Home / Commentary / Genesis / Genesis Chapter 8

Genesis 8 Commentary

Please choose a passage:

Genesis 8:1-5

The rain stopped, and the underground waters were closed. God caused a wind to dry up the flood waters. The ark came to rest on the mountain tops of Ararat.

Genesis 8:6-12

Noah sent out a raven to see if the water had dried yet. It did not return, so Noah sent out a dove three times to test the status of the earth.

Genesis 8:13-17

The flood waters had completely dried up. But Noah waited until God said to leave the ark before they left. God commanded them to be fruitful and multiply on the earth.

Genesis 8:18-22

Noah, his family, and all the animals left the ark. Noah built the first altar and offered sacrifices to the Lord.

Additional Resources

Genesis is a book about many beginnings. The beginnings of the world, the human race, sin and redemption, and the nation of Israel to name a few. In fact, the word Genesis from the Greek means “origin,” and in Hebrew it means “beginning.” The book of Genesis contains the events of the flood, tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the lives of the Patriarchs.

In the beginning, God created everything by simply speaking, “God said…and it was so” (Genesis 1:6-7, 9, 11, 14-15). This is not a scientific technical account of creation, but it shows a loving God creating a universe and mankind to rule it and fellowship with God. Man was formed especially from the ground and given the breath of life from God. The woman was made from the man’s rib (Genesis 2:7).

After man fell into sin, things began to spin out of control quickly. Cain murdered his brother Abel and the human race became so violent that God decided to destroy them all with a flood. God saved one righteous man (Noah) and his family in an ark filled with animals to deliver the human race from extinction. God chose Abraham and blessed a special group of people named “Israel.” God began to unfold a plan of salvation from a coming famine by sending Joseph to rule in Egypt. The failure of man in every circumstance is met by the salvation of God. We fail, but the good news is God saves us.

Chapter Context

In Genesis chapter eight, the flood subsides, and God gives mankind a new start. Noah, his family and all the animals exit from the ark. Noah builds an altar to the Lord. Noah rightly worshipped God as the means of their deliverance. God promises to never curse the ground again even though intent in man’s heart is evil even from man’s youth. God also promises to sustain the earth as a refuge for humanity so long as the earth remains. The flood account demonstrates God’s justice, but also his grace. It also shows the impact one man’s simple obedience can have on human history.