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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 8:8 Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/8-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/01_Gen_08_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 8:8 - Noah Sends a Raven and a Dove" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground." /><script type="application/javascript" 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href="/bsb/genesis/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he sent out a dove, to see if the water was low on the surface of the land;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then he sent out a dove from him, to see if the water was abated from the face of the land;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then he sent out a dove from him, to see if the water was abated from the face of the land;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he sent out a dove from him, to see if the water was abated from the face of the land;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the water level had fallen below the surface of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he sent out a dove to see whether the water on the earth’s surface had gone down,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he sent out a dove to see whether the water on the earth&#8217s surface had gone down, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Noah wanted to find out if the water had gone down, so he sent out a dove. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Next, he sent out a dove to see if the water was gone from the surface of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Noah sent out a dove to see if the water had gone down, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, he sent a dove out from the ark to see whether the water that covered the land's surface had completely receded, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the surface of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then he sent forth a dove from it, to see if the waters had abated from the surface of the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He himself sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from the surface of the ground, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he sends forth the dove from him to see whether the waters have been lightened from off the face of the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he sendeth forth the dove from him to see whether the waters have been lightened from off the face of the ground,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he shall send forth the dove from with him to see if the waters were diminished from the face of the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He sent forth also a dove after him, to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Likewise, he sent forth a dove after him, in order to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then he released a dove, to see if the waters had lessened on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he sent out the dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then he sent forth a dove from the ark, to see if the waters had abated from the face of the ground;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he sent a dove from his presence, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the Earth;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he sent a dove after it to see if the water had ceased from off the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/8-8.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=1702" 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/8.htm">Noah Sends a Raven and a Dove</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>and sent out a raven. It kept flying back and forth until the waters had dried up from the earth. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·šal·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">Then Noah sent out</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/854.htm" title="854: mê·’it·tōw (Prep-m:: 3ms) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3123.htm" title="3123: hay·yō·w·nāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Dove. Probably from the same as yayin; a dove.">a dove</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: lir·’ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">to see</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">if the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: hă·qal·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">had receded</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">the surface</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: hā·’ă·ḏā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">of the ground.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>But the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him in the ark, because the waters were still covering the surface of all the earth. So he reached out his hand and brought her back inside the ark.…<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="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-10.htm">Mark 1:10</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-22.htm">Luke 3:22</a></span><br />and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-32.htm">John 1:32</a></span><br />Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-20.htm">1 Peter 3:20-21</a></span><br />who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. / And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">Hebrews 11:7</a></span><br />By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-5.htm">2 Peter 2:5</a></span><br />if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-9.htm">Isaiah 54:9</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/29-10.htm">Psalm 29:10</a></span><br />The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-37.htm">Matthew 24:37-39</a></span><br />As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. / For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-26.htm">Luke 17:26-27</a></span><br />Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-19.htm">1 Peter 3:19-20</a></span><br />in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison / who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-37.htm">Job 38:37</a></span><br />Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Or who can tilt the water jars of the heavens<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-6.htm">Psalm 104:6-9</a></span><br />You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. / At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— / the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You assigned for them— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-9.htm">Isaiah 11:9</a></span><br />They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;</p><p class="hdg">a dove.