Noah Found Righteous

Genesis 6

As wickedness and violence fill the earth, the Lord resolves to blot out every living thing but finds Noah to be a righteous and blameless man. He instructs Noah to build an ark of specified dimensions and to bring in his family along with pairs of every kind of creature.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND it came to pass when the men began to be multiplied on the earth and daughters were born to them,

BrentonAnd it came to pass when men began to be numerous upon the earth, and daughters were born to them,

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἡνίκα ἤρξαντο οἱ ἄνθρωποι πολλοὶ γίνεσθαι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ θυγατέρες ἐγεννήθησαν αὐτοῖς.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

JPSAnd it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

Thomsonthat the sons of God seeing the daughters of men that they were fair, took to themselves wives of all whom they chose:

Brentonthat the sons of God having seen the daughters of men that they were beautiful, took to themselves wives of all whom they chose.

GreekἸδόντες δὲ υἱοὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ τὰς θυγατέρας τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅτι καλαί εἰσιν, ἔλαβον ἑαυτοῖς γυναῖκας ἀπὸ πασῶν, ὧν ἐξελέξαντο.

KJVThat the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

JPSthat the sons of nobles saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives, whomsoever they chose.

Thomsonthen the Lord God said, “My breath must not continue in these men to this age, because they are flesh; their days, however, shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

BrentonAnd the Lord God said, My Spirit shall certainly not remain among these men for ever, because they are flesh, but their days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, οὐ μὴ καταμείνῃ τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τούτοις εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, διὰ τὸ εἶναι αὐτοὺς σάρκας· ἔσονται δὲ αἱ ἡμέραι αὐτῶν, ἑκατὸν εἴκοσιν ἔτη.

KJVAnd the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

JPSAnd the LORD said: ‘My spirit shall not abide in man for ever, for that he also is flesh; therefore shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.’

ThomsonNow there were giants on the earth in those days, after the sons of God went in unto the daughters of men, and they bore [offspring] to them. These were the giants of old, the men of renown.

BrentonNow the giants were upon the earth in those days; and after that when the sons of God were wont to go in to the daughters of men, they bore children to them, those were the giants of old, the men of renown.

GreekΟἱ δὲ γίγαντες ἦσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, καὶ μετʼ ἐκεῖνο, ὡς ἂν εἰσεπορεύοντο οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ πρὸς τὰς θυγατέρας τῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἐγεννῶσαν αὐτοῖς· ἐκεῖνοι ἦσαν οἱ γίγαντες οἱ ἀπʼ αἰῶνος, οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ ὀνομαστοί.

KJVThere were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

JPSThe Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of nobles came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them; the same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd the Lord God having seen that the wicked actions of men were multiplied upon the earth, and that every one in his heart was intently brooding over evil continually,

GreekἸδὼν δὲ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, ὅτι ἐπληθύνθησαν αἱ κακίαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ πᾶς τις διανοεῖται ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἐπιμελῶς ἐπὶ τὰ πονηρὰ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας·

KJVAnd God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

JPSAnd the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

ThomsonSo when the Lord God saw that the wickedness of the men on the earth was multiplied, and that everyone was in his heart studiously and continually bent upon evils, God was grieved that He had made man on the earth.

Brentonthen God laid it to heart that he had made man upon the earth, and he pondered it deeply.

GreekΚαὶ ἐνεθυμήθη ὁ Θεὸς, ὅτι ἐποίησε τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ διενοήθη.

KJVAnd it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

JPSAnd it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.

ThomsonAnd God came to a determination and said, “I will blot out from the face of this earth the man I have made, both man and beast; both reptiles and birds of the air. For I am grieved that I made them.”

BrentonAnd God said, I will blot out man whom I have made from the face of the earth, even man with cattle, and reptiles with flying creatures of the sky, for I am grieved that I have made them.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς, ἀπαλείψω τὸν ἄνθρωπον, ὃν ἐποίησα, ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς γῆς, ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπου ἕως κτήνους, καὶ ἀπὸ ἑρπετῶν ἕως πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ· ὅτι ἐνεθυμήθην, ὅτι ἐποίησα αὐτούς.

