What Covenant Did God Establish in Genesis 9?

God established a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature that He would never again destroy all living things by a flood. Genesis 9, together with this promise, sets out the standard for how life is to be treated. God placed the rainbow as the sign of the covenant.

What God Said First After the Flood

Genesis 9 begins with God blessing Noah and his sons. God told them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. He gave them living animals for food, but He told them not to eat blood, which is life.

He then gave words concerning human life as well. God said that He would require a reckoning for human blood. The reason He spoke so seriously about one person shedding another’s blood is that God made human beings in His own image.

These words show that God allowed life to continue even after the flood. At the same time, they reveal the standard that life must not be handled carelessly. God told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply again.

The Covenant Was Not a Promise Given Only to Noah

God directly told the sons who were with Noah who the covenant was for. That covenant was established with Noah and his descendants. It also included every bird, livestock, and creature of the earth that came out of the ark.

The promise God made is clear: He would never again destroy all living creatures by a flood. He also said there would never again be a flood to destroy the earth.

Therefore, Genesis 9 cannot be read as a covenant limited only to human beings. The passage repeatedly mentions not only Noah’s family and their descendants, but also every living creature with them. God confirmed that He established this covenant between Himself and every living creature on the earth.

The Rainbow Was the Sign of the Covenant Established by God

God placed the rainbow in the clouds and said it was the sign of the covenant He had made with the world. When clouds covered the earth and the rainbow appeared, God said He would remember the covenant between Himself and every living creature. It is the promise that waters would not become a flood that destroys all living things.

The passage does not add many extra meanings to the rainbow itself. It does not explain the rainbow as representing anyone’s heart or behavior. The meaning Genesis 9 makes explicit is that the rainbow is the sign of the everlasting covenant established by God.

At the center of this sign is not what a person promised God. It is what God promised. God said that when He sees the rainbow, He will remember the covenant He established between Himself and every living creature.

The Family of Noah After the Covenant Was Given

The latter part of the passage records that Noah planted a vineyard and became drunk on wine. Ham saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers. Shem and Japheth took a garment on their shoulders, walked backward, and covered their father’s nakedness.

After Noah awoke from his wine, he learned what his youngest son had done and spoke concerning Canaan. He then spoke concerning Shem, Japheth, and Canaan. Genesis 9 records that after this event Noah lived 350 years after the flood and died at the age of 950.

The passage does not say that this later event canceled the covenant established earlier. The object, content, and sign of the covenant God established are clearly recorded in verses 8 through 17. Therefore, when confirming the covenant in this chapter, it is important to hold fast to what God Himself directly declared.

One Sentence to Confirm Today

Today, read Genesis 9 and find the object of the covenant, the content of the promise, and the sign of the covenant in verses 8 through 17. Then write one sentence: “God promised Noah and every living creature that He would never again destroy all living things by a flood, and He placed the rainbow as the sign.” This is one action that accurately confirms the promise the passage directly states.

Text Basis

• Genesis 9:1-7
• Genesis 9:8-17
• Genesis 9:18-29