The Morphology and Semantics of Divine Imperatives in Genesis 7:1

Introduction to Genesis 7:1

Genesis 7:1 records a direct divine command to Noah, instructing him to enter the ark with his household before the impending flood. This verse contains imperative and perfect verb forms, structured in a way that highlights divine authority and Noah’s obedience.

The verse consists of:

1. A direct divine speech formula (וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ, “And YHWH said to Noah”).
2. An imperative verb directing Noah’s action (בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה, “Come, you”).
3. A reason for the command (כִּֽי־אֹתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק, “For I have seen you as righteous”).

This study will analyze the function of imperatives in divine instruction, the significance of Noah’s designation as “righteous,” and the syntactic role of personal pronouns in emphasizing individual responsibility.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ֖ אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה כִּֽי־אֹתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק לְפָנַ֖י בַּדֹּ֥ור הַזֶּֽה׃

Analysis of Key Words/Phrases

1. בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה (bo attah)
   • Root: בּוֹא (“to come, enter”)
   • Form: Qal imperative 2nd masculine singular
   • Translation: “Come, you”
   • Function: Imperative command, instructing Noah to take action.
2. וְכָל־בֵּיתְךָ֖ (ve’khol beitekha)
   • Root: בַּיִת (“house, household”)
   • Form: Construct phrase with 2nd masculine singular suffix (“your household”)
   • Translation: “And all your household”
   • Function: Expands the command, ensuring Noah’s family is included.
3. כִּֽי־אֹתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק (ki-otkha ra’iti tzaddik)
   • Root: רָאָה (“to see”)
   • Form: Qal perfect 1st person singular (“I have seen”)
   • Translation: “For I have seen you [as] righteous”
   • Function: Justification for Noah’s preservation, emphasizing divine selection.
4. לְפָנַ֖י בַּדֹּ֥ור הַזֶּֽה (lefanaib bador hazeh)
   • Root: פָּנִים (“face, presence”), דּוֹר (“generation”)
   • Form: Prepositional phrase (“before Me in this generation”)
   • Translation: “Before Me in this generation”
   • Function: Contrast between Noah and his corrupt generation.

Explanation of Grammatical Function

The Use of the Imperative בֹּֽא (“Come”) in Divine Commands

Common in direct divine speech, marking urgent or authoritative instruction.

Frequently used in narratives where obedience is essential for divine deliverance (e.g., Genesis 12:1, “Go” [לֶךְ]).

The Function of Personal Pronouns in Imperative Sentences

אַתָּ֥ה (“you”) → Adds emphasis, reinforcing Noah’s personal responsibility.

Often omitted in imperatives unless emphasis is required.

The Qal Perfect רָאִ֛יתִי (“I Have Seen”) as a Statement of Divine Favor

Perfect aspect expresses completed divine judgment → Noah has already been evaluated as righteous.

Parallel to Genesis 6:9, reinforcing Noah’s distinct moral character.

Theological Implications of Divine Imperatives in Genesis

1. The Importance of Immediate ObedienceNoah’s response to divine imperatives determines his survival.
2. Personal Responsibility and Divine SelectionThe explicit pronoun (אַתָּ֥ה) highlights Noah’s individual righteousness.
3. Moral Distinction Between the Righteous and the WickedNoah is chosen for salvation, while the rest of the generation faces judgment.

The Function of Divine Imperatives in Hebrew Narrative

Genesis 7:1 demonstrates a structured divine imperative, where Noah is personally addressed, given explicit instructions, and justified as righteous. The imperative בֹּֽא introduces the command, while the Qal perfect רָאִ֛יתִי confirms divine favor.

Thus, this verse serves as both a grammatical model of divine imperatives and a theological affirmation of obedience leading to salvation.