KJVAnd the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

JPSAnd the LORD said: ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and fowl of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.’

ThomsonBut Noe found favour in the sight of the Lord God.

BrentonBut Noe found grace before the Lord God.

GreekΝῶε δὲ εὗρε χάριν ἐναντίον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVBut Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

JPSBut Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

ThomsonNow these are the generations of Noe. Noe was a just man; and being perfect in the tenor of his life, Noe pleased God.

BrentonAnd these are the generations of Noe. Noe was a just man; being perfect in his generation, Noe was well-pleasing to God.

GreekΑὗται δὲ αἱ γενέσεις Νῶε. Νῶε ἄνθρωπος δίκαιος, τέλειος ὢν ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ αὐτοῦ, τῷ Θεῷ εὐηρέστησε Νῶε.

KJVThese are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

JPSThese are the generations of Noah. Noah was in his generations a man righteous and wholehearted; Noah walked with God.

ThomsonAnd Noe had three sons, Sem, Cham, Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt before God;

BrentonAnd Noe begot three sons, Sem, Cham, Japheth.

GreekἘγέννησε δὲ Νῶε τρεῖς υἱοὺς, τὸν Σὴμ, τὸν Χὰμ, τὸν Ἰάφεθ.

KJVAnd Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

JPSAnd Noah begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Thomsonand the earth was filled with iniquity.

BrentonBut the earth was corrupted before God, and the earth was filled with iniquity.

GreekἘφθάρη δὲ ἡ γῆ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐπλήσθη ἡ γῆ ἀδικίας.

KJVThe earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

JPSAnd the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

ThomsonAnd God beheld the earth and it was corrupt; because all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

BrentonAnd the Lord God saw the earth, and it was corrupted; because all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth.

GreekΚαὶ εἶδε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἦν κατεφθαρμένη· ὅτι κατέφθειρε πᾶσα σὰρξ τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

KJVAnd God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

JPSAnd God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. .

ThomsonTherefore the Lord God said to Noe, “The time of every man is come before me. Because the earth is filled with iniquity by their means, therefore behold I am going to destroy them and the earth. Make therefore for thyself an ark of squared timber.

BrentonAnd the Lord God said to Noe, A period of all men is come before me; because the earth has been filled with iniquity by them, and, behold, I destroy them and the earth.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Νῶε, καιρὸς παντὸς ἀνθρώπου ἥκει ἐναντίον μου, ὅτι ἐπλήσθη ἡ γῆ ἀδικίας ἀπʼ αὐτῶν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ καταφθείρω αὐτοὺς καὶ τὴν γῆν.

KJVAnd God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

JPSAnd God said unto Noah: ‘The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

ThomsonThou shalt make the ark with small apartments, and caulk it on the inside and outside with pitch.

BrentonMake therefore for thyself an ark of square timber; thou shalt make the ark in compartments, and thou shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

GreekΠοίησον οὖν σεαυτῷ κιβωτὸν ἐκ ξύλων τετραγώνων· νοσσιὰς ποιήσεις τὴν κιβωτόν· καὶ ἀσφαλτώσεις αὐτὴν ἔσωθεν καὶ ἔξωθεν τῇ ἀσφάλτῳ.

KJVMake thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

JPSMake thee an ark of gopher wood; with rooms shalt thou make the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

ThomsonAnd in this manner thou shalt make the ark. Three hundred cubits shall be the length of the ark, and fifty cubits the breadth, and thirty cubits the height thereof.

BrentonAnd thus shalt thou make the ark; three hundred cubits the length of the ark, and fifty cubits the breadth, and thirty cubits the height of it.

GreekΚαὶ οὕτω ποιήσεις τὴν κιβωτόν· τριακοσίων πήχεων τὸ μῆκος τῆς κιβωτοῦ, καὶ πεντήκοντα πήχεων τὸ πλάτος, καὶ τριάκοντα πήχεων τὸ ὕψος αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

JPSAnd this is how thou shalt make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

ThomsonIn building the ark thou shalt narrow the breadth and finish it above at a cubit. And thou shalt make the door of the ark out of the sides. With lower, second and third stories thou shalt make it.

