Genesis 8:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 8:20-22

Here is, I. Noah's thankful acknowledgment of God's favour to him, in completing the mercy of his deliverance, Gen. 8:20. 1. He built an altar. Hitherto he had done nothing without particular instructions and commands from God. He had a particular call into the ark, and another out of it; but, altars and sacrifices being already of divine institution for religious worship, he did not stay for a particular command thus to express his thankfulness. Those that have received mercy from God should... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 8:20

And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ,.... Not an house for himself and his family, but an altar for God; his first and greatest concern being for the glory of God, and not for the temporal good of himself and his: this altar was erected, and devoted to the service of God; it was built according to his will, and by his direction: Noah's view was to renew the worship of God, preserve and propagate it by his example; and this was done by way of thanksgiving to God for his wonderful... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:20

Noah builded an altar - As we have already seen that Adam, Cain, and Abel, offered sacrifices, there can be no doubt that they had altars on which they offered them; but this, builded by Noah, is certainly the first on record. It is worthy of remark that, as the old world began with sacrifice, so also did the new. Religion or the proper mode of worshipping the Divine Being, is the invention or institution of God himself; and sacrifice, in the act and design, is the essence of religion.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 8:20

Verse 20 20.And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord. As Noah had given many proofs of his obedience, so he now presents an example of gratitude. This passage teaches us that sacrifices were instituted from the beginning for this end, that men should habituate themselves, by such exercises, to celebrate the goodness of God, and to give him thanks. The bare confession of the tongue, yea, even the silent acknowledgment of the heart, might suffice for God; but we know how many stimulants our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:15-22

The saint and the Savior. I. THE SAVIOR 'S INJUNCTION TO THE SAINT ( Genesis 8:15 ). The command which God addressed to Noah and the other inmates of the ark to go forth and take possession of the renovated earth may be regarded as emblematic of that Divine instruction which shall yet be given to the saints to go forth and take possession of the now heavens and the new earth, when the great gospel ship of the Christian Church, now floating on the troubled sea of life, shall have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:20

And Noah builded an altar . Mizbeach, a place for slaying sacrifices, from zabach, to slaughter animals ( Genesis 31:54 ), to slay in sacrifice (Le Genesis 9:4 ; 1 Samuel 1:4 ), as θυσιαστη ì ριον , from θυ ì ειν , is the first altar mentioned in history. The English term (from altus , high) signifies a high place, because the altar was commonly a raised structure or mound of earth or stones ( Exodus 20:24 ). Keil thinks that altars were not required prior to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 8:20-22

The sanctification of the earth. The sweet savor of man's burnt offerings— I. RELIGIOUS LIFE IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD when it is II. UNION and COMMUNION between God and man is the foundation on which all earthly happiness and security rest. III. The FORBEARANCE AND MERCY OF GOD in his relation to those whose hearts are yet full of evil is at once probation and grace. The ground is not cursed any more for man's sake, but, the more evidently, that which falls upon... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 8:15-22

- XXVII. The Ark Was Evacuated19. משׁפחה mı̂shpāchah, “kind, clan, family.” שׁפחה shı̂pchâh, “maid-servant; related: spread.”20. מזבח mı̂zbēach, “altar; related: slay animals, sacrifice.”21. עלה 'olâh, “whole burnt-offering.” That which goes up. “Step; related: go up.”Genesis 8:15-19The command to leave the ark is given and obeyed. As Noah did not enter, so neither does he leave the ark, without divine direction. “The fowl, the cattle, and the creeper.” Here, again, these three classes are... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 8:20

Genesis 8:20. Noah builded an altar The first altar that we read of; but not the first which was built; for the sacrifices which were offered before, Genesis 4:3-4, presuppose an altar or altars. And it ought to be well observed, that the silence of Scripture concerning any thing is not sufficient evidence that it was not done; to remember which will greatly assist us in understanding many passages of the sacred oracles. Here we see, that the first thing that he did after his wonderful... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 8:20-22

A new beginning (8:20-9:7)On returning to the earth now cleansed from sin, Noah first offered sacrifices to God. God’s promise not to destroy the earth by a flood again was not because he expected people to improve. He knew they would be as sinful as ever. If God always dealt with people as they deserved, such floods would occur constantly. But in his mercy God would allow sinful people to continue to live on his earth (20-22).With this new beginning, God gave Noah the same sorts of commands as... read more

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