Introduction to Genesis 8:1
Genesis 8:1 marks a pivotal moment in the Flood narrative, where אֱלֹהִים (Elohim, “God”) actively intervenes by remembering נֹחַ (Noaḥ, “Noah”) and the creatures on the ark. The verse prominently features wayyiqtol verb forms, which indicate sequential action in Biblical Hebrew narrative. Additionally, the concept of זָכַר (zakhar, “to remember”) when applied to God has theological significance beyond mere recollection, often signifying divine action in response to a covenant or promise.
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־נֹ֔חַ וְאֵ֤ת כָּל־הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתֹּ֖ו בַּתֵּבָ֑ה וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֨וּחַ֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ (vayyizkor Elohim) – “And God remembered” (wayyiqtol)
2. אֶת־נֹ֔חַ (et-Noaḥ) – “Noah” (direct object marker with proper noun)
3. וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֨וּחַ֙ (vayya‘aver Elohim ruaḥ) – “And God caused a wind to pass”
4. וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם (vayyashoku hamayim) – “And the waters subsided”
Explanation of Grammatical Function
1. The Wayyiqtol Sequence in Narrative
Genesis 8:1 contains a series of wayyiqtol (וַיִּקטֹל) verbs, which indicate actions occurring in a chronological sequence:
– וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר (vayyizkor, “And He remembered”) – Root: זָכַר (zakhar), Qal wayyiqtol 3rd person masculine singular.
– וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר (vayya‘aver, “And He caused to pass”) – Root: עָבַר (‘avar), Hifil wayyiqtol 3rd person masculine singular.
– וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ (vayyashoku, “And they subsided”) – Root: שָׁכַךְ (shakhakh), Qal wayyiqtol 3rd person plural.
Each wayyiqtol verb moves the narrative forward in a cause-and-effect sequence.
2. The Theological Meaning of וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר (Vayyizkor)
The verb זָכַר (zakhar, “to remember”) in Biblical Hebrew does not merely indicate recalling information. When used of God, it implies covenantal faithfulness and divine intervention.
– Here, וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־נֹ֔חַ (vayyizkor Elohim et-Noaḥ) means “God took action on Noah’s behalf.”
– This parallels other instances where God “remembers” and then acts (e.g., Exodus 2:24 – “God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”).
3. The Hifil Verb וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר (Vayya‘aver)
The phrase וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֨וּחַ֙ (vayya‘aver Elohim ruaḥ, “And God caused a wind to pass”) contains a Hifil verb.
– Root: עָבַר (‘avar, “to pass over, cross”).
– Hifil form: וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר (vayya‘aver), meaning “He caused to pass.”
– Direct object: רוּחַ (ruaḥ, “wind” or “spirit”).
This causative construction shows that God actively directed the wind, rather than it occurring naturally.
4. The Qal Verb וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ (Vayyashoku)
The verb וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ (vayyashoku, “and they subsided”) is in the Qal stem, 3rd person plural, referring to הַמָּֽיִם (hamayim, “the waters”).
– Root: שָׁכַךְ (shakhakh, “to subside, decrease”).
– The plural verb agrees with הַמָּֽיִם, indicating that the waters collectively subsided as a result of the wind.
Wayyiqtol Verbs and Divine Action in the Flood Narrative
The wayyiqtol verbs in Genesis 8:1 create a sequence of divine intervention: God remembered Noah, sent a wind, and caused the waters to subside. The Hifil form (וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר) highlights God’s active role in controlling nature, while וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר reflects the biblical theme of divine remembrance leading to action. Understanding these grammatical structures provides deeper insight into the unfolding of the Flood narrative and the theological significance of divine providence.