BrentonThou shalt narrow the ark in making it, and in a cubit above thou shalt finish it, and the door of the ark thou shalt make on the side; with lower, second, and third stories thou shalt make it.

GreekἘπισυνάγων ποιήσεις τὴν κιβωτὸν, καὶ εἰς πῆχυν συντελέσεις αὐτὴν ἄνωθεν· τὴν δὲ θύραν τῆς κιβωτοῦ ποιήσεις ἐκ πλαγίων· κατάγαια διώροφα καὶ τριώροφα ποιήσεις αὐτήν.

KJVA window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

JPSA light shalt thou make to the ark, and to a cubit shalt thou finish it upward; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

ThomsonNow behold I am going to bring a flood of water upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breadth of life under heaven, and all that are on the earth shall die;

BrentonAnd behold I bring a flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven, and whatsoever things are upon the earth shall die.

GreekἘγὼ δὲ ἰδοὺ ἐπάγω τὸν κατακλυσμὸν, ὕδωρ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καταφθεῖραι πᾶσαν σάρκα, ἐν ᾗ ἐστι πνεῦμα ζωῆς ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ· καὶ ὅσα ἂν ᾖ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, τελευτήσει.

KJVAnd, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

JPSAnd I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; every thing that is in the earth shall perish.

Thomsonand I will establish My covenant with thee. Thou therefore shalt go into the ark, thou and thy sons and thy wife and thy sons’ wives with thee.

BrentonAnd I will establish my covenant with thee, and thou shalt enter into the ark, and thy sons and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

GreekΚαὶ στήσω τὴν διαθήκην μου μετά σου· εἰσελεύσῃ δὲ εἰς τὴν κιβωτὸν σὺ, καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου, καὶ ἡ γυνή σου, καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες τῶν υἱῶν σου μετά σου.

KJVBut with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

JPSBut I will establish My covenant with thee; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

ThomsonAnd of all the cattle, and of all the reptiles, and of all the wild beasts, even of all flesh thou shalt bring into the ark a pair of every sort, that thou mayest nourish them with thyself. They shall be a male with a female.

BrentonAnd of all cattle and of all reptiles and of all wild beasts, even of all flesh, thou shalt bring by pairs of all, into the ark, that thou mayest feed them with thyself: male and female they shall be.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν θηρίων, καὶ ἀπὸ πάσης σαρκὸς δύο δύο ἀπὸ πάντων εἰσάξεις εἰς τὴν κιβωτὸν, ἵνα τρέφῃς μετὰ σεαυτοῦ· ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἔσονται.

KJVAnd of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

JPSAnd of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

ThomsonOf all the winged fowls according to kind, and of all the cattle according to kind, and of all the reptiles which creep on the earth according to their kind, pairs of every sort shall come to thee, a male with a female, to be fed with thee.

BrentonOf all winged birds after their kind, and of all cattle after their kind, and of all reptiles creeping upon the earth after their kind, pairs of all shall come in to thee, male and female to be fed with thee.

GreekἈπὸ πάντων τῶν ὀρνέων τῶν πετεινῶν κατὰ γένος, καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν κατὰ γένος, καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἑρπόντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κατὰ γένος αὐτῶν, δύο δύο ἀπὸ πάντων εἰσελεύσονται πρὸς σὲ τρέφεσθαι μετά σου, ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ.

KJVOf fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

JPSOf the fowl after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

ThomsonThou shalt therefore take to thee of all the varieties of food which you eat, and collect it to thee, and it shall be for thee and for them to eat.”

BrentonAnd thou shalt take to thyself of all kinds of food which ye eat, and thou shalt gather them to thyself, and it shall be for thee and them to eat.

GreekΣὺ δὲ λήψῃ σεαυτῷ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν βρωμάτων ἃ ἔδεσθε, καὶ συνάξεις πρὸς σεαυτὸν, καὶ ἔσται σοι καὶ ἐκείνοις φαγεῖν.

KJVAnd take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.

JPSAnd take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.’

ThomsonAnd Noe did all that the Lord God commanded him.

BrentonAnd Noe did all things whatever the Lord God commanded him, so did he.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Νῶε πάντα ὅσα ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, οὕτως ἐποίησε.

KJVThus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

JPSThus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.