Genesis 9:13 - The Covenant of the Rainbow (2024)

Verse (Click for Chapter)

New International Version
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.New Living Translation
I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.English Standard Version
I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.Berean Standard Bible
I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.King James Bible
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.New King James Version
I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.New American Standard Bible
I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall serve as a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.NASB 1995
I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.NASB 1977
I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.Legacy Standard Bible
I put My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.Amplified Bible
I set My rainbow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.Christian Standard Bible
I have placed my bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have placed My bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. American Standard Version
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.Aramaic Bible in Plain English
My rainbow I have given in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of my covenant between me and the Earth.Brenton Septuagint Translation
I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of covenant between me and the earth.Douay-Rheims Bible
I will set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be the sign of a covenant between me, and between the earth. English Revised Version
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will put my rainbow in the clouds to be a sign of my promise to the earth.Good News Translation
I am putting my bow in the clouds. It will be the sign of my covenant with the world. International Standard Version
I've set my rainbow in the sky to symbolize the covenant between me and the earth. JPS Tanakh 1917
I have set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth.Literal Standard Version
My bow I have given in the cloud, and it has been for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth;Majority Standard Bible
I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.New American Bible
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.NET Bible
I will place my rainbow in the clouds, and it will become a guarantee of the covenant between me and the earth.New Revised Standard Version
I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.New Heart English Bible
I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.Webster's Bible Translation
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.World English Bible
I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth. Young's Literal Translation
My bow I have given in the cloud, and it hath been for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth;Additional Translations ...

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 13. - I do set. Literally, I have given, or placed, an indication that the atmospheric phenomenon referred to had already frequently appeared (Syriac, Arabic, Aben Ezra, Chrysostom, Calvin, Willet, Murphy, Wordsworth, Kalisch, Lange). The contrary opinion has been maintained that it now for the first time appeared (Bush, Keil, Delitzsch), or at least that the historian thought so (Knobel); but unless there had been no rain, or the laws of light and the atmospheric conditions of the earth had been different from what they are at present, it must have been a frequent spectacle in the primeval heavens. My bow. i.e. the rainbow, τόξον (LXX.), (cf. Ezekiel 1:28). The ordinary rainbow consists of a series of successive zones or bands of polarized light, forming little concentric circles in the sky, and having a common center almost always below the horizon, and diametrically opposite to the sun. It is produced by the refraction and reflection of the sun's light through the spherical raindrops on which the rays fall, and, accordingly, must always appear, with a greater or a lesser degree of visibility, when the two material agencies come in contact The part of the sky on which the rainbow is thrown is much more bright within than without the bow. The outer space is dark, almost black; and the inner space, on the contrary, melts into the violet almost insensibly (Nichol's 'Cyclopedia of the Sciences,' art. Rainbow). It is here styled God's bow, as being his workmanship (cf. Ecclus. 43:12), and his seal appended to his covenant (Genesis 9:17). In the cloud, עָנָן that which veils the heavens, from a root signifying to cover (Gesenius). And it shall be for a token, לְאות = εἰς σημεῖον, (LXX.). In Greek mythology the rainbow is designated by a name (Iris) which is at least connected with εἴρω, to speak, and εἰρήνη, peace; is represented as the daughter of Thaumas (wonder), and Electra (brightness) the daughter of Oceanus; is assigned the office of messenger to the king and queen of Olympus; and is depicted as set in heaven for a sign (Homer, 'I1,' 11:27; 17:547, 548; 24:144, 159; Virgil, AEn.,' 4:694; 5:606; Ovid, 'Met.,' 1:270; 11:585). The Persians seem to have associated the rainbow with similar ideas. An old picture, mentioned by Stolberg, represents a winged boy on a rainbow with an old man kneeling in a posture, of worship. The Hindoos describe the rainbow as a warlike weapon in the hands of Indras their god, "with which he hurls flashing darts upon the impious giants;" but also as a symbol of peace exhibited to man "when the combat of the heavens is silenced." By the Chinese it is regarded as the harbinger of troubles and misfortunes on earth, and by the old Scandinavians as a bridge uniting earth and heaven ('Kalisch on Genesis,' pp. 223, 224). Traditional reflections of the Biblical narrative, they do not "account for the application in the Pentateuch of the rainbow to a very remarkable purpose," or "explain why the New Testament represents the rainbow as an attribute of the Divine throne," or "why angels are sent as messengers on earth" (Kalisch); but are themselves accounted for and explained by it. The institution of the rainbow as a sign clearly negatives the idea (Aquinas, Cajetan) that it was originally and naturally a sign; which, if it was, "it was a lying sign," since the Flood came notwithstanding its prognostications (Willet). Of a covenant. "The bow in the hands of man was an instrument of battle (Genesis 48:22; Psalm 7:12; Proverbs 6:2; Zechariah 9:10); but the bow bent by the hand of God has become a symbol of peace" (Wordsworth). Between me and the earth. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

