Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 6בראשית 6

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Residual genealogy now gives way to the crisis that makes the flood necessary. Human multiplication becomes the setting for boundary-transgression, violence, and the corruption of all flesh, so that the narrative presents a world no longer simply east of Eden but actively filling itself with ruin. The divine response is correspondingly severe. Grief, resolve, and judgment are all placed in the foreground as YHWH declares that the creatures of the earth will be blotted out because the earth is filled with violence through them. Yet the narrative is not only a sentence of destruction. Noah is marked out by favor, righteousness, and blameless walking with God, and the command to build the ark turns looming judgment into the beginning of ordered preservation. The measurements, materials, creature-pairs, and stored food are not incidental details. They show that within a world about to be unmade, God is already establishing the disciplined means by which life will pass through judgment and continue beyond it.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. One of the major threshold moments in the primeval history appears here, moving from the genealogical aftermath of Adam to the immediate prelude of the flood. Verses 1-4 are among the most debated lines in the Hebrew Bible: the identity of בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, the force of their taking the daughters of man, the meaning of God's declaration in v.3, and the relation of the Nephilim and the mighty men in v.4 have generated a long interpretive history in Jewish and Christian tradition. This project preserves the Hebrew wording without collapsing those debates into a single dogmatic paraphrase. In v.3 the clause לֹא יָדוֹן רוּחִי בָאָדָם לְעֹלָם is especially difficult, since the verb יָדוֹן is rare and variously understood along the lines of abide, contend, or remain in judgment; the phrase בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר is likewise compact and must be translated with some restraint. Verse 4's נְפִלִים should not be flattened away, and אַנְשֵׁי הַשֵּׁם is better heard as men of renown or name. In vv.5-7 the narrative shifts from enigmatic prehistory to the moral diagnosis of humanity: the totalizing language concerning the imagination of the human heart, together with the statements that YHWH regretted making man and was grieved to his heart, demands theological care. The Hebrew speaks analogically and relationally, not by denying divine constancy, but by presenting God's settled opposition to human wickedness in terms of grief and regret. Verse 8 turns the narrative on the small hinge of favor: Noah finds grace in the eyes of YHWH. In v.9 the description of Noah as צַדִּיק and תָּמִים within his generations, together with the notice that he walked with God, deliberately recalls the exceptional description of Enoch while preparing Noah's distinct role. Verses 11-13 use the repeated root שׁחת to tie the corruption of the earth to God's announced destruction of it: what humanity has ruined, God will judge. The ark instructions in vv.14-16 contain several lexical and practical uncertainties, especially גֹפֶר, קִנִּים, and צֹהַר, but the command's force is clear: ordered obedience becomes the means of preservation. In v.18 the promise to establish God's covenant with Noah is programmatic, anticipating fuller covenantal articulation after the flood. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּֽי הֵחֵ֣ל הָֽאָדָ֔ם לָרֹ֖ב עַל פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה וּבָנ֖וֹת יֻלְּד֥וּ לָהֶֽם

And it happened, when humankind began to multiply on the face of the ground and daughters were born to them,

backgroundand it happened
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַֽיְהִי֙and it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen, come to pass'; in וַיְהִי כִּי it introduces a temporal circumstance, a standard narrative opener marking a new scene.
כִּֽיwhenconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Temporal conjunction (when-clause)כִּי (H3588) broad-function particle: temporal, causal, or emphatic; here temporal 'when,' introducing the circumstance of human multiplication.
הֵחֵ֣לbeganHiphil perf 3ms · חָלַל (H2490)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Perfective: completed onset of the processחָלַל (H2490) Hiphil 'to begin, start'; marks the onset of a new phase; here the beginning of demographic expansion sets the stage for the crisis of vv.1-4.
הָֽאָדָ֔םhumankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject of הֵחֵלאָדָם (H120) 'humankind, human being'; with article = humanity collectively, not a named individual; the collective subject sets the global scope of the following narrative.
לָרֹ֖בto multiplyprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָבָה (H7231)Complementary infinitive of purpose→ Infinitive: ongoing processרָבָה (H7231) 'to become many, multiply'; the inf constr with לְ expresses purpose or complementary action; echoes the creation mandate of Gen 1:28, here fulfilled at narrative cost.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (spatial, head)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over, on the surface of'; with פְּנֵי it forms the idiom עַל-פְּנֵי 'upon the face of,' marking a spread over a surface.
פְּנֵ֣יface ofN m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface, front'; pl tantum; in עַל-פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה it means 'on the surface of the ground,' indicating broad geographic spread.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֑הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Construct chain (genitival)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, arable land'; cognate with אָדָם; distinguishable from אֶרֶץ as the cultivable soil from which humans were formed (Gen 2:7).
וּבָנ֖וֹתand daughtersconj וְ + N f pl abs · בַּת (H1323)Subject of יֻלְּדוּבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; pl בָּנוֹת; daughters born to the expanding human population become the precipitating element of the supernatural boundary-crossing in v.2.
יֻלְּד֥וּwere bornPual perf 3cp · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (result clause)→ Perfective: completed birthing eventיָלַד (H3205) 'to beget, bear'; Pual passive 'were born'; the Pual passive frames the daughters as a given, established fact in the world before the sons of God act.
לָהֶֽםto themprep לְ + 3mp pronominal suffixIndirect object (dative of relation)לְ + הֶם; the dative 'to them' indicates to whom the daughters were born, referring back to the collective humankind of the preceding clause.
2

