Genesis 8:12

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Genesis 8:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And Noah waited seven more days and sent out the dove again, but this time she did not return to him.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

And after seven days more, he sent the dove out again, but she did not come back to him.

Free Bible Version FBV

Again he waited another seven days and sent the dove out again, but this time it didn't return to him.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Notwithstanding he wayted yet other seuen dayes, and sent forth the doue, which returned not againe vnto him any more.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And he stayeth yet other seven days, and sendeth forth the dove, and it added not to turn back unto him any more.

World English Bible WEB

He waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; and she didn’t return to him any more.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

Noah waited seven more days. Then he sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.

Plain English Version PEV

Noah waited 7 more days, then he sent the pigeon out again. This time the pigeon didn’t come back to the big boat.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 8:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 8:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּיָּ֣חֶל ע֔וֹד שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וַ/יְשַׁלַּח֙ אֶת הַ/יּוֹנָ֔ה וְ/לֹֽא יָסְפָ֥ה שׁוּב אֵלָ֖י/ו עֽוֹד

וַ/יִּיָּ֣חֶל yâchal H3176 to wait Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms

ע֔וֹד ʻôwd H5750 still Adv

שִׁבְעַ֥ת shebaʻ H7651 seven Adj

יָמִ֖ים yôwm H3117 day N-mp

אֲחֵרִ֑ים ʼachêr H312 another Adj

וַ/יְשַׁלַּח֙ shâlach H7971 to send Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הַ/יּוֹנָ֔ה yôwnâh H3123 dove Art | N-fs

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יָסְפָ֥ה yâçaph H3254 to add V-Qal-Perf-3fs

שׁוּב shûwb H7725 to return V-Qal-Inf-a

אֵלָ֖י/ו ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

עֽוֹד ʻôwd H5750 still Adv

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 8:12

וַ/יִּיָּ֣חֶל yâchal H3176 "to wait" Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To wait or be patient is the meaning of this verb, used to describe hoping or trusting in something, as seen in various KJV translations.

Definition: : wait[for_time] 1) to wait, hope, expect 1a) (Niphal) to wait 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait, await, tarry 1b2) to wait for, hope for 1c) (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for Also means: ya.chal (יָחַל ": hope" H3176H)

Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, have, make to) hope, be pained, stay, tarry, trust, wait. See also: Genesis 8:12; Psalms 69:4; Psalms 31:25.

ע֔וֹד ʻôwd H5750 "still" Adv

The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.

Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)

Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.

שִׁבְעַ֥ת shebaʻ H7651 "seven" Adj

This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.

Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)

Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.

יָמִ֖ים yôwm H3117 "day" N-mp

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

אֲחֵרִ֑ים ʼachêr H312 "another" Adj

Means another or next in the original Hebrew, often referring to someone or something that follows or is different. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of people and events in the Bible.

Definition: 1) another, other, following 1a) following, further 1b) other, different

Usage: Occurs in 161 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other man, following, next, strange. See also: Genesis 4:25; 1 Kings 13:10; Psalms 16:4.

וַ/יְשַׁלַּח֙ shâlach H7971 "to send" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms

To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.

Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send

Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הַ/יּוֹנָ֔ה yôwnâh H3123 "dove" Art | N-fs

Represents a dove, possibly due to the warmth of their mating, and is also used to describe a pigeon. This bird is often seen as a symbol of peace and gentleness in the Bible.

Definition: dove, pigeon

Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: dove, pigeon. See also: Genesis 8:8; Psalms 55:7; Psalms 56:1.

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

יָסְפָ֥ה yâçaph H3254 "to add" V-Qal-Perf-3fs

To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.

Definition: : add/more[amount] 1) to add, increase, do again 1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to join, join oneself to 1b2) to be joined, be added to 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to add, increase 1c2) to do more, do again

Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. See also: Genesis 4:2; 2 Samuel 19:14; Psalms 10:18.

שׁוּב shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Qal-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.

Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.

אֵלָ֖י/ו ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

עֽוֹד ʻôwd H5750 "still" Adv

The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.

Study Notes — Genesis 8:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 8:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 8:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 8:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 8:12
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 8:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 8:12
Sermons on Genesis 8:12

Context — Noah Sends a Raven and a Dove

10Noah waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. 11And behold, the dove returned to him in the evening with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.

12And Noah waited seven more days and sent out the dove again, but this time she did not return to him.

13In Noah’s six hundred and first year, on the first day of the first month, the waters had dried up from the earth. So Noah removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. 14By the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the earth was fully dry.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 25:9	And in that day it will be said, “Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
2	Isaiah 30:18	Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.
3	Genesis 8:10	Noah waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark.
4	Isaiah 26:8	Yes, we wait for You, O LORD; we walk in the path of Your judgments. Your name and renown are the desire of our souls.
5	James 5:7–8	Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
6	Genesis 2:2–3	And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.
7	Psalms 27:14	Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!
8	Psalms 130:5–6	I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning— more than watchmen wait for the morning.
9	Isaiah 8:17	I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him.
10	Habakkuk 2:3	For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.

