Genesis 8:20 - Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
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What does "Genesis 8:20" mean?
Genesis 8:20 describes Noah's first act of worship after the floodwaters receded and he and his family and the animals disembarked from the ark. Let's break down the verse:
"Noah built an altar to Yahweh...": An altar is a structure, usually made of stone, used for offering sacrifices to a deity. This shows Noah's immediate desire to acknowledge and thank God (Yahweh is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible) for their deliverance from the flood. Building the altar was an act of thanksgiving and devotion.
"...and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird...": "Clean" animals and birds refer to those deemed acceptable for sacrifice according to God's standards. This distinction between clean and unclean animals is introduced here, although the specific laws outlining which animals were considered clean would be more fully elaborated later in the Mosaic Law (the Law of Moses). The important point is that Noah chose the best, most acceptable animals for his offering. The Bible says that God had already told Noah what animals to take on the Ark, and specified to take seven pairs of clean animals.
"...and offered burnt offerings on the altar.": A burnt offering (or olah in Hebrew) was a specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal was burned on the altar as a complete offering to God. This was a common form of worship in ancient Near Eastern cultures, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God. The smoke rising to the heavens was seen as a pleasing aroma to God.
In summary, the verse means:
After the great flood, Noah, recognizing God's saving power, built an altar to thank and worship Yahweh. He selected animals and birds that were considered "clean" and offered them as burnt offerings, completely consuming them in fire as a sign of gratitude, dedication, and worship.
Significance:
Thanksgiving and Gratitude: It shows Noah's profound gratitude to God for sparing him, his family, and the animals from the destruction of the flood.
Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty: Building the altar and offering sacrifices was an act of worship, acknowledging God's power and authority over creation.
Establishment of a Covenant Relationship: While the formal covenant comes later in Genesis 9, this act can be seen as laying the groundwork for a renewed relationship between God and humanity.
Foreshadowing of Future Sacrificial System: This passage foreshadows the sacrificial system that would later be established in the Law of Moses. It introduces the concepts of clean and unclean animals and the practice of burnt offerings, which would become central to Israelite worship.
It's a pivotal moment in the narrative, marking the transition from judgment and destruction to a new beginning for humanity, centered on a relationship with God.
Genesis 8:20 - Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
What does "Genesis 8:20" mean?
Genesis 8:20 describes Noah's first act of worship after the floodwaters receded and he and his family and the animals disembarked from the ark. Let's break down the verse:
"Noah built an altar to Yahweh...": An altar is a structure, usually made of stone, used for offering sacrifices to a deity. This shows Noah's immediate desire to acknowledge and thank God (Yahweh is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible) for their deliverance from the flood. Building the altar was an act of thanksgiving and devotion.
"...and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird...": "Clean" animals and birds refer to those deemed acceptable for sacrifice according to God's standards. This distinction between clean and unclean animals is introduced here, although the specific laws outlining which animals were considered clean would be more fully elaborated later in the Mosaic Law (the Law of Moses). The important point is that Noah chose the best, most acceptable animals for his offering. The Bible says that God had already told Noah what animals to take on the Ark, and specified to take seven pairs of clean animals.
"...and offered burnt offerings on the altar.": A burnt offering (or olah in Hebrew) was a specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal was burned on the altar as a complete offering to God. This was a common form of worship in ancient Near Eastern cultures, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God. The smoke rising to the heavens was seen as a pleasing aroma to God.
In summary, the verse means:
After the great flood, Noah, recognizing God's saving power, built an altar to thank and worship Yahweh. He selected animals and birds that were considered "clean" and offered them as burnt offerings, completely consuming them in fire as a sign of gratitude, dedication, and worship.
Significance:
Thanksgiving and Gratitude: It shows Noah's profound gratitude to God for sparing him, his family, and the animals from the destruction of the flood.
Worship and Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty: Building the altar and offering sacrifices was an act of worship, acknowledging God's power and authority over creation.
Establishment of a Covenant Relationship: While the formal covenant comes later in Genesis 9, this act can be seen as laying the groundwork for a renewed relationship between God and humanity.
Foreshadowing of Future Sacrificial System: This passage foreshadows the sacrificial system that would later be established in the Law of Moses. It introduces the concepts of clean and unclean animals and the practice of burnt offerings, which would become central to Israelite worship.
It's a pivotal moment in the narrative, marking the transition from judgment and destruction to a new beginning for humanity, centered on a relationship with God.