וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ֖ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה כִּֽי־אֹתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק לְפָנַ֖י בַּדֹּ֥ור הַזֶּֽה׃
(Genesis 7:1)
And YHWH said to Noaḥ come you and all your household into the ark for you I have seen as righteous before Me in this generation
Syntax at the Door of Salvation
This verse marks a divine turning point: the moment when YHWH commands Noaḥ to enter the ark. It is an invitation of preservation amid judgment. The binyanim used in this verse are deceptively simple—almost all are Qal. But within their morphological simplicity lies a theological and narrative potency. Each verb—אמ , בא , ראיתי—carries the full weight of divine authority, obedience, and moral distinction. Let’s enter the ark linguistically and uncover the grammatical structure of salvation.
Word-by-Word Binyan Analysis
1. וַיֹּאמֶר — And He said
- Root: א־מ־ר (“to say”)
- Binyan: Qal (wayyiqtol, 3rd person masculine singular)
- Voice: Active
- Function: Standard narrative form for divine speech introductions
- Literary Note: The Qal stem is common for direct speech. Here, it sets the moment in motion with no embellishment—just clear divine command.
2. בֹּא — Come
- Root: ב־וֹ־א (“to come, enter”)
- Binyan: Qal (imperative masculine singular)
- Voice: Active
- Force: A direct command to Noaḥ—”Come into the ark!” The Qal imperative is sharp and unadorned, making it suitable for an urgent divine order.
- Theological Insight: The verb doesn’t suggest mere suggestion. It is not causative (like Hiphil), but personal and immediate. Noaḥ himself must take this step.
3. רָאִיתִי — I have seen
- Root: ר־א־ה (“to see”)
- Binyan: Qal (perfect, 1st person singular)
- Voice: Active
- Function: Declarative assessment from YHWH — “I have seen you [as] righteous”
- Syntactic Construction: Subject: “I” (YHWH); object: אֹתְךָ (“you”); complement: צַדִּיק (“righteous”)
- Interpretive Force: This verb seals Noaḥ’s election. YHWH’s seeing is more than visual—it is evaluative. The Qal here, while simple, denotes divine judgment and selection.
Table of Binyanim in Genesis 7:1
| Verb | Root | Binyan | Form | Meaning | Narrative Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּאמֶר | א־מ־ר | Qal | Wayyiqtol | And He said | Initiates divine speech |
| בֹּא | ב־וֹ־א | Qal | Imperative | Come | Command of entry |
| רָאִיתִי | ר־א־ה | Qal | Perfect | I have seen | Divine evaluation |
Why Qal Carries the Ark
All the verbs in this verse are in the Qal stem. Why? Because Qal excels in portraying direct, unambiguous action. Here there is no place for reflexive introspection (Hitpael) or causation (Hiphil). Noaḥ must act, simply and faithfully, because YHWH has already acted in divine awareness and judgment.
The Qal binyan here is not bland—it’s biblical clarity. YHWH speaks. Noaḥ enters. History turns.
The Binyan Behind the Wood
This verse may describe entering an ark, but grammatically, it’s about entering divine favor. The verbs don’t shout—they don’t need to. Their very simplicity opens the door to the most extraordinary rescue in the Torah. And so the flood begins—with a Qal command, a faithful walk, and a grammar of grace.