וַיִּרְא֤וּ בְנֵי הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת בְּנ֣וֹת הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֥י טֹבֹ֖ת הֵ֑נָּה וַיִּקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נָשִׁ֔ים מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּחָֽרוּ

the sons of God saw that the daughters of humankind were good-looking, and they took wives for themselves from all whom they chose.

mainlineוַיִּרְאוּ
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּרְא֤וּand they sawQal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, observe, perceive'; the visual act triggers desire and action; the same word שׁ used of God seeing the light was good in Gen 1.
בְנֵיsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl cstr בְּנֵי; the phrase בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים is among the most debated in the Hebrew Bible: divine/angelic beings, godly lineage, or rulers — the context of the Nephilim in v.4 and Job 1–2 favors supernatural beings.
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙the gods/Godart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God; divine beings'; with article; in the construct phrase בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים it denotes heavenly/supernatural beings who belong to the divine council (cf. Job 1:6; Ps 82:6).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking a definite direct object; untranslated in English.
בְּנ֣וֹתdaughters ofN f pl cstr · בַּת (H1323)Direct object (construct head)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the daughters of humankind become objects of supernatural desire, precipitating the crisis addressed in v.3.
הָֽאָדָ֔םhumankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; collective with article; contrasted with בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים to highlight the species/category boundary being crossed.
כִּ֥יthatconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Content conjunction (introduces content of sight)כִּי (H3588) here introduces the content of what was seen: the daughters' attractiveness was the observed quality that motivated the sons of God.
טֹבֹ֖תgood-lookingAdj f pl abs · טוֹב (H2896)Predicate adjectiveטוֹב (H2896) 'good, pleasant, beautiful'; f pl abs predicating aesthetic appeal; the same root used in Gen 1 for divine approval of creation is here used for human desire.
הֵ֑נָּהthey3fp personal pronoun · הֵנָּה (H2007)Subject of predicate nominal clauseהֵנָּה (H2007) 3fp pronoun 'they'; subject of the verbless clause 'they were attractive/beautiful,' referring to the daughters.
וַיִּקְח֤וּand they tookQal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; unilateral acquisition; no divine sanction is mentioned; the verb echoes Eve's taking of the fruit (Gen 3:6), suggesting willful transgression.
לָהֶם֙for themselvesprep לְ + 3mp pronominal suffixDative of advantageלְ + הֶם; reflexive dative 'for themselves,' emphasizing the self-serving, self-determined character of the unions.
נָשִׁ֔יםwivesN f pl abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; pl נָשִׁים; the language of legitimate marriage is applied to the irregular taking, making the unions all the more transgressive.
מִכֹּ֖לfrom allprep מִן + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with מִן partitive: 'from among all those whom they chose,' implying unlimited, unrestricted selection with no standard of restraint.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (restrictive)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'who, which, that'; introduces the relative clause qualifying כֹּל — 'all whom they chose.'
בָּחָֽרוּthey choseQal perf 3cp · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed, deliberate act of selectionבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; always implies deliberate preferential selection; the sons of God chose freely and without stated limit, contrasting with God's own act of choosing.
3

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֗ה לֹֽא יָד֨וֹן רוּחִ֤י בָֽאָדָם֙ לְעֹלָ֔ם בְּשַׁגַּ֖ם ה֣וּא בָשָׂ֑ר וְהָי֣וּ יָמָ֔יו מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים שָׁנָֽה

Then Yahweh said, 'My Spirit shall not abide with humankind forever, for he indeed is flesh; therefore his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.'

