Genesis 9:13

Modern

I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

Traditional

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Literal

My bow I have set in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and between the earth.

Latin

…arcum meum ponam in nubibus, et erit signum fœderis inter me et inter terram.

Hebrew

English

I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

God brought great judgment through the rainstorm (a very large and destructive storm). Now he gives the rainbow as a sign of peace for the whole earth (see 9:17). The rainbow appears after the rainstorm and is connected to it, but it now shows that God will not destroy the earth in this way again.
The same Hebrew word can mean both “rainbow” and “bow” (a weapon used in war). In some places, God is described as a warrior who shoots arrows to bring judgment (see Deuteronomy 32:42; Psalms 7:12; 18:13–14; Habakkuk 3:9–11). Because of this, some interpreters think the picture in Genesis 9:13–17 shows God hanging up his bow. This means he is putting aside his weapon of judgment and choosing peace instead.

In God's second speech after the great flood, he promises to protect and preserve creation.

Theme notes and profiles

Ezekiel 1:28
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.
Revelation 10:1
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.
Revelation 4:3
The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.