Keraia
Genesis 8

Genesis 8:21

Noah Builds an Altar · Genesis 8:20–22
Read Genesis 8

Translations

Modern
When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.
Traditional
And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Literal
And YHWH smelled the pleasing aroma, and YHWH said in His heart, “I will not continue to curse anymore the ground on account of mankind, though the inclination of the heart of man is evil from his youth. I will not continue anymore to destroy every living thing, as I have done.
Latin
Odoratusque est Dominus odorem suavitatis, et ait: Nequaquam ultra maledicam terræ propter homines: sensus enim et cogitatio humani cordis in malum prona sunt ab adolescentia sua: non igitur ultra percutiam omnem animam viventem sicut feci.

Original

Hebrew
English
When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.

Notes

Genesis 8:21

  • smelled the pleasing aroma: The narrator uses anthropomorphic language (he describes God’s activity in human terms) to show God’s acceptance of Noah’s offering (see also Exodus 29:18; Leviticus 1:9; Numbers 15:3). In the ancient Near East, people often believed that their gods ate the sacrifices offered to them. This idea is not found in the Bible.

  • in his heart: This is the same phrase as in 6:6. In the same way, here every inclination of his heart echoes "every inclination of the thoughts of his heart" (6:5). God’s commitment to a new order replaced his grief over the old.

  • Never again will I curse … destroy: The old curse remained (5:29), but God promised not to add to it. He set new limits for life in a chaotic world (compare Isaiah 54:9). The flood was meant to stop violence, not to change the human heart (the inner thoughts and desires that lead people to do wrong; Genesis 6:5). Human beings have a tendency toward evil, but this would be limited to some degree by a new law that holds people responsible for their actions (9:5–6).

Events

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Covenant Genesis, Book of God, Names of Land Mesopotamia Noah Offerings and Sacrifices Patriarchs, Period of the The Flood

Topics

Animal Sacrifices Being Born in Sin Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Full of Evil Imaginations Children: Wicked Covenant of God with Men: Everlasting Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Flood: The Promise That It should not Recur Global Warming God: Mercy of Heart: The Unregenerate is Full of Iniquity Humanity Imagination: General Scriptures Concerning Noah: Son of Lamech: Builds an Altar and offers Sacrifices Sacrifices were Accepted when offered in Sincerity and Faith Seed: Yearly Return of Time of Sowing, Secured by Covenant Sin: All the Imaginations of the Unrenewed Heart Are Sweetness The Burnt offering: Specially Acceptable The Deluge: That It Shall Never Again Occur: Promised The Fall of Man: Man in Consequence of Evil in Heart The Five Senses Worship: Acceptable to God