Definition: And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 7:1. It's a really important and somewhat mysterious passage in the Bible. Here’s a simplified explanation: What it means: This verse essentially says God is inviting Noah to come with him on a boat – the ark – to save humanity from a devastating flood. It’s saying, “I have seen you before, and I believe you are righteous enough to be saved.” Let's unpack it word by word: “And the LORD said unto Noah…” : This is God speaking directly to Noah. “…Come thou and all thy house into the ark…” : This means you – specifically, Noah and his family – are invited to join him on this boat. “…for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” : This is the key part! "Righteous" means just, moral, and good. God says he has seen you – Noah and his family – before, and he believes you are a person of good character. What’s the significance? This verse is often interpreted as a sign that God was pleased with humanity's behavior in the past. It suggests that God sees Noah as someone who acted responsibly and was walking towards goodness. It's a message of hope, even though it also speaks about a significant event to come (the flood). Important Note: The exact meaning and context of this verse are still debated by scholars today. It’s a beautiful and poetic passage that invites contemplation about God’s relationship with humanity. Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Talk about the historical context surrounding the flood? Give you some different interpretations of this verse?