Bible Commentaries

God = Hebrew. "Elohim = the Creator, because every living creature is included. Compare Genesis 7:16.

remembered. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

wind. Hebrew. ruach. See App-9.

windows. Hebrew. "arubboth. See note on Genesis 7:11.

rested. Saturday, the Sabbath Day. Compare Genesis 7:4.

first day. Tuesday. (The only day named that is not a Sabbath.)

window. Hebrew. challon = a small aperture. Compare Genesis 7:11 (not Genesis 8:2). Same as Joshua 2:18, Joshua 2:21; 1 Kings 6:4. Ezekiel 40:16; Ezekiel 41:16, Ezekiel 41:26.

raven: an unclean bird. Leviticus 11:15. Deuteronomy 14:14.

dove: a clean bird. Deuteronomy 14:11.

seven = the seven. Another Sabbath, 18th day of 11th month.

olive leaf. Hebrew a newly-sprouted olive leaf.

seven. Saturday, 25th day of 11th month.

six hundredth and first year: i.e. of Noah's life.

the first month, the first day. Six such important dates in Bible: (1) Here, the drying up of the waters (Genesis 8:13); (2) The setting up of Tabernacle by Moses (Exodus 40:2); (3) The sanctification of cleansed-up Temple by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:17); (4) The going up of Ezra (Genesis 7:9); (5) The giving up of strange wives (Ezra 10:17); (6) The offering up of a bullock in Ezekiel's future Temple (Ezekiel 45:18).

twenty-seventh day of second month. Completing one solar year from Genesis 7:11.

God. Elohim, the Creator, speaking from without. Compare Genesis 7:16 with Genesis 8:1.

Go forth. Hebrew. z"e. But in Genesis 7:1, Jehovah (from within), "Come thou". Hebrew. b"o. Compare Genesis 7:1.

Bring forth. Elohim, speaking from without.

altar. The first mentioned in Scripture.

offered. Hebrew "alah. App-43.

burnt offerings. Hebrew. "oldh.

the LORD = Jehovah, in covenant-relationship.

smelled a sweet savour. Hebrew "smelled a smell". Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6).

savour. First occurance. Hebrew. nihoah, found only in this connection = rest, acquiescence.

in His heart. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia, in condescension, and for emphasis.

for = although, as in Exodus 13:17. 2 Samuel 23:5. Psalms 49:18. Habakkuk 3:17.

While. Jehovah's covenant with Noah was unconditional in connection with the earth; as with Abraham, to give him the land (Genesis 15), and with David, to give him the throne (2Sa 7).

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6) seven times in this verse, to emphasize the completeness and perfection of the Covenant (App-10). Eight things named in 4 pairs of opposites.