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/8-10.htm">Genesis 8:10-12</a></b></br> And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/1-15.htm">Song of Solomon 1:15</a></b></br> Behold, thou <i>art</i> fair, my love; behold, thou <i>art</i> fair; thou <i>hast</i> doves' eyes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/2-11.htm">Song of Solomon 2:11,12,14</a></b></br> For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over <i>and</i> gone; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/8-3.htm">Abated</a> <a href="/john/1-32.htm">Dove</a> <a href="/genesis/8-7.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/7-23.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/8-7.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/7-23.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/james/1-10.htm">Low</a> <a href="/genesis/8-5.htm">Receded</a> <a href="/genesis/8-1.htm">Subsided</a> <a href="/genesis/7-23.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/genesis/8-7.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/8-7.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/revelation/19-18.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/8-11.htm">Abated</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Dove</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/8-13.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/24-26.htm">Low</a> <a href="/genesis/8-11.htm">Receded</a> <a href="/genesis/8-11.htm">Subsided</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/8-9.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/8-1.htm">God remembers Noah and calms the waters.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/8-4.htm">The ark rests on Ararat.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/8-6.htm">Noah sends forth a raven and then a dove.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/8-13.htm">Noah, being commanded, goes forth from the ark.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/8-20.htm">He builds an altar, and offers sacrifices,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">which God accepts, and promises to curse the earth no more.</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'; 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The dove, unlike the raven, is a symbol of peace and purity throughout Scripture. Doves are often associated with the Holy Spirit, as seen in the New Testament during Jesus' baptism (<a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a>). The choice of a dove may reflect Noah's hope for a sign of peace and renewal after the judgment of the flood.<p><b>to see if the waters had receded</b><br>This phrase indicates Noah's desire to assess the condition of the earth post-flood. The receding waters symbolize the end of God's judgment and the beginning of restoration. The flood narrative echoes the creation account, where God separates waters to create dry land (<a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Genesis 1:9</a>). Here, Noah is seeking confirmation that the earth is being restored to a habitable state.<p><b>from the surface of the ground</b><br>The focus on the "surface of the ground" highlights the importance of dry land for human habitation and the continuation of life. This phrase connects to the promise of God to never again destroy all living creatures as He did with the flood (<a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a>). The ground, once cursed due to Adam's sin (<a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17</a>), is now being renewed, pointing to God's redemptive plan for creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah</a></b><br>The central human figure in this account, Noah is a righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth. He is obedient and faithful, following God's instructions meticulously.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/dove.htm">Dove</a></b><br>A bird sent out by Noah to determine if the floodwaters had receded. The dove is often seen as a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit in Christian theology.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ark.htm">Ark</a></b><br>The large vessel built by Noah under God's command to save his family and pairs of every kind of animal from the flood.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/flood.htm">Flood</a></b><br>A cataclysmic event sent by God to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness, sparing only Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/earth.htm">Earth</a></b><br>The ground that was submerged under the floodwaters, which Noah is checking to see if it has become habitable again.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_faithfulness.htm">Obedience and Faithfulness</a></b><br>Noah's actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when the outcome is uncertain. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_dove.htm">Symbolism of the Dove</a></b><br>The dove represents peace, hope, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christians are called to be bearers of peace and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/new_beginnings.htm">New Beginnings</a></b><br>Just as the floodwaters receded to reveal a renewed earth, God offers new beginnings and redemption through Christ. Believers can find hope in God's promise of renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/patience_in_god's_timing.htm">Patience in God's Timing</a></b><br>Noah's patience in waiting for the waters to recede teaches the value of waiting on God's timing. Christians are reminded to be patient and trust that God is working even when they cannot see it.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_sola_and_solo_scriptura_differ.htm">What was the duration of Noah's time on the ark?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/holy_spirit_symbols.htm">What are the symbols of the Holy Spirit?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_birds_symbolize_in_noah's_story.htm">What do the birds symbolize in Noah's flood story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_ravens_doves_survive_in_the_flood.htm">In Genesis 8:7-9, how do ravens and doves survive and find food and rest if the land was still mostly flooded?