And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

GENESIS 8:12KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 8:12 (KJV)

What does Genesis 8:12 mean?

Genesis 8:12 describes Noah waiting another seven days before sending out the dove again, and this time the dove does not return to him. This shows that the floodwaters had finally receded enough for the dove to find a place to settle, signaling to Noah that the earth was becoming habitable again.

Noah is the one acting in this verse, carefully observing the conditions outside the ark after the flood. By sending out the dove and noting its return or absence, Noah is looking for a clear sign from nature that it is safe to leave the ark. The dove’s failure to return means dry land is available, which is a turning point in the story of the flood.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 8:12

  • "stayed" (יָחַל, yāchal) means to wait or hope, suggesting Noah’s patient expectation as he looks for a sign from God through the dove’s actions.
  • "returned" (שׁוּב, shuv) means to turn back or come again, highlighting that the dove’s not coming back is a clear signal of changed conditions outside.
  • "more" (עוֹד, ‘od) means still or again, emphasizing that this time, unlike before, the dove does not return at all, marking a final, decisive moment.

Why Genesis 8:12 matters

  • Genesis 8:12 clarifies that Noah did not act on impulse but waited for clear evidence that it was safe to leave the ark, showing careful observation and patience.
  • The verse connects closely to the earlier verses where the dove returns, making the dove’s final absence a significant sign that the flood’s effects are ending.
  • This moment marks a shift in the flood narrative, moving from waiting and uncertainty to the beginning of restoration and new life on earth.

Where else these words appear

“more” Hebrew H5750 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
  • Genesis 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
  • Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

“dove” Hebrew H3123 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 8:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
  • Leviticus 14:30 And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;
  • Song of Solomon 5:2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

“stayed” Hebrew H3176 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:8 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
  • Psalms 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
  • Psalms 119:147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.