Noah Rainbow
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Introduction:
The rainbow associated with Noah is a significant biblical symbol found in the Book of Genesis. It represents God's covenant with humanity following the Great Flood. This entry explores the biblical narrative, theological implications, and the enduring significance of the rainbow in Christian thought.

Biblical Narrative:
The account of Noah's rainbow is found in Genesis 9:8-17. After the floodwaters receded, God established a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature. The rainbow served as a sign of this covenant, promising that God would never again destroy the earth with a flood. Genesis 9:13-15 states, "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."

Theological Implications:
1. Covenant and Promise: The rainbow is a divine assurance of God's mercy and faithfulness. It signifies a unilateral covenant initiated by God, emphasizing His grace and commitment to creation. This covenant is unconditional, requiring no action from humanity to maintain its validity.

2. Judgment and Mercy: The rainbow follows the narrative of the flood, a divine judgment on human wickedness. Its appearance symbolizes the balance between God's justice and mercy. While the flood was a response to sin, the rainbow is a reminder of God's promise to preserve life.

3. Symbol of Hope: For believers, the rainbow is a symbol of hope and reassurance. It serves as a reminder that God is sovereign and His promises are trustworthy. The rainbow encourages faith in God's future deliverance and the ultimate restoration of creation.

Enduring Significance:
1. Natural Phenomenon as Divine Sign: The rainbow, a natural meteorological phenomenon, is imbued with spiritual meaning in the biblical narrative. It demonstrates how God uses elements of creation to communicate with humanity.

2. Cultural and Religious Symbolism: Throughout history, the rainbow has been adopted as a symbol of peace, hope, and divine promise in various cultures. In Christian art and literature, it often represents God's glory and the bridge between heaven and earth.

3. Contemporary Reflections: In modern Christian thought, the rainbow continues to inspire reflections on God's faithfulness and the call to stewardship of creation. It challenges believers to live in harmony with God's creation, honoring the covenant established with Noah.

Conclusion:
The rainbow associated with Noah remains a powerful symbol within the Christian tradition. It encapsulates themes of covenant, divine promise, and hope, serving as a perpetual reminder of God's mercy and faithfulness to His creation.
Topical Bible Verses
Genesis 9:12-17
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
Topicalbible.org

Library

Noah's Flood
... Whether man had ever seen a rainbow before. Whether there had ever been rain before
in Noah's country; or whether he did not live in that land of which the ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon iv noahs flood.htm

The Story of Noah and the Ark
... Then God caused a rainbow to appear in the sky, and he told Noah and his sons that
whenever they or the people after them should see the rainbow, they should ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of noah and.htm

Noah and the Great Flood
... And Noah built an altar to Jehovah and took one of every beast and bird that ... you
and every living creature that is with you: I have placed my rainbow in the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/noah and the great flood.htm

The Great Flood.
... Noah did not forget how God had saved them, and he made an altar of stone, and offered
beasts and ... When he looked up to the sky there was a beautiful rainbow. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter ii the great flood.htm

Concerning the Flood; and after what Manner Noah was Saved in an ...
... 8. When Noah had made these supplications, God, who loved the man for his righteousness ...
left off my anger by my bow." [whereby is meant the rainbow, for they ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 concerning the flood.htm

The Sign for Man and the Remembrancer for God
... These blessings and commands are followed by this remarkable section, which deals
with God's covenant with Noah, and its token in the rainbow. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the sign for man and.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Noah
... all people, and in token thereof I have set my rainbow in the clouds of heaven,
for who that trespasseth I shall do justice otherwise on him. Noah lived after ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of.htm

From the Fall to the Flood.
... The Sacrifice and Rainbow Covenant. Upon leaving the Ark Noah expressed his
thanksgiving and devotion to God by erecting an altar to Jehovah and offering ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ii from the fall.htm

The Noachic Covenant
... which I have been preaching is your covenant; that as sure as the rainbow stands
in heaven, as sure as you and I are sprung out of the loins of Noah, so surely ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xi the noachic covenant.htm

The Promise.
... sacred spot to this day; and here God made His covenant with Noah, renewing His ... the
end of all things, and making the glorious tints of the rainbow, which are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson i the promise.htm

Resources
Why did Noah get drunk after the flood? | GotQuestions.org

What was it like in the days of Noah? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5)? | GotQuestions.org

Noah: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Noah

Noah Rainbow

Noah: A Daughter of Zelophehad, Special Legislation in Regard to the Inheritance of

Noah: Son of Lamech

Noah: Son of Lamech: Builds an Altar and offers Sacrifices

Noah: Son of Lamech: Builds an Ark (Ship) and Saves his Family from the Great Flood

Noah: Son of Lamech: Dies at the Age of Nine-Hundred and Fifty Years

Noah: Son of Lamech: His Blessing Upon Shem and Japheth

Noah: Son of Lamech: Intoxication of, and his Curse Upon Canaan

Noah: Son of Lamech: Receives the Covenant from God That No Flood Would Ever Again Visit the Earth

Noahs Ark

Related Terms

Noah's (5 Occurrences)

Spirits (129 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Six (198 Occurrences)

Zeloph'ehad (8 Occurrences)

Ship (122 Occurrences)

500 (4 Occurrences)

Violence (98 Occurrences)

Vine (76 Occurrences)

Sometime (5 Occurrences)

Spared (45 Occurrences)

Spare (80 Occurrences)

Spread (257 Occurrences)

Vineyard (69 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)

Violent (151 Occurrences)

Knoweth (152 Occurrences)

Shinar (8 Occurrences)

Sky (278 Occurrences)

Sin (782 Occurrences)

Ships (46 Occurrences)

Home (270 Occurrences)

Homeborn (4 Occurrences)

Home (270 Occurrences)

Homage (51 Occurrences)

Homeless (6 Occurrences)

Yea (867 Occurrences)

Youthful (4 Occurrences)

Ye (21989 Occurrences)

Youths (28 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Yard (8 Occurrences)

Yoked (10 Occurrences)

You (86697 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Yellowish (3 Occurrences)

Yearn (4 Occurrences)

Yes (511 Occurrences)

Yelled (1 Occurrence)

Yesterday (13 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Yellow (6 Occurrences)

Yearly (16 Occurrences)

Yesternight (4 Occurrences)

Yielding (19 Occurrences)

Yearned (5 Occurrences)

Yonder (15 Occurrences)

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)

Yourself (1195 Occurrences)

Yoke (79 Occurrences)

Yon (2 Occurrences)

Yield (78 Occurrences)

Yarn (37 Occurrences)

Yelling (1 Occurrence)

Year (4027 Occurrences)

Youngest (26 Occurrences)

Yell (1 Occurrence)

Yearnings (1 Occurrence)

Yearling (48 Occurrences)

Young (3454 Occurrences)

Yokefellow

Yawning (1 Occurrence)

Yearning (3 Occurrences)

Yoking (1 Occurrence)

Your (45733 Occurrences)

Youth (169 Occurrences)

Yeast (48 Occurrences)

Yet (1244 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Quadrans (1 Occurrence)

Quiver (9 Occurrences)

Quantities (13 Occurrences)

Quietness (15 Occurrences)

Quarried (3 Occurrences)

Qualm (1 Occurrence)

Quota (5 Occurrences)

Quarantined (1 Occurrence)

Noah Leaves the Ark
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