His faithfulness, independent of human remembrance or merit.