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I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Surely for your lifeblood I will demand <i>a reckoning;</i> from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I certainly will require your lifeblood; from every animal I will require it. And from <i>every</i> person, from every man <i>as</i> his brother I will require the life of a person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man&#8217s brother I will require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from <i>every</i> man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every living thing I will require it. And from <i>every</i> man, from each man’s brother I will require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For your lifeblood I will most certainly require an accounting; from every animal [that kills a person] I will require it. And from man, from every man’s brother [that is, anyone who murders] I will require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And I will require a penalty for your lifeblood; I will require it from any animal and from any human; if someone murders a fellow human, I will require that person’s life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will require the life of every animal and every man for your life and your blood. I will require the life of each man&#8217s brother for a man&#8217s life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it; and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it: and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In addition, I will demand your blood for your life. I will demand it from any animal or from any person. I will demand the life of any person [who kills] another person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If anyone takes human life, he will be punished. I will punish with death any animal that takes a human life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Also, I will certainly demand an accounting regarding bloodshed, from every animal and from every human being. I'll demand an accounting from every human being for the life of another human being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For your lifeblood I will surely exact punishment, from every living creature I will exact punishment. From each person I will exact punishment for the life of the individual since the man was his relative. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And surely I will require a reckoning for your lifeblood; from every animal I will require it, and from humans. From every human being I will require it for the life of his fellow human being.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And surely your blood of your lives will I require: at the hand of every beast will I require it: and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will surely require accounting for your life’s blood. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, I will require the life of man. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And only your blood for your lives do I require; from the hand of every living thing I require it, and from the hand of man, from the hand of every man’s brother I require the life of man;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And only your blood for your lives do I require; from the hand of every living thing I require it, and from the hand of man, from the hand of every man's brother I require the life of man;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And surely, your blood of your lives I will search out, from the hand of every living thing I will search it out, and from the hand of man; from the hand of a man's brother I will search out the life of man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For I will require the blood of your lives at the hand of every beast, and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man, and of his brother, will I require the life of man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For I will examine the blood of your lives at the hand of every beast. So also, at the hand of mankind, at the hand of each man and his brother, I will examine the life of mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Indeed for your own lifeblood I will demand an accounting: from every animal I will demand it, and from a human being, each one for the blood of another, I will demand an accounting for human life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For your own lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning: from every animal I will require it and from human beings, each one for the blood of another, I will require a reckoning for human life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And surely your lifeblood will I f avenge; of every beast will I avenge it, and at the hand of man; and at the hand of a man and his brother will I avenge the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And however, your blood of your lives I shall require from the agency of every animal; it will be required from the agency of a man and I shall require the life of a man from the agency of a man and his brother.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it; and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For your blood of your lives will I require at the hand of all wild beasts, and I will require the life of man at the hand of <i>his</i> brother man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/9-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=1881" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/9.htm">The Covenant of the Rainbow</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: wə·’aḵ (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">And surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: ’eḏ·rōš (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">I will require</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yaḏ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">the life of any</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: hā·’ā·ḏām (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yāh (N-fs) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">or beast</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: ’eḏ·rə·šen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 3mse) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ū·mî·yaḏ (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yaḏ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">by whose hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: lə·nap̄·šō·ṯê·ḵem (Prep-l:: N-fpc:: 2mp) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">your lifeblood is shed.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: dim·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: ’eḏ·rōš (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">I will demand an accounting</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: hā·’ā·ḏām (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">from anyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ne·p̄eš (N-fsc) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">who takes the life</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">of his fellow man:</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab)."></a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12-14</a></span><br />Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33-34</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. / Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10-13</a></span><br />Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed. / If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-17.htm">Leviticus 24:17-21</a></span><br />And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. / Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. / If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-9.htm">Revelation 6:9-10</a></span><br />And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. / And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Psalm 9:12</a></span><br />For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></span><br />For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-6.htm">Ezekiel 33:6</a></span><br />But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a></span><br />to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">1 John 3:12</a></span><br />Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a></span><br />Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Matthew 23:35</a></span><br />And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-50.htm">Luke 11:50-51</a></span><br />As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.</p><p class="hdg">every.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12,28,29</a></b></br> He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death… </p><p class="hdg">and at.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9,10</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Cain, Where <i>is</i> Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: <i>Am</i> I my brother's keeper? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Leviticus 19:16</a></b></br> Thou shalt not go up and down <i>as</i> a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">Numbers 35:31-33</a></b></br> Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which <i>is</i> guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death… </p><p class="hdg">brother.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Acts 17:26</a></b></br> And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/11-26.htm">Accounting</a> <a href="/genesis/9-2.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/genesis/9-2.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/genesis/9-2.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/9-3.htm">Lives</a> <a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-19.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/titus/3-13.htm">Require</a> <a href="/genesis/6-13.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/12-15.htm">Accounting</a> <a href="/genesis/9-10.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/genesis/9-10.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-2.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/genesis/15-10.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/genesis/13-9.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/45-7.htm">Lives</a> <a href="/genesis/30-18.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/genesis/31-39.htm">Require</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">God blesses Noah and his sons, and grants them flesh for food.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Blood and murder are forbidden.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-8.htm">God's covenant, of which the rainbow was constituted a pledge.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-18.htm">Noah's family replenishes the world.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Noah plants a vineyard,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">Is drunken, and mocked by his son;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Curses Canaan;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-26.htm">Blesses Shem;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Prays for Japheth, and dies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And surely I will require the life of any man or beast</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the sanctity of life, a principle established by God after the flood. The requirement of life for life underscores the seriousness of taking a life, whether by human or animal. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this reflects a divine mandate for justice and order. The inclusion of beasts suggests a comprehensive view of accountability, indicating that even animals are subject to divine justice. This principle is foundational for later legal codes, such as the Mosaic Law, which also prescribes consequences for animals that kill humans (<a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">Exodus 21:28-29</a>).<p><b>by whose hand your lifeblood is shed.</b><br>The shedding of blood is a significant biblical motif representing the taking of life. Blood is seen as the life force (<a href="/leviticus/17-11.htm">Leviticus 17:11</a>), and its shedding is a grave offense. This phrase highlights the personal responsibility of the perpetrator, whether human or animal. The concept of bloodshed requiring atonement is further developed in the sacrificial system, where blood is used for purification and atonement (<a href="/hebrews/9-22.htm">Hebrews 9:22</a>). This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for the redemption of humanity (<a href="/1_peter/1-18.htm">1 Peter 1:18-19</a>).<p><b>I will demand an accounting from anyone</b><br>This phrase indicates divine justice and accountability. God Himself will require an account, suggesting that human life is under His sovereign jurisdiction. This accountability is not merely a human legal matter but a divine one, reinforcing the idea that all actions are ultimately answerable to God. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are reminded that they will give an account to God for their lives (<a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a>).<p><b>who takes the life of his fellow man:</b><br>The phrase underscores the prohibition against murder, a command that is later formalized in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13</a>). The term "fellow man" emphasizes the shared humanity and inherent value of each person, created in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>). This intrinsic value is the basis for the commandment and reflects the relational aspect of human existence. The New Testament expands on this by teaching love for one's neighbor and even one's enemies (<a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>), pointing to the transformative ethic of the Kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, establishing a covenant with Noah and his descendants after the flood.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah</a></b><br>The recipient of God's covenant, representing humanity in this new post-flood world.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/animals.htm">Animals</a></b><br>Included in the accountability for shedding human blood, highlighting the sanctity of human life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mankind.htm">Mankind</a></b><br>The broader human race, which is held accountable for the shedding of human blood.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_flood.htm">The Flood</a></b><br>The preceding event that led to the establishment of this covenant, marking a new beginning for creation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sanctity_of_human_life.htm">Sanctity of Human Life</a></b><br>Human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God. This verse emphasizes the value God places on life and the seriousness of taking it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a></b><br>God is just and requires accountability for actions, especially those that harm others. This principle should guide our interactions and respect for life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_responsibility.htm">Moral Responsibility</a></b><br>As stewards of God's creation, humans have a responsibility to protect and preserve life, reflecting God's care and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>This verse highlights the importance of community accountability, where both individuals and groups are responsible for upholding the sanctity of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_authority.htm">Role of Authority</a></b><br>The verse implies a structure where justice is maintained, pointing to the role of authorities in upholding God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_constitutes_the_noahide_laws.htm">What constitutes the Noahide Laws?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_christmas_originally_pagan.htm">Why does God pose questions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_24_10-12_conflict_with_other_bible_stories.htm">Proverbs 24:10–12: Does this claim about rescuing those in peril conflict with stories of inaction or injustice found elsewhere in the Bible? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_jacob's_130_years_plausible.htm">How can Jacob realistically claim to be 130 years old (Genesis 47:9) without contradicting known human lifespans?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Your blood of your lives. . . . --</span>This verse should be translated: "And surely your blood, <span class= "ital">which is </span>for your souls, will I require (<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>avenge); from every beast will I require it, and from man: even from a man's brother will I require the soul of man," as from Cain. "Your blood, which is for your souls," means that it is the means for the maintenance of the animal life within them. As it is, then, the support of man's life, au animal which sheds it becomes guilty, and must be slain; and still more must those animals be destroyed which prey upon man. Thus there is a command given for the extirpation of the carnivora at the time when the more peaceful animals had just been saved. The last clause literally is . . . <span class= "ital">at the hand of man, at the hand of one that is his brother, will I require the soul of man. </span>This has nothing to do with the avenger of blood. The near kinsman is here the murderer, and the commandment requires that even such an one should not be spared.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And surely</span>. Again the conjunction <span class="hebrew">אַך</span> introduces a restriction. The blood of beasts might without fear be shed for necessary uses, but the blood of man was holy and inviolable. Following the LXX. (<span class="greek">καὶ γὰρ</span>), Jerome, Pererius, Mercerus, Calvin, Peele, Willet give a causal sense to the conjunction, as if it supplied the reason of' the foregoing restriction - a sense which, according to Furst ('Hebrews Lex.,' <span class="accented">sub nom</span>.) it sometimes, though rarely, has; as in <a href="/2_kings/24-3.htm">2 Kings 24:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12</a>; <a href="/psalms/68-22.htm">Psalm 68:22</a>; but in each case <span class="hebrew">אַך</span> is better rendered "surely." <span class="cmt_word">Your blood of your lives.</span> <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> <span class="accented">For</span> your souls, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> in requital for them - <span class="accented">lex talionis</span>, blood for blood, life for life (Kalisch, Wordsworth, Bush); <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> for your souls, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> for their protection (Gesenins, Miehaelis, Schumann, Tuch); <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> <span class="accented">from</span> your souls - a prohibition against suicide (Suma-tan); . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/9-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And surely</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַ֨ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’aḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will require</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶדְרֹ֔שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’eḏ·rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the life of any</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאָדָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or beast</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by whose hand</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיַּד֙</span> <span class="translit">(mî·yaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your lifeblood [is shed].</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶם֙</span> <span class="translit">(lə·nap̄·šō·ṯê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will demand an accounting</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶדְרֹ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’eḏ·rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from anyone</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאָדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[who takes] the life</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֥פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his fellow man:</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">OT Law: Genesis 9:5 I will surely require your blood (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/9-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 9:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 9:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 9:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 9:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>