Genesis 8
PATground: which is very absurd. For, if it had sometime sat upon a carcass floating in the waters before they were dried up, or upon the top of some mountain which already appeared, what should make it return when all the waters were gone every where, and not rather while they remained upon the ground?
Genesis 8:8
Also he sent forth a dove. As a proper creature to make further discoveries: being of a strong flight, loving to feed upon the ground, and pick up seeds; and constantly returning to its rest from the remotest places. These two birds (the raven and the dove) some imagine were sent forth upon one and the same day, or but a day between; as Btdiartus conjectures. But this doth not agree with ver. 10. where it is said, " Noah stayed yet other seven days," and then sent out the dove again: which relates to seven days preceding; which seem to have passed between the sending out of the raven and of the dove.
Genesis 8:9
The dove found no rest, &c. For though the tops of the mountains appeared, yet they continued muddy, as some conceive; or, they were so far off, that the dove could not easily reach them.
Genesis 8:10
And he stayed yet other seven days. It appears by this, that on the seventh day Noah expected a blessing, rather than on another day: it being the day devoted from the beginning to religious services. Which he having, it is likely, performed, thereupon sent out the dove upon this day, as he had done before, with hope of good tidings.
Genesis 8:11
And, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf (or branch the word signifies) plucked off. Bochart thinks the dove brought this out of Assyria, which abounds with olive trees, and lay south of Ararat; the wind then blowing towards that country from the north. (See Hierozoic, lib. i. cap. G. p. 2.) where he shews, out of many authors, that not only olive trees, but some other also, will live and be green under water. All the difficulty is, how the dove could break off a branch (as the Vulgar translates it) from the tree. But it is easily solved, if we -allow, as I have said before, that now it was summer time; which brought new shoots out of the trees that were easily cropped. So he knew the waters were abated,] The tops of mountains were seen before, (ver. 5.) but now he understood the waters had left the lower grounds. Yet not so left them that the dove would stay; the earth, it is likely, remaining very chill.
Genesis 8:12
And he stayed yet other seven days. See ver. 10. The observation there being confirmed by what is repeated here. Returned not again to him any more.] Thero wanting neither food, nor a nest wherein to repose itself. By which Noah understood the earth was not only dry, and fit to be inhabited; but that it was not quite spoiled by the flood, but would afford food for all creatures.
Genesis 8:13
Noah removed the covering of the ark. Some of the boards on the top. For he could see further by looking out there, than if he looked out at the door, or the window, which gave him a prospect but one way. The face of the ground was dry.] Quite frecd^ from water, but yet so soft and muddy that it was not fit to be inhabited: as appears by his staying still almost two months more before he thought fit to go out. So the following verse tells us.
Genesis 8:14
In the second month, &c. If their months were such as ours, twelve of which make three hundred sixty* five days, then Noah stayed in the ark a whole year and ten days, as appears by comparing this verse with vii. 11: But if they were lunar months, which is most probable, then he was in the ark just one of our years: going out on the three hundred and sixty-fifth day after his entrance into it. i Was the earth dried.] Perfectly dried, so that no moisture remained; and grass, it is likely, was sprung up (of the cattle.: It need not seem a wonder, that Moses gives so punctual and particular an account of this whole matter, and of all that follows; for he lived within eight hundred years of the flood: and therefore might very well know what had been done within that period, and easily tell how the world was peopled by the posterity of Noah. Which could not but be fresh in memory, when men lived so long; that not much above three generations had passed from the flood to Moses. For Shem, who saw the flood, was contemporary with Abraham; as he was with Jacob; whose greatgrandchild was the father of Moses. Ver. 1G. Go forth out of the ark.] Though he saw the earth was fit to be inhabited; yet he waited for God’s order to go out of the ark, as he had it for his entering into it. Thou and thy wife, &c] I do not think the observation of some of the Jews is absurd; who, by comparing this verse with vii. 13. make this collection: that while they were in the ark, the men did not cohabit with their wives; it being a time of great affliction: and therefore they kept asunder in separate apartments. So R. Eliezer in his Pirke, cap. 23. where R.Levitus thus gathers it: When they went into the ark, it is said, (vii. 13.) " Noah and his, sons entered," and then “Noah’s wife, and his sons’ wives:” Behold, saith he, here the men are put together, and the women together; But when they come out, it is here said, " Go forth, thou and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives, with thee;" lo, here they are coupled together, as before they were separated. And so we find them again, (ver. 18.) where it is said, “Noah went forth, and his wife/’ &c.
Genesis 8:17
Bring forth every living creature, &c. that they may breed, &c. One would think, by this, that no creature bred in the ark, no more than men: but now are sent forth to breed and multiply in the earth.
Genesis 8:20
And Noah built an altar to the Lord. We never read of any built before this time: though we may reasonably conclude there was an altar upon which Cain and Abel ofFercd; in the place appointed for Divine worship. Offered burnt-offerings.] He restores the ancient rito of Divine service; which his sons and their posterity followed. Some think these burnt-offerings had something in them of the nature -of a propitiatory sacrifice, as well as eucharistical, which they certainly were, for their deliverance from the flood. Their reason is taken from what follows.
Genesis 8:21
The Lord smelted a sweet savour. That is, as Munstcr understands it, he ceased from his anger and was appeased. So the Syriac also, and Josephus. (Lib.i. Antiq. cap. 4.) But it may signify no more, but that his