Genesis 7:16 - Exposition

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God (Etohim) had commanded him. This evidently closed an Elohistic passage, according to Colenso, as the ensuing clause as manifestly belongs to the Jehovistic interpolator; but the close connection subsisting between the two clauses forbids any such dislocation of the narrative as that suggested. "On the supposition of an independent Jehovistic narrative, Bishop Colenso feels it necessary to interpolate before the next statement the words, 'And Noah and all his house went into the ark'". And the Lord (Jehovah) shut him in . Literally, shut behind, him, i.e. closed up the door of the ark after him ( ε ̓ κλεισε τη Ì ν κιβωτο Ì ν ε ̓ ì ξωθεν αυ ̓ του ͂ , LXX .); doubtless miraculously, to preserve him both from the violence of the waters and the rage of men. The contrast between the two names of the Deity is here most vividly presented. It is Elohim who commands him about the beasts; it is Jehovah, the covenant God, who insures his safety by closing the ark behind him.