FAQs

What does Genesis 9 13 say about the rainbow? ›

Genesis 9:13 In-Context

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: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

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What does the rainbow mean in Genesis? ›

After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah and all his descendants that never again would the human family be threatened with total annihilation by flood. The sign God gave Noah to assure him of this covenant was the rainbow. “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds I will remember my covenant.”

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What is the covenant with the rainbow? ›

I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

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What is the real reason for the rainbow? ›

A rainbow is caused by sunlight and atmospheric conditions. Light enters a water droplet, slowing down and bending as it goes from air to denser water. The light reflects off the inside of the droplet, separating into its component wavelengths--or colors. When light exits the droplet, it makes a rainbow.

What does the rainbow symbolize in the Bible? ›

Noah builds an altar to the Lord after being delivered from the Flood; God sends the rainbow as a sign of his covenant (Genesis 8–9).

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What did God promise rainbow in the Bible? ›

Genesis 9:12-17 CEV

The rainbow that I have put in the sky will be my sign to you and to every living creature on earth. It will remind you that I will keep this promise forever. When I send clouds over the earth, and a rainbow appears in the sky, I will remember my promise to you and to all other living creatures.

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What does "rainbow" stand for? ›

The rainbow flag is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBT) pride and LGBT social movements in use since the 1970s.

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What are the 7 colors of God's rainbow? ›

7 colors of the rainbow:

Red.
Orange.
Yellow.
Green.
Blue.
Indigo.
Violet.

Feb 22, 2024

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What does covenant mean in the Bible? ›

covenant. Literally, a contract . In the Bible (see also Bible ), an agreement between God and his people, in which God makes promises to his people and, usually, requires certain conduct from them. In the Old Testament , God made agreements with Noah , Abraham , and Moses .

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What is the significance of the rainbow as stated in Genesis 9-13-16? ›

The first mention of the rainbow occurs in Genesis right after the flood that destroyed the entire earth. God set the rainbow in the sky as a sign or a token of God's covenant with man that He will never destroy the earth again by a flood.

Is it a bow or rainbow in Genesis 9 13? ›

In Genesis 9:13, God tells Noah, “I set my bow (קשׁתי; qashti) in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and between the earth.” The Hebrew term for "bow" (קשת; qeshet) can refer to either a rainbow or an archer's bow used in hunting or warfare.

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Did God make a covenant with Noah rainbow? ›

God binds himself to a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising never to destroy the earth by flood (Gen. 9:8-17). God gives the rainbow as a sign of his promise. Although the earth has radically changed again, God's purposes for work remain the same.

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Is the rainbow God's promise? ›

The rainbow is a sign of God's redeeming grace and mercy. The Hebrew word translated “rainbow” is properly translated “war bow.” God set the bow in the sky to serve as the sign of the Noahic covenant—signifying His promise of redemption (Gen. 9:8–17).

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What are the seven colors of God's rainbow? ›