Genesis 7:1

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
לְנֹ֔חַ
unto Noah
noach, the patriarch of the flood
#4
בֹּֽא
Come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#5
אַתָּ֥ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#6
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
בֵּיתְךָ֖
thou and all thy house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
הַתֵּבָ֑ה
into the ark
a box
#10
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
אֹתְךָ֥
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
רָאִ֛יתִי
for thee have I seen
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#13
צַדִּ֥יק
righteous
just
#14
לְפָנַ֖י
before me
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#15
בַּדּ֥וֹר
generation
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
#16
הַזֶּֽה׃
in this
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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