I have set My rainbow in the clouds
This phrase introduces the rainbow as a divine creation and symbol. The rainbow is not merely a natural phenomenon but is presented as a deliberate act of God. In the biblical context, the rainbow appears after the flood, symbolizing God's mercy and the end of His judgment upon the earth. The rainbow's appearance in the clouds signifies God's presence and His control over creation. Theologically, it represents God's promise and faithfulness, as He sets it in the sky as a reminder of His covenant. The rainbow's arch, reaching from earth to heaven, can be seen as a type of Christ, who bridges the gap between God and humanity.

and it will be a sign of the covenant
The term "sign" indicates that the rainbow is a visible reminder of an invisible promise. In biblical terms, a covenant is a solemn agreement between God and His people. This particular covenant is unconditional, meaning it does not depend on human actions but solely on God's promise. The rainbow as a sign is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God often uses physical symbols to represent spiritual truths. For example, circumcision is a sign of the Abrahamic covenant, and the Sabbath is a sign of the Mosaic covenant. The rainbow, therefore, serves as a perpetual reminder of God's grace and His commitment to never again destroy the earth with a flood.

between Me and the earth
This phrase emphasizes the universal scope of the covenant. Unlike other covenants in the Bible that are made with specific individuals or nations, this covenant is made with the entire earth and all its inhabitants. It underscores God's sovereignty over all creation and His care for the world He has made. The covenant is not just with humanity but with every living creature, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life. This universal aspect of the covenant points forward to the New Testament, where the gospel is extended to all nations, fulfilling God's plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. The phrase also reflects the biblical theme of God's ongoing relationship with His creation, which He sustains and preserves.

1. God
The Creator who establishes the covenant with Noah and all living creatures, signifying His promise with the rainbow.

2. Noah
The righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and repopulate the earth.

3. The Rainbow
A divine sign set in the clouds as a reminder of God's covenant with the earth.

4. The Covenant
A solemn agreement initiated by God, promising never to destroy all life with a flood again.

5. The Earth
The recipient of God's covenant, representing all living creatures and the natural world.God's Faithfulness
The rainbow is a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness and His promises. Just as He kept His promise to Noah, He remains faithful to His promises today.

Covenant Relationship
God's covenant with Noah is a precursor to the new covenant through Jesus Christ. It highlights God's desire for a relationship with humanity based on His terms and promises.

Symbolism of the Rainbow
The rainbow serves as a symbol of hope and assurance. In times of trouble, believers can look to God's promises for comfort and strength.

Environmental Stewardship
The covenant includes the earth, reminding us of our responsibility to care for God's creation as stewards of His world.

Remembrance and Reflection
The rainbow encourages believers to remember God's past acts of salvation and reflect on His ongoing work in their lives.Verse 13. - I do set. Literally, I have given, or placed, an indication that the atmospheric phenomenon referred to had already frequently appeared (Syriac, Arabic, Aben Ezra, Chrysostom, Calvin, Willet, Murphy, Wordsworth, Kalisch, Lange). The contrary opinion has been maintained that it now for the first time appeared (Bush, Keil, Delitzsch), or at least that the historian thought so (Knobel); but unless there had been no rain, or the laws of light and the atmospheric conditions of the earth had been different from what they are at present, it must have been a frequent spectacle in the primeval heavens. My bow. i.e. the rainbow, τόξον (LXX.), (cf. Ezekiel 1:28). The ordinary rainbow consists of a series of successive zones or bands of polarized light, forming little concentric circles in the sky, and having a common center almost always below the horizon, and diametrically opposite to the sun. It is produced by the refraction and reflection of the sun's light through the spherical raindrops on which the rays fall, and, accordingly, must always appear, with a greater or a lesser degree of visibility, when the two material agencies come in contact The part of the sky on which the rainbow is thrown is much more bright within than without the bow. The outer space is dark, almost black; and the inner space, on the contrary, melts into the violet almost insensibly (Nichol's 'Cyclopedia of the Sciences,' art. Rainbow). It is here styled God's bow, as being his workmanship (cf. Ecclus. 43:12), and his seal appended to his covenant (Genesis 9:17). In the cloud, עָנָן that which veils the heavens, from a root signifying to cover (Gesenius). And it shall be for a token, לְאות = εἰς σημεῖον, (LXX.). In Greek mythology the rainbow is designated by a name (Iris) which is at least connected with εἴρω, to speak, and εἰρήνη, peace; is represented as the daughter of Thaumas (wonder), and Electra (brightness) the daughter of Oceanus; is assigned the office of messenger to the king and queen of Olympus; and is depicted as set in heaven for a sign (Homer, 'I1,' 11:27; 17:547, 548; 24:144, 159; Virgil, AEn.,' 4:694; 5:606; Ovid, 'Met.,' 1:270; 11:585). The Persians seem to have associated the rainbow with similar ideas. An old picture, mentioned by Stolberg, represents a winged boy on a rainbow with an old man kneeling in a posture, of worship. The Hindoos describe the rainbow as a warlike weapon in the hands of Indras their god, "with which he hurls flashing darts upon the impious giants;" but also as a symbol of peace exhibited to man "when the combat of the heavens is silenced." By the Chinese it is regarded as the harbinger of troubles and misfortunes on earth, and by the old Scandinavians as a bridge uniting earth and heaven ('Kalisch on Genesis,' pp. 223, 224). Traditional reflections of the Biblical narrative, they do not "account for the application in the Pentateuch of the rainbow to a very remarkable purpose," or "explain why the New Testament represents the rainbow as an attribute of the Divine throne," or "why angels are sent as messengers on earth" (Kalisch); but are themselves accounted for and explained by it. The institution of the rainbow as a sign clearly negatives the idea (Aquinas, Cajetan) that it was originally and naturally a sign; which, if it was, "it was a lying sign," since the Flood came notwithstanding its prognostications (Willet). Of a covenant. "The bow in the hands of man was an instrument of battle (Genesis 48:22; Psalm 7:12; Proverbs 6:2; Zechariah 9:10); but the bow bent by the hand of God has become a symbol of peace" (Wordsworth). Between me and the earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


I have set
נָתַ֖תִּי (nā·ṯat·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

My rainbow
קַשְׁתִּ֕י (qaš·tî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

in the clouds,
בֶּֽעָנָ֑ן (be·‘ā·nān)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6051: A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud

and it will be
וְהָֽיְתָה֙ (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a sign
לְא֣וֹת (lə·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 226: A signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence

of the covenant
בְּרִ֔ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

between
בֵּינִ֖י (bê·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Me
וּבֵ֥ין (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

and the earth.
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Law: Genesis 9:13 I set my rainbow in the cloud (Gen. Ge Gn)