Genesis 9

Genesis 9:1

God. Hebrew. ’elohlm, the Creator, because in connection with creation (Genesis 9:2) and the earth.

replenish = fill, as in Genesis 6:11.

Genesis 9:2

fear . . . dread. Figure of speech Synonymia.

beast = living thing, as in Genesis 3:1.

earth. Hebrew. ’adhamah = the ground.

Genesis 9:3

Every . . . all. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6), for emphasis. Same word in Hebrew.

Genesis 9:4

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13.

blood. This is the essence and foundation of the doctrine of substitution and atonement = “life for life”, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and “without shedding of blood [and thus giving up the life] is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).

Genesis 9:5

of. Genitive of Apposition (App-17) = “blood, [that is] your lives.

lives = souls. Plural of Hebrew. nephesh.

hand of every beast. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia (App-6).

Genesis 9:6

image of God. Hebrew image of ’elohim (App-4). See note on Genesis 1:26, and Genesis 3:7. See App-15for the Laws before Sinai.

Genesis 9:9

I, behold, I. Figure of speech Epizeuxis, for emphasis.

covenant. Mentioned seven times in verses: Genesis 9:9-17.

Genesis 9:10

creature = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. So rendered in Genesis 1:21, Genesis 1:24; Genesis 2:19; Genesis 9:10, Genesis 9:12, Genesis 9:15, Genesis 9:16. Leviticus 11:46, &c. See App-13.

Genesis 9:12

token, or sign; then so associated with the bow.

Genesis 9:13

set. Hebrew grant. Not then first seen as a phenomenon, but then first assigned as a token.

Genesis 9:14

that. Hebrew = and [when]. See Genesis 9:13.

Genesis 9:15

remember. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Genesis 9:16

everlasting covenant. This expression occurs thirteen times in O.T. and once in N.T., making fourteen in all. Genesis 9:16; Genesis 17:13, Genesis 17:19. Leviticus 24:8. 2 Samuel 23:5. 1 Chronicles 16:17. Psalms 105:10. Isaiah 24:5; Isaiah 55:3; Isaiah 61:8. Jeremiah 32:40. Ezekiel 37:26, and Hebrews 13:20.

Genesis 9:20

began to be = was. Hebrew idiom. Compare Luke 12:1. Matthew 26:37. Mark 10:41. Luke 3:23. Mark 11:15.

husbandman. Hebrew. man of the ground, i.e. giving himself to tillage.

Genesis 9:21

wine: first occurance. Hebrew. yayin. See App-27.

[Conversion Note:Some versions of the Companion Bible text on the Internet have the following comment for this verse but the original book (that I have) does not. Nevertheless the comment is presented.]

Compare Leviticus 18:8, which says: “The nakedness of thy father’s wife shall thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.” Ham committed a sinful sex act with his mother. See also Leviticus 20:11.

Genesis 9:24

awoke. Septuagint eknepho, only here 1 Samuel 25:37. Habakkuk 2:7, Habakkuk 2:19; and Joe 1:5. In N.T. only 1 Corinthians 15:34, means very much awake, awake to wisdom.

younger = than Japheth, not Shem. See notes on Genesis 5:32; Genesis 10:1.

Genesis 9:25

Cursed. Fulfillment in Book of Joshua. servant of servants. Figure of speech Polyptoton.

Genesis 9:26

Blessed. Fulfillment in Shem being in the line of the promised seed, and in the overthrow of Canaanites.

Genesis 9:27

enlarge Japheth. Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6). Yapht le-yephth. Fulfillment in increase of Western nations.

dwell: as in a Tabernacle (Genesis 3:24, which see), i.e. worship the God of Shem: Israel’s God, Hebrew. shakan. See App-40. Gentiles to be blessed in Shem. The Eunuch (Ham) Acts 8. Saul (Shem) Acts 9. Cornelius (Japheth) Acts 10. See note on Genesis 11:9.

tents. Hebrew. ’ohel (App-40). Probably plural of majesty, the Great Tent or Tabernacle of Shem, who would thus be the “Priest of the most High God”. See note on Genesis 14:18.