But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

GENESIS 6:18KJV
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Genesis 6:18 (KJV)

What does Genesis 6:18 mean?

Genesis 6:18 records God telling Noah that He will establish a special agreement—a covenant—with him, promising safety for Noah, his family, and their spouses by bringing them into the ark during the coming flood. This verse marks God’s commitment to preserve Noah and his household while the rest of the world faces judgment.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Noah after announcing the coming destruction due to widespread corruption. The verse introduces the idea of a “covenant” (a binding promise or agreement) for the first time in the Bible, highlighting a personal relationship between God and Noah. God’s instructions are specific: Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives are all to enter the ark, ensuring the survival of both his family line and humanity itself.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 6:18

  • בְּרִית (berit, “covenant”): This word means a formal agreement or promise, often used for solemn commitments between God and people. Here, it signals a new phase in God’s relationship with humanity, focusing on rescue and future hope.
  • הֵקִים (heqim, “establish”): This verb means to set up or confirm. God is not creating a new idea but making firm His promise to Noah, emphasizing reliability and intention.
  • תֵּבָה (tevah, “ark”): This word refers to the large, box-like vessel Noah is to build. It’s not a typical boat, but a specially designed container for survival, highlighting God’s detailed care for Noah’s family.

Why Genesis 6:18 matters

  • Genesis 6:18 is the first mention of a covenant in the Bible, setting a pattern for how God interacts with people through promises and commitments.
  • The verse shows that God’s rescue plan is not just for Noah alone, but for his whole family, underlining the importance of relationships and community in God’s purposes.
  • By specifying who enters the ark, Genesis 6:18 connects to the wider narrative of the flood, showing that God’s judgment is paired with mercy and a plan for new beginnings.

Where else these words appear

“thou” Hebrew H859 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Ezekiel 13:11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.

“ark” Hebrew H8392 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Genesis 7:15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.
  • Genesis 8:10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;

“into” Hebrew H413 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
  • Exodus 19:20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
  • 1 Samuel 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.