When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done. When the LORD smelledThe phrase begins with an anthropomorphic depiction of God, attributing human characteristics to the divine to convey a deeper understanding of His actions. The Hebrew root for "smelled" is "ריח" (riach), which implies not just the physical act of smelling but also an acceptance or satisfaction. This suggests that God is pleased with Noah's sacrifice, indicating a restored relationship between God and humanity post-flood. the pleasing aroma
The Hebrew word for "pleasing" is "ניחוח" (nihoach), which is often used in the context of sacrifices that are acceptable to God. This phrase signifies that Noah's offering was not just a ritual act but one that genuinely pleased God, symbolizing reconciliation and the restoration of divine favor. The "aroma" is metaphorical, representing the sincerity and faith behind the offering. He said in His heart
This phrase indicates an intimate and profound decision made by God. The Hebrew word for "heart" is "לב" (lev), which in biblical terms often refers to the center of thought, emotion, and will. God's internal dialogue reveals His compassionate nature and His desire to establish a new covenant with humanity, despite their inherent sinfulness. Never again will I curse the ground
The promise here is significant, as it marks a shift from the curse pronounced in Genesis 3:17. The Hebrew word for "curse" is "ארר" (arar), which means to bind or to hem in with obstacles. God's declaration is a commitment to sustain creation and not to repeat the judgment of the flood, highlighting His mercy and grace. because of man
This phrase acknowledges the reason for the previous curse: human sinfulness. The Hebrew word for "man" is "אדם" (adam), which is also a reference to humanity as a whole. It underscores the biblical theme of human responsibility and the consequences of sin, yet it also points to God's willingness to show mercy despite human failings. even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth
This statement reflects the doctrine of original sin, emphasizing the inherent sinfulness of humanity. The Hebrew word for "inclination" is "יצר" (yetzer), which means formation or imagination, indicating the natural tendency towards sin. Despite this, God's grace prevails, as He chooses not to destroy humanity again. and never again will I destroy all living creatures
The phrase reiterates God's promise of preservation. The Hebrew word for "destroy" is "שחת" (shachat), which means to ruin or corrupt. This assurance of protection for "all living creatures" reflects God's covenantal faithfulness and His commitment to the continuity of life on earth. as I have done
This concluding phrase serves as a reminder of the flood's severity and the extent of God's judgment. It underscores the gravity of sin but also highlights the transformative power of divine grace. God's past actions serve as a backdrop for His promise of future mercy, offering hope and assurance to humanity. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God who is sovereign over creation and makes a promise to humanity. 2. NoahThe righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth. 3. The AltarBuilt by Noah after the flood, where he offered burnt offerings to God. 4. The FloodA divine judgment that cleansed the earth of widespread wickedness. 5. The PromiseGod's commitment not to curse the ground or destroy all living creatures again. Teaching Points God's Mercy and GraceDespite humanity's sinful nature, God chooses to show mercy and grace by promising not to destroy the earth again. This teaches us about the depth of God's love and patience. The Power of SacrificeNoah's offering was a pleasing aroma to God, symbolizing the importance of sincere worship and sacrifice. Our lives should be a living sacrifice, pleasing to God. The Nature of HumanityThe verse acknowledges the persistent sinfulness of humanity, reminding us of our need for redemption and the transformative power of Christ. Covenant FaithfulnessGod's promise to Noah is a testament to His faithfulness. We can trust in God's promises and His unchanging nature. Hope and RenewalAfter judgment comes renewal. God's promise signifies hope for the future and the opportunity for a new beginning. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God's promise in Genesis 8:21 reflect His character and attributes? 2. In what ways does Noah's response to God's deliverance (building an altar) serve as a model for our own worship and gratitude? 3. How can we reconcile the persistent sinfulness of humanity with the call to live a holy life as seen in other scriptures? 4. What are some modern-day "floods" or challenges we face, and how can we find hope in God's promises during these times? 