And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:

GENESIS 8:6KJV
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Genesis 8:6 (KJV)

What does Genesis 8:6 mean?

Genesis 8:6 describes how, after forty days had passed, Noah opened the window of the ark that he had built. This marks the beginning of Noah’s efforts to find out if the floodwaters had gone down enough for life outside the ark to be possible.

Noah is the main figure here, acting after a long period inside the ark with his family and the animals. The verse sets the scene for what happens next: Noah will soon send out birds to check the state of the earth. This moment shows Noah taking careful steps, not rushing, as he waits for clear signs that it is safe to leave the ark.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 8:6

  • "end" (קֵץ, qets): This word means the conclusion or completion of a period. Its use here emphasizes that a specific, significant waiting time—forty days—has now finished.
  • "window" (חַלּוֹן, challon): This word refers to an opening or window, likely a small aperture in the ark. The mention of the window highlights that Noah had a limited way to observe the outside world, underlining the ark’s closed and protective nature.
  • "opened" (פָּתַח, patach): This verb means to open something that was shut. The act of opening the window is deliberate, showing Noah’s cautious approach after the long confinement.

Why Genesis 8:6 matters

  • Genesis 8:6 shows Noah’s patience and carefulness, waiting a full forty days before taking action, which helps correct the idea that he rushed to leave the ark as soon as the rain stopped.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by marking a turning point: the move from waiting inside the ark to actively seeking signs of new life and safety outside.
  • This detail sets up the next steps in the narrative, where Noah will use the window to send out birds, showing his reliance on observation and patience rather than acting on impulse.

Where else these words appear

“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 7:13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
  • Genesis 8:10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;

“window” Hebrew H2474 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 26:8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.
  • 2 Kings 9:30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
  • Ezekiel 40:22 And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them.

“Noah” Hebrew H5146 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Genesis 7:9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
  • Genesis 9:17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

“end” Hebrew H7093 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
  • Job 6:11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.