Genesis 8:1

Authorized King James Version

And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר
H2142
remembered
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#2
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
H430
And God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#3
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
נֹ֔חַ
H5146
Noah
noach, the patriarch of the flood
#5
וְאֵ֤ת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
הַֽחַיָּה֙
H2416
and every living thing
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#8
וְאֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה
H929
and all the cattle
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אִתּ֖וֹ
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#13
בַּתֵּבָ֑ה
H8392
that was with him in the ark
a box
#14
וַיַּֽעֲבֵ֨ר
H5674
made
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
#15
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
H430
And God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#16
ר֙וּחַ֙
H7307
a wind
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#17
עַל
H5921
over
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#19
וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ
H7918
asswaged
to weave (i.e., lay) a trap; figuratively, (through the idea of secreting) to allay (passions; physically, abate a flood)
#20
הַמָּֽיִם׃
H4325
and the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

Analysis

This verse develops the creation and providence theme central to Genesis. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. The divine name or title here functions within foundational narrative establishing God's relationship with creation and humanity to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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