Introduction to Genesis 8:1
Genesis 8:1 marks a turning point in the Flood narrative, emphasizing that God “remembered” Noah and the animals in the ark, leading to the recession of the waters. The phrase “And God remembered” (וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙) is a key biblical idiom that does not indicate a lapse in divine awareness, but rather the initiation of divine action on behalf of the remembered subject.
This verse contains:
- The verb וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר (“And He remembered”), which conveys covenantal faithfulness rather than simple recollection.
- A parallel listing of Noah and the animals, reinforcing the comprehensive scope of divine care.
- The introduction of divine action (וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר… ר֨וּחַ, “And God caused a wind to pass”), leading to the retreat of the floodwaters.
This study will analyze the meaning of divine remembrance, the syntactic structure of וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙, and the role of parallelism in biblical prose.
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־נֹ֔חַ וְאֵ֤ת כָּל־הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתֹּ֖ו בַּתֵּבָ֑ה וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִים ר֨וּחַ֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
- וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ (vayyizkor Elohim)
- Root: זָכַר (“to remember”)
- Form: Qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular with vav-consecutive
- Translation: “And God remembered”
- Function: Denotes divine action rather than mere mental recollection.
- אֶת־נֹ֔חַ וְאֵ֤ת כָּל־הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה (et-Noaḥ ve’et kol-hachayyah ve’et kol-habehemah)
- Root: Proper noun (נֹחַ, “Noah”), חַיָּה (“living creatures”), בְּהֵמָה (“beasts”)
- Form: Direct object markers with nouns in construct relationships
- Translation: “Noah, and all the living creatures, and all the beasts”
- Function: Indicates the universal scope of divine care in the narrative.
- וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִים ר֨וּחַ֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ (vayya’aver Elohim ruaḥ al-ha’aretz)
- Root: עָבַר (“to pass over”), רוּחַ (“wind, spirit”)
- Form: Hifil imperfect 3rd masculine singular with vav-consecutive
- Translation: “And God caused a wind to pass over the earth”
- Function: Expresses divine intervention in causing the floodwaters to recede.
- וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם (vayyashoku hamayim)
- Root: שָׁכַךְ (“to subside”)
- Form: Qal imperfect 3rd masculine plural with vav-consecutive
- Translation: “And the waters subsided”
- Function: Denotes the beginning of the restoration of the earth.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Theological Meaning of וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר (“And He Remembered”)
Common idiom in Hebrew Bible, found in Genesis 19:29 (Abraham), Exodus 2:24 (Israel in Egypt), and 1 Samuel 1:19 (Hannah).
Does not imply forgetfulness → Indicates a shift from judgment to mercy and intervention.
The Use of Parallelism in Listing Noah and the Animals
Reinforces the completeness of divine care.
Mirrors Genesis 6:18-20, where Noah is commanded to take the animals into the ark.
The Hifil Imperfect וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר (“And He Caused to Pass”) as a Mark of Divine Control
Hifil stem signifies causative action, meaning God actively directs the wind to restore balance.
רוּחַ (“wind”) echoes Genesis 1:2 (“The Spirit of God hovering over the waters”), symbolizing re-creation.
Theological Implications of Divine Remembrance
- Covenantal Faithfulness
The phrase “God remembered” signifies His commitment to preserving Noah and renewing creation.
- The Transition from Judgment to Mercy
The floodwaters begin to recede, symbolizing the restoration of divine order.
- Echoes of Creation and Re-Creation
The use of רוּחַ (“wind/spirit”) recalls Genesis 1:2, reinforcing a theological connection between the Flood and Creation.
The Function of Divine Remembrance in Biblical Narrative
Genesis 8:1 demonstrates the theological weight of divine remembrance, which initiates salvation, mercy, and renewal. The morphology of וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר emphasizes an active divine intervention, while the parallel structure reinforces the completeness of God’s care.
Thus, this verse serves as both a grammatical model of Hebrew narrative devices and a theological affirmation of divine faithfulness in moments of judgment and restoration.