mainlinethen
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech introduction)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; standard speech-introduction verb; the divine response to the events of vv.1-2 is a direct pronouncement of limit.
יְהוָ֗הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) the divine personal name; its use here (versus אֱלֹהִים in v.2) places the divine response in the relational-covenantal register of Israel's God.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation particleלֹא (H3808) strong negation of a finite verb; here negates יָדוֹן, producing an absolute divine declaration of limit: 'my Spirit will not...'.
יָד֨וֹןwill abideQal impf 3ms · דִּין (H1777)Predicate verb (divine decree)→ Yiqtol: imperfective prospective — ongoing state negatedדִּין (H1777) 'to judge, contend, plead'; this rare form יָדוֹן is a crux: ancient versions support 'abide/dwell' (possibly a different root), while the MT suggests 'contend/remain in judgment'; the overall force — divine patience has a limit — is clear in either case.
רוּחִ֤יmy SpiritN f sg cstr + 1cs suffix · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of יָדוֹןרוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, breath, wind'; 1cs suffix = 'my Spirit'; the life-giving divine breath that animates creatures (cf. Gen 2:7); its withdrawal is death; YHWH's Spirit will not indefinitely remain amid human corruption.
בָֽאָדָם֙in humankindprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Locative prepositional phraseאָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; collective with article; the preposition בְּ marks the sphere in which the Spirit's presence or contention operates.
לְעֹלָ֔םforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Adverbial phrase (temporal limitation)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'long time, eternity, antiquity'; with לְ = 'forever'; the negation 'not...forever' introduces a temporal limit on divine patience and human lifespan.
בְּשַׁגַּ֖םinasmuch asprep בְּ + שֶׁ + גַּם · compound particle (H1571)Causal particle phraseCompound: בְּ + שֶׁ (relative) + גַּם (H1571 'also, even'); yielding 'inasmuch as, because indeed'; one of the most debated constructions in this verse; some ancient interpreters read a wordplay on שֵׁם (name = Moses).
ה֣וּאhe3ms personal pronoun · הוּא (H1931)Subject of verbless predicate clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; subject of the nominal clause 'he/it is flesh,' referring to humanity and emphasizing its inherent creaturely limitation.
בָשָׂ֑רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Predicate noun (verbless clause)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body, living creature'; marks creaturely finitude and dependence on God; the declaration 'he is flesh' grounds the divine limit in anthropological reality.
וְהָי֣וּand shall beQal weqatal 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal of result/consequence→ Weqatal: consequence following from the divine decreeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the weqatal here introduces the consequential announcement: the days of humanity shall now be limited to 120 years.
יָמָ֔יוhis daysN m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of וְהָיוּיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; pl יָמִים; 3ms suffix 'his days' = lifespan; God is imposing a new temporal cap on human life as a result of the conditions described.
מֵאָ֥הone hundredcardinal numeral · מֵאָה (H3967)Predicate numeral (compound)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; part of the compound 120; this specific figure has been taken as the remaining time before the flood (contextually stronger) or as a new maximum human lifespan.
וְעֶשְׂרִ֖יםand twentyconj וְ + cardinal numeral · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Compound numeral (continued)עֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; joined with מֵאָה by וְ to form the compound 120, a figure that recurs in significant biblical contexts (Moses' death age; Deuteronomy's structure).
שָׁנָֽהyearN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Measure noun (temporal span)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the standard unit of temporal measure; governs the numeral compound 120, setting the absolute limit announced by YHWH.
4

הַנְּפִלִ֞ים הָי֣וּ בָאָרֶץ֮ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵם֒ וְגַ֣ם אַֽחֲרֵי כֵ֗ן אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָבֹ֜אוּ בְּנֵ֤י הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל בְּנ֣וֹת הָֽאָדָ֔ם וְיָלְד֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם הֵ֧מָּה הַגִּבֹּרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר מֵעוֹלָ֖ם אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַשֵּֽׁם

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humankind and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

elaborationהַנְּפִלִים
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
הַנְּפִלִ֞יםthe Nephilimart + N m pl abs · נָפִיל (H5303)Subjectנָפִיל (H5303) 'Nephilim'; from נָפַל 'to fall' or possibly 'fallen ones'; rare term (also Num 13:33); these figures appear as the extraordinary offspring of the supernatural unions and the backdrop to divine judgment.
הָי֣וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential)→ Perfective: stative — they existed at that timeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; here existential 'were/existed'; the perfect records the established presence of the Nephilim in the pre-flood world.
בָאָרֶץ֮on the earthprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; with prep and art = 'on/in the earth'; marks the terrestrial domain of the Nephilim's presence.
בַּיָּמִ֣יםin the daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; pl יָמִים with prep and art = 'in those days'; the temporal marker links the Nephilim's existence to the period of the forbidden unions.
הָהֵם֒thoseart + 3mp demonstrative pronoun · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative modifierהֵם (H1992) 3mp pronoun used demonstratively with art = 'those'; refers back to the days of the unions described in vv.1-3; marks a completed, prior era.
וְגַ֣םand alsoconj וְ + additive particle · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating additive conjunctionגַּם (H1571) 'also, even, too'; additive particle extending the temporal scope of the Nephilim's existence beyond the initial period ('and also afterward').
אַֽחֲרֵיafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase (head)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; here temporal = 'afterward, after that'; extends the Nephilim's presence into a subsequent era as well.
כֵ֗ןthus/thatadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial particle (temporal marker)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, that'; in אַחֲרֵי כֵן = 'afterward, after that'; a common temporal formula marking subsequent events.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhenrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (temporal)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; here temporal 'when/whenever'; introduces the circumstantial clause describing the repeated unions.
יָבֹ֜אוּcame in toQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (relative/temporal clause)→ Yiqtol: iterative/habitual past — repeated actionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter, go in to'; the yiqtol here is iterative/habitual past: they repeatedly came in to the daughters; the idiom 'come in to a woman' is a standard euphemism for sexual union.
בְּנֵ֤יsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl cstr; subject of יָבֹאוּ; the phrase בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים recurs from v.2, indicating the same supernatural actors.
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙God/the godsart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'divine beings'; recurrence of the phrase from v.2; the repetition ties this explanation of the Nephilim's origin back to the initial transgression.
אֶלto/in toprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward, into'; directional complement of בּוