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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 9:12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/9-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/01_Gen_09_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 9:12 - The Covenant of the Rainbow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And God said, This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nasb/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> God said, &#8220This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; <a href="/nasb77/genesis/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; <a href="/lsb/genesis/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am giving to be between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; <a href="/amp/genesis/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And God said, “This is the token (visible symbol, memorial) of the [solemn] covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; <a href="/csb/genesis/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: <a href="/hcsb/genesis/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And God said, &#8220This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: <a href="/asv/genesis/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations. <a href="/erv/genesis/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: <a href="/gwt/genesis/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God said, "This is the sign of the promise I am giving to you and every living being that is with you for generations to come. <a href="/gnt/genesis/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> As a sign of this everlasting covenant which I am making with you and with all living beings, <a href="/isv/genesis/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> God also said, "Here's the symbol that represents the covenant that I'm making between me and you and every living being with you, for all future generations: <a href="/msb/genesis/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And God said, ?This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: <a href="/net/genesis/9.htm">NET Bible</a> And God said, "This is the guarantee of the covenant I am making with you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all subsequent generations: <a href="/nheb/genesis/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: <a href="/wbt/genesis/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations. <a href="/web/genesis/9.htm">World English Bible</a> God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And God says, “This is a token of the covenant which I am giving between Me and you, and every living creature that [is] with you, to continuous generations; <a href="/ylt/genesis/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And God saith, 'This is a token of the covenant which I am giving between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, to generations age-during; <a href="/slt/genesis/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And God will say, This is a sign of the covenant which I give between me and between you, and between every breathing thing living which is with you for future generations.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I will give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And God said: “This is the sign of the pact that I grant between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. <a href="/nabre/genesis/9.htm">New American Bible</a> God said: This is the sign of the covenant that I am making between me and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come: <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And God said to Noah, This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: <a href="/hpbt/genesis/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I am giving between me and you and between every soul living that is with you, for the generations of the world:<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And God said: 'This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: <a href="/sep/genesis/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the Lord God said to Noe, This is the sign of the covenant which I set between me and you, and between every living creature which is with you for perpetual generations. <a href="/parallel/genesis/9-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=1943" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/9.htm">The Covenant of the Rainbow</a> …11And I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12<a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">And God</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: zōṯ (Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">“This</a> <a href="/hebrew/226.htm" title="226: ’ō·wṯ- (N-csc) -- A sign. Probably from 'uwth; a signal, as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.">is the sign</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: hab·bə·rîṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">of the covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nō·ṯên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">am making</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bê·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- An interval, space between. ">between Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇê·nê·ḵem (Conj-w:: Prep:: 2mp) -- An interval, space between. ">and you</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇên (Conj-w:: Prep) -- An interval, space between. ">and</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.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yāh (Adj-fs) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">living</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ne·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">creature</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tə·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: lə·ḏō·rōṯ (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling.">a covenant for all generations</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">to come:</a> 13I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11</a> You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Genesis 17:13</a> Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant. <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19</a> But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. <a href="/exodus/12-14.htm">Exodus 12:14</a> And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come. <a href="/exodus/31-13.htm">Exodus 31:13</a> “Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. <a href="/leviticus/23-41.htm">Leviticus 23:41</a> You are to celebrate this as a feast to the LORD for seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come; you are to celebrate it in the seventh month. <a href="/numbers/15-39.htm">Numbers 15:39</a> These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a> Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. <a href="/deuteronomy/29-14.htm">Deuteronomy 29:14-15</a> I am making this covenant and this oath not only with you, / but also with those who are standing here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God, as well as with those who are not here today. <a href="/2_samuel/23-5.htm">2 Samuel 23:5</a> Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire? <a href="/psalms/105-8.htm">Psalm 105:8-10</a> He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: <a href="/isaiah/54-9.htm">Isaiah 54:9-10</a> “For to Me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. / Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ... <a href="/ezekiel/16-60.htm">Ezekiel 16:60</a> But I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Hosea 2:19-20</a> So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:<a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11</a> And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.<a href="/exodus/12-13.htm">Exodus 12:13</a> And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.<a href="/exodus/13-16.htm">Exodus 13:16</a> And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jude/1-21.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/genesis/9-11.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/genesis/9-11.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/genesis/9-10.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/revelation/22-3.htm">Future</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/genesis/2-4.htm">Making</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-12.htm">Perpetual</a> <a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/genesis/9-10.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/acts/17-2.htm">Successive</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-17.htm">Token</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/9-16.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/genesis/9-13.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/genesis/9-13.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/genesis/9-15.htm">Creature</a> <a href="/genesis/30-33.htm">Future</a> <a href="/genesis/10-1.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Making</a> <a href="/exodus/29-9.htm">Perpetual</a> <a href="/genesis/9-13.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/genesis/12-13.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/ezekiel/41-7.htm">Successive</a> <a href="/genesis/9-13.htm">Token</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 9</div>1. <a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">God blesses Noah and his sons, and grants them flesh for food.</a> 4. <a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Blood and murder are forbidden.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/9-8.htm">God's covenant, of which the rainbow was constituted a pledge.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/9-18.htm">Noah's family replenishes the world.</a> 20. <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Noah plants a vineyard,</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">Is drunken, and mocked by his son;</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Curses Canaan;</a> 26. <a href="/genesis/9-26.htm">Blesses Shem;</a> 27. <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Prays for Japheth, and dies.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>And God said, This phrase emphasizes the divine authority and initiative. Throughout Scripture, when God speaks, it signifies the importance and certainty of His words. It reflects the creative power of God, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>, where God speaks creation into existence.This is the sign of the covenant A covenant in biblical terms is a solemn agreement or promise, often accompanied by a sign. Here, the sign is the rainbow, symbolizing God's promise. Covenants are central to biblical theology, with other examples including the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants. Each covenant has a sign, such as circumcision for Abraham and the Sabbath for Moses.I am making between Me and you This indicates a personal relationship between God and humanity, represented by Noah. It reflects the relational nature of God, who desires to establish a bond with His creation. This personal aspect is seen in other covenants, such as God's promises to Abraham and David.and every living creature with you, The covenant extends beyond humanity to include all living creatures, highlighting God's care for all creation. This universal scope is unique and underscores the comprehensive nature of God's promise. It reflects the original creation mandate where humans and animals coexist under God's provision.a covenant for all generations to come: This phrase emphasizes the perpetual nature of the covenant. It is not limited to Noah's time but extends to all future generations. This enduring promise is a theme throughout Scripture, seen in God's everlasting covenant with Abraham and the eternal nature of the New Covenant through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who establishes a covenant with Noah and all living creatures. 2. <a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah</a> The righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth. 3. <a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a> A divine promise or agreement, in this context, between God and all living creatures. 4. <a href="/topical/l/living_creatures.htm">Living Creatures</a> All animals and humans that survived the flood and are included in God's covenant. 5. <a href="/topical/g/generations_to_come.htm">Generations to Come</a> Refers to all future descendants of Noah and the living creatures, indicating the perpetual nature of the covenant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_god's_covenants.htm">The Nature of God's Covenants</a> God's covenants are initiated by Him and are based on His faithfulness, not human merit. <a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_god's_promise.htm">The Universality of God's Promise</a> The covenant includes all living creatures, highlighting God's care for all creation. <a href="/topical/t/the_perpetual_nature_of_god's_promises.htm">The Perpetual Nature of God's Promises</a> The covenant is for "all generations to come," emphasizing its eternal aspect. <a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_signs.htm">The Significance of Signs</a> God uses physical signs (like the rainbow) to remind us of His promises and faithfulness. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_faithfulness.htm">Trust in God's Faithfulness</a> Just as God kept His promise to Noah, we can trust Him to keep His promises to us today.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 9</a> <a href="/q/key_events_in_genesis.htm">What are the key events in the Book of Genesis?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_emerald_rainbow's_meaning.htm">What is the significance of the emerald rainbow?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_floods_occur_if_god_vowed_not_to.htm">If God vowed never again to flood the whole Earth, why do devastating floods still occur (Genesis 9:11)? </a> <a href="/q/how_to_biblically_guide_children.htm">How should parents guide their children biblically?</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>(12) This is the token of the covenant.--The word rendered "token" really means sign, and is a term that has met with very unfortunate treatment in our Version, especially in the New Testament, where--as, for instance, in St. John's Gospel--it is too frequently translated miracle. Its meaning will be best seen by examining some of the places where it occurs: e.g., <a href="/genesis/17-11.htm" title="And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant between me and you.">Genesis 17:11</a>; <a href="/exodus/3-12.htm" title="And he said, Certainly I will be with you; and this shall be a token to you, that I have sent you: When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.">Exodus 3:12</a>; <a href="/exodus/12-13.htm" title="And the blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.">Exodus 12:13</a>; <a href="/exodus/13-16.htm" title="And it shall be for a token on your hand, and for frontlets between your eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.">Exodus 13:16</a>; <a href="/numbers/17-10.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and you shall quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.">Numbers 17:10</a>; <a href="/joshua/2-12.htm" title="Now therefore, I pray you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness to my father's house, and give me a true token:">Joshua 2:12</a>; <a href="/job/21-29.htm" title="Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their tokens,">Job 21:29</a>; <a href="/psalms/65-8.htm" title="They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at your tokens: you make the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.">Psalm 65:8</a>; <a href="/psalms/86-17.htm" title="Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because you, LORD, have helped me, and comforted me.">Psalm 86:17</a>; <a href="/psalms/135-9.htm" title="Who sent tokens and wonders into the middle of you, O Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants.">Psalm 135:9</a>; <a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm" title="That frustrates the tokens of the liars, and makes diviners mad; that turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish;">Isaiah 44:25</a>. In the majority of these places the sign, or token, is some natural occurrence, but in its higher meaning it is a proof or indication of God's immediate working. On proper occasions, therefore, it will be supernatural, because the proof of God's direct agency will most fitly be some act such as God alone can accomplish. More frequently it is something natural. Thus the sign to the shepherds of the birth of a Saviour, who was "the anointed Jehovah" (<a href="/luke/2-11.htm" title="For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.">Luke 2:11</a>), was their finding in a manger a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, a thing of the most simple and ordinary kind. We may dismiss, then, all such curious speculations as that no rain fell before the flood, or that some condition was wanting necessary for producing this glorious symbol. What Noah needed was a guarantee and a memorial which, as often as rain occurred, would bring back to his thoughts the Divine promise; and such a memorial was best taken from the natural accompaniments of rain. We may further notice with Maimonides that the words are not, as in our version, "I do set," but my how I have set in the cloud: that is, the bow which God set in the cloud on that day of creation in which He imposed upon air and water those laws which produce this phenomenon, is now to become the sign of a solemn compact made with man by God, whereby He gives man the assurance that neither himself nor his works shall ever again be swept away by a flood. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - And God said, This is the token - אות (vide Genesis 1:14; 4:15) - of the covenant which I make - literally, am giving (cf. <a href="/genesis/17-2.htm">Genesis 17:2</a>) - between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations. Le'doroth (vide Genesis 6:9); olam (from alam, to hide, to conceal), pr. that which is hidden; hence, specially, time of which either the beginning or the end is uncertain or undefined, the duration being usually determined by the nature of the case (vide Gesenius, 'Hebrews Lex.,' sub voce). Here the meaning is, that so long as there were circuits or generations of men upon the earth, so long would this covenant endure. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/9-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And God אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “This זֹ֤את (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, is the sign אֽוֹת־ (’ō·wṯ-) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_226.htm">Strong's 226: </a> A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence of the covenant הַבְּרִית֙ (hab·bə·rîṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> A covenant I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I am making נֹתֵ֗ן (nō·ṯên) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set between Me and you בֵּינִי֙ (bê·nî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> An interval, space between and every כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every living חַיָּ֖ה (ḥay·yāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life creature נֶ֥פֶשׁ (ne·p̄eš) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion with you, אִתְּכֶ֑ם (’it·tə·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> Nearness, near, with, by, at, among [a covenant] for all generations לְדֹרֹ֖ת (lə·ḏō·rōṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1755.htm">Strong's 1755: </a> A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling to come: עוֹלָֽם׃ (‘ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/9-12.htm">Genesis 9:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/9-12.htm">OT Law: Genesis 9:12 God said This is the token (Gen. 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