5. How does the concept of covenant in Genesis 8:21 connect to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 6:5This verse describes the wickedness of humanity, which led to the flood. It connects to Genesis 8:21 by highlighting the persistent sinful nature of humanity. Romans 3:23This New Testament verse echoes the idea that all have sinned, reinforcing the concept of humanity's inherent sinfulness mentioned in Genesis 8:21. Isaiah 54:9This verse refers to God's promise to Noah, emphasizing the enduring nature of God's covenant. Hebrews 11:7Noah's faith is commended, showing the importance of obedience and trust in God's promises. Psalm 51:5This verse speaks to the sinful nature from birth, aligning with the idea of the evil inclination of the human heart. People NoahPlaces Mount AraratTopics Account, Animal, Aroma, Childhood, Continue, Creature, Creatures, Curse, Destroy, Destruction, Disesteem, Earliest, Evil, Fragrance, Ground, Heart, Henceforth, Imagination, Inclination, Intent, Man's, Odor, Odour, Pleasant, Pleasing, Sake, Savor, Savour, Smell, Smelled, Smelleth, Smite, Soothing, Strike, Sweet, Though, Thoughts, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 8:21 1210 God, human descriptions
5013 heart, divine
5038 mind, the human
5183 smell
5827 curse
6023 sin, universality
6139 deadness, spiritual
6156 fall, of humanity
6185 imagination, desires
8735 evil, origins of Genesis 8:15-22 5106 Noah Genesis 8:21-22 1347 covenant, with Noah
7227 flood, the Library December 27. "He Sent Forth the Dove which Returned not Again unto Him" (Gen. viii. 12).
"He sent forth the dove which returned not again unto him" (Gen. viii. 12). First, we have the dove going forth from the ark, and finding no rest upon the wild and drifting waste of sin and judgment. This represents the Old Testament period, perhaps, when the Holy Ghost visited this sinful world, but could find no resting-place, and went back to the bosom of God. Next, we have the dove going forth and returning with the olive leaf in her mouth, the symbol and the pledge of peace and reconciliation, …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth 'Clear Shining after Rain'
'And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Sermon of the Seasons
"Oh, the long and dreary Winter! Oh, the cold and cruel Winter!" We say to ourselves, Will spring-time never come? In addition to this, trade and commerce continue in a state of stagnation; crowds are out of employment, and where business is carried on, it yields little profit. Our watchmen are asked if they discern any signs of returning day, and they answer, "No." Thus we bow our heads in a common affliction, and ask each man comfort of his fellow; for as yet we see not our signs, neither does …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886 The Best of the Best
"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."--Song of Solomon 2:1. THE time of flowers has come, and as they are in some faint degree emblems of our Lord, it is well, when God thus calls, that we should seek to learn what he desires to teach us by them. If nature now spreads out her roses and her lilies, or prepares to do so, let us try, not only to see them, but to see Christ as he is shadowed forth in them. "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." If these are the words …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896 The Unchangeable One
Psalm cxix. 89-96. For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons On Gen. viii. I
On Gen. viii. I Hippolytus, the expositor of the Targum, and my master, Jacobus Rohaviensis, have said: On the twenty-seventh day of the month Jiar, which is the second Hebrew month, the ark rose from the base of the holy mount; and already the waters bore it, and it was carried upon them round about towards the four cardinal points of the world. The ark accordingly held off from the holy mount towards the east, then returned towards the west, then turned to the south, and finally, bearing off eastwards, …
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus The Song of the Three Children
DANIEL iii. 16, 17, 18. O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. We read this morning, instead of the Te Deum, the Song of the Three Children, beginning, 'Oh all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting That it is Profitable to Communicate Often
The Voice of the Disciple Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy gift, and be made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou, O God, of Thy goodness hast prepared for the poor.(1) Behold in Thee is all that I can and ought to desire, Thou art my salvation and redemption, my hope and strength, my honour and glory. Therefore rejoice the soul of Thy servant this day, for unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, do I lift up my soul.(2) I long now to receive Thee devoutly and reverently, I desire …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 8:21 NIVGenesis 8:21 NLTGenesis 8:21 ESVGenesis 8:21 NASBGenesis 8:21 KJV
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