I have set
The phrase "I have set" indicates a deliberate and sovereign action by God. The Hebrew root for "set" is "נָתַן" (natan), which means to give, place, or appoint. This conveys God's authority and intentionality in establishing the rainbow as a symbol. It reflects His active role in creation and His ongoing relationship with the world. The act of setting the rainbow is not a passive occurrence but a purposeful declaration of His promise.

My rainbow
The term "rainbow" in Hebrew is "קֶשֶׁת" (qeshet), which can also mean a bow, as in a weapon of war. The imagery here is profound; God transforms a symbol of war into a symbol of peace and promise. By calling it "My rainbow," God personalizes this natural phenomenon, indicating ownership and a personal connection to the covenant. It is a reminder of His mercy and the beauty of His creation, serving as a bridge between heaven and earth.

in the clouds
The phrase "in the clouds" situates the rainbow in the sky, a place that is both visible and transcendent. Clouds often symbolize the presence of God in the Bible, as seen in the pillar of cloud that guided the Israelites. The rainbow appearing in the clouds signifies God's presence and His watchful eye over creation. It is a divine signature in the heavens, visible to all, reminding humanity of His promises.

and it will be
This phrase indicates a future assurance. The Hebrew word "וְהָיָה" (vehayah) is often used to denote something that will come to pass. It underscores the certainty and continuity of God's promise. The rainbow is not a one-time event but an ongoing sign that will persist through generations, reinforcing the reliability of God's word.

a sign
The word "sign" in Hebrew is "אוֹת" (oth), which means a token or a mark. In biblical terms, a sign is a visible representation of an invisible reality. The rainbow serves as a tangible reminder of God's covenant, a physical manifestation of His promise. It is a divine communication tool, bridging the gap between the spiritual and the material world.

of the covenant
The term "covenant" is "בְּרִית" (berit) in Hebrew, signifying a solemn agreement or promise. In the biblical context, covenants are foundational to God's relationship with humanity. This particular covenant is unconditional, emphasizing God's grace and commitment to never again destroy the earth with a flood. It highlights the theme of redemption and God's faithfulness to His creation.

between Me and the earth
This phrase establishes the scope of the covenant. It is not just between God and Noah, but between God and the entire earth. The Hebrew word for "earth" is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which can mean land or the whole world. This universal covenant underscores God's care for all creation, reflecting His desire for harmony and peace. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and God's overarching plan for the world.

Verse 13. - I do set. Literally, I have given, or placed, an indication that the atmospheric phenomenon referred to had already frequently appeared (Syriac, Arabic, Aben Ezra, Chrysostom, Calvin, Willet, Murphy, Wordsworth, Kalisch, Lange). The contrary opinion has been maintained that it now for the first time appeared (Bush, Keil, Delitzsch), or at least that the historian thought so (Knobel); but unless there had been no rain, or the laws of light and the atmospheric conditions of the earth had been different from what they are at present, it must have been a frequent spectacle in the primeval heavens. My bow. i.e. the rainbow, τόξον (LXX.), (cf. Ezekiel 1:28). The ordinary rainbow consists of a series of successive zones or bands of polarized light, forming little concentric circles in the sky, and having a common center almost always below the horizon, and diametrically opposite to the sun. It is produced by the refraction and reflection of the sun's light through the spherical raindrops on which the rays fall, and, accordingly, must always appear, with a greater or a lesser degree of visibility, when the two material agencies come in contact The part of the sky on which the rainbow is thrown is much more bright within than without the bow. The outer space is dark, almost black; and the inner space, on the contrary, melts into the violet almost insensibly (Nichol's 'Cyclopedia of the Sciences,' art. Rainbow). It is here styled God's bow, as being his workmanship (cf. Ecclus. 43:12), and his seal appended to his covenant (Genesis 9:17). In the cloud, עָנָן that which veils the heavens, from a root signifying to cover (Gesenius). And it shall be for a token, לְאות = εἰς σημεῖον, (LXX.). In Greek mythology the rainbow is designated by a name (Iris) which is at least connected with εἴρω, to speak, and εἰρήνη, peace; is represented as the daughter of Thaumas (wonder), and Electra (brightness) the daughter of Oceanus; is assigned the office of messenger to the king and queen of Olympus; and is depicted as set in heaven for a sign (Homer, 'I1,' 11:27; 17:547, 548; 24:144, 159; Virgil, AEn.,' 4:694; 5:606; Ovid, 'Met.,' 1:270; 11:585). The Persians seem to have associated the rainbow with similar ideas. An old picture, mentioned by Stolberg, represents a winged boy on a rainbow with an old man kneeling in a posture, of worship. The Hindoos describe the rainbow as a warlike weapon in the hands of Indras their god, "with which he hurls flashing darts upon the impious giants;" but also as a symbol of peace exhibited to man "when the combat of the heavens is silenced." By the Chinese it is regarded as the harbinger of troubles and misfortunes on earth, and by the old Scandinavians as a bridge uniting earth and heaven ('Kalisch on Genesis,' pp. 223, 224). Traditional reflections of the Biblical narrative, they do not "account for the application in the Pentateuch of the rainbow to a very remarkable purpose," or "explain why the New Testament represents the rainbow as an attribute of the Divine throne," or "why angels are sent as messengers on earth" (Kalisch); but are themselves accounted for and explained by it. The institution of the rainbow as a sign clearly negatives the idea (Aquinas, Cajetan) that it was originally and naturally a sign; which, if it was, "it was a lying sign," since the Flood came notwithstanding its prognostications (Willet). Of a covenant. "The bow in the hands of man was an instrument of battle (Genesis 48:22; Psalm 7:12; Proverbs 6:2; Zechariah 9:10); but the bow bent by the hand of God has become a symbol of peace" (Wordsworth). Between me and the earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


I have set
נָתַ֖תִּי (nā·ṯat·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

My rainbow
קַשְׁתִּ֕י (qaš·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

in the clouds,
בֶּֽעָנָ֑ן (be·‘ā·nān)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6051: A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud

and it will be
וְהָֽיְתָה֙ (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a sign
לְא֣וֹת (lə·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 226: A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence

of the covenant
בְּרִ֔ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

between
בֵּינִ֖י (bê·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Me
וּבֵ֥ין (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

and the earth.
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Law: Genesis 9:13 I set my rainbow in the cloud (Gen. Ge Gn)