Genesis 8:12 Summary

In Genesis 8:12, Noah sends out the dove again, but this time it doesn't come back, which means the dove found a place to rest and the land is dry. This shows that God is faithful to His promises, just like He promised Noah in Genesis 9:11. It also teaches us to be patient and trust in God's timing, just like Noah did. By waiting and trusting, we can see God's plan unfold, as seen in verses like Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Noah send out the dove multiple times?

Noah sent out the dove multiple times to determine if the floodwaters had receded and if the land was dry, as seen in Genesis 8:10-12, which shows his patience and trust in God's promise to restore the earth.

What is the significance of the dove not returning in Genesis 8:12?

The dove not returning to Noah in Genesis 8:12 signifies that the dove had found a place to rest, indicating the land was dry and habitable again, which is further confirmed in Genesis 8:13-14.

How does this verse relate to God's promise to Noah?

This verse shows Noah's trust in God's promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood, as stated in Genesis 9:11, and his patience in waiting for the right time to exit the ark.

What can we learn from Noah's actions in this verse?

We can learn from Noah's example of patience, trust, and obedience to God's instructions, which are essential qualities for believers, as seen in verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 and Hebrews 11:7.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse teach me about waiting on God's timing and trusting in His promises?
How does Noah's patience in sending out the dove multiple times encourage me to be patient in my own life?
What does the image of the dove not returning to the ark symbolize in my own spiritual journey?
How can I apply the principles of trust and obedience seen in Noah's actions to my own relationship with God?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 8:12

And he stayed yet other seven days,.... After the dove had returned: and sent forth the dove; the same dove again; which returned not again unto him any more: the earth being dry, it found rest for

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 8:12

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 8:12

Finding convenient food and resting place upon the earth, and preferring her freedom before her mate: possibly she might lose the sight of the ark, and forget or mistake the way to it.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 8:12

Genesis 8:12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.Ver. 12. Which returned not unto him any more.] But, out of love of liberty, forgat both her mate and her master; who yet was hereby certified, to his comfort, that now she had, abroad, met with both footing and feeding.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 8:12

(10-12) Again he sent forth the dove . . . —When, after another week’s delay, Noah again sent forth the dove, it remained away until “the time of evening,” finding both food and ground on which it could alight near the ark. It was not till nightfall that it came home, bringing to him “an olive leaf pluckt off,” or, possibly, a fresh olive-leaf. The olive-tree, which grows abundantly in Armenia, is said to vegetate under water; but what Noah wanted to learn was, not whether the topmost boughs were emerging from the flood, but whether the soil beneath was becoming free from water. Now, after a seven days’ interval, when Noah again sent forth the dove, she did not return, “because the ground was dry.” It is thus plain that the olive-tree had had plenty of time on some of the higher lands, while the flood was subsiding, to put forth new leaves. From this event the olive-leaf, thus sent by the regenerated earth to Noah in proof that she was ready to yield herself to him, has been ever since, among all mankind, the symbol of peace.

Sermons on Genesis 8:12

	Sermon	Description
	(The Word for Today) Isaiah 25:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith	The video discusses the breakdown of the family unit in society and the negative impact it has on marriages and children. Pastor Chuck Smith's Marriage and Family Bible Study is pr
	(The Word for Today) Isaiah 25:9 - Part 2 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith addresses the breakdown of the family unit in society and the impact it has on marriages and children. He introduces his Marriage and Family Bibl
	Suppose an Unholy Man Went to Heaven by J.C. Ryle	J.C. Ryle emphasizes the necessity of holiness for entry into heaven, arguing that an unholy person would find no joy or companionship among the saints, as their values and pleasur
	Isaiah Encouraging All to Wait on the Lord by Bob Hoekstra	Bob Hoekstra preaches on Isaiah's encouragement to wait on the Lord, emphasizing that God's power is available for those who admit their weakness. Isaiah's heart for God's grace is
	The Manifestation of Christ, as a Savior to His People, a Cause of Great Joy. by John Gill	John Gill preaches about the profound joy that comes from the manifestation of Christ as the Savior of His people, drawing parallels between the joy in Israel at David's kingship a
	John 9:35-38. Christ Finds the Outcast. by Favell Lee Mortimer	Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the compassion and care of Jesus towards those who suffer for His sake, using the story of the blind man who was cast out and found by Jesus as a
	Two Pillars of Peace by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes the two pillars of peace found in Isaiah's experience: constant communion with God through prayer and unwavering trust in the Lord. In times of uncertain