Genesis 8

1 remembered. See note on vi. 6, and cp. Gen. xix. 29.

3 abated. Or, “began to abate.”

4. Ararat. Ararat is the name, not of a mountain, but of a region in Armenia. Containing the sources of important rivers which flow in all directions, it was well adapted to be the nucleus of a new population.

11 plucked off. Not a floating leaf, but broken off by the dove from a tree now above the waters.

14 second. The same month in which he had entered it; having been in the ark one year and ten days, according to the Hebrew text; or exactly one year, according to the Septuagint.

21 a sweet savour. Literally, “a savour of rest,” or satisfaction; an expression often used (Lev. xxvi. 31) to signify that the offering was acceptable to God (cp. Eph. v. 2).—any more for. See Isa. lvii. 16. Were God still to deal with men simply and strictly according to their deserts, they could expect nothing but judgement upon judgement. Instead of this, He mercifully spares them, and encourages them to seek Him in hope and obedience (Psa. cxxx. 4), “though the bent of man’s mind is indeed towards evil” (Moffatt).—for the imagination. Rather, “for that the imagination” (R.V.); the reason for the curse, not for the remission.