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8, 9) <span class= "bld">He sent forth a dove . . . --</span>From the nature of its food, the raven had not brought back to Noah any special information; but as the dove feeds on vegetable products, he hopes that he shall learn by her means what is the state of "the ground," the low-lying <span class= "ital">adamah. </span>But as this species of bird does not fly far from its home, except when assembled in vast numbers, it quickly returned, finding water all around. This proves that the ark had not settled upon a lofty eminence; for as it had been already aground 120 days, and as within another fortnight the waters had "abated from off the earth," it could only have been in some valley or plain among the mountains of Ararat that the waters were thus "on the face of the whole earth," the larger word, yet which certainly does not mean here the whole world, but only a very small region in the immediate neighbourhood of the ark. For, supposing that the raven was sent out one week before the dove, forty-seven days (see <a href="/genesis/8-6.htm" title="And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:">Genesis 8:6</a>) would have elapsed since Noah beheld the glorious panorama of mountain heights all around, and seven days afterwards the dove brought him a freshplucked olive-leaf. Yet, literally, the words are, <span class= "ital">for waters were upon the face of the whole earth. </span>Plainly these large terms in the language of the Bible are to be limited in their interpretation by the general tenor of its narratives. For a similar conclusive instance, comp. <a href="/exodus/9-6.htm" title="And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.">Exodus 9:6</a> with <a href="/context/exodus/9-19.htm" title="Send therefore now, and gather your cattle, and all that you have in the field; for on every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down on them, and they shall die.">Exodus 9:19-20</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 8, 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Also he sent forth</span> - per. 10 seems to Warrant the inference that this was after an interval of seven days (Baumgarten, Knobel, Keil, Lange) - <span class="cmt_word">a dove</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">the</span> dove. The Scriptural references to the dove are very numerous: cf. <a href="/psalms/68-14.htm">Psalm 68:14</a> (its beautiful plumage); <a href="/leviticus/5-7.htm">Leviticus 5:7</a>; <a href="/leviticus/12-6.htm">Leviticus 12:6</a> (its sacrificial use); <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Isaiah 38:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/59-11.htm">Isaiah 59:11</a> (its plaintive notes); <a href="/psalms/55-6.htm">Psalm 55:6</a> (its power of flight); <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> (its gentleness); <span class="accented">vide</span> also the metaphorical usage of the term in <a href="/songs/1-15.htm">Song of Solomon 1:15</a>; <a href="/songs/5-12.htm">Song of Solomon 5:12</a> (beautiful eyes); <a href="/songs/5-2.htm">Song of Solomon 5:2</a>; <a href="/songs/6-9.htm">Song of Solomon 6:9</a> (a term of endearment). <span class="cmt_word">From him</span>. I.e. from himself, from the ark; not <span class="greek">ὀπίχω</span> <span class="greek">αὐτοῦ</span> (LXX.), <span class="accented">post eum</span> (Vulgate); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> after the raven. Lange thinks the expression indicates that the gentle creature had to be driven from its shelter out upon the wide waste of water. <span class="cmt_word">To see if the waters were abated</span> - literally, <span class="accented">lightened, i.e.</span> decreased (per. 11) - <span class="cmt_word">from off the face of the ground; but the dove found no rest for the solo of her foot</span>. The earth being not yet dry, but wet and muddy, and doves delighting to settle only on such places as are dry and clean; or the mountain tops, though visible, being either too distant or too high, and doves delighting in valleys and level plains, whence they are called <span class="accented">doves of the valleys</span> (<a href="/ezekiel/7-16.htm">Ezekiel 7:16</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were upon</span> (literally, <span class="accented">waters</span> upon; a much more graphic statement than appears in the A.V.) <span class="cmt_word">the face of the whole earth: then</span> (literally, <span class="accented">and</span>) <span class="cmt_word">he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in</span> (literally, <span class="accented">caused her to come in</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>unto him into the ark</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/8-8.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">Then [Noah] sent out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·šal·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a dove</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיּוֹנָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·w·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3123.htm">Strong's 3123: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dove</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to see</span><br /><span class="heb">לִרְאוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(lir·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if the waters</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had receded</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲקַ֣לּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hă·qal·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעַ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the surface</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the ground.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ground, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/8-8.htm">Genesis 8:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/8-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 8:8 He sent forth a dove from him (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/8-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 8:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 8:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/8-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 8:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 8:9" /></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>