Genesis 9:14

Modern

Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,

Traditional

And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

Literal

And it shall come to pass in My bringing a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud.

Latin

Cumque obduxero nubibus cælum, apparebit arcus meus in nubibus:

Hebrew

English

Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,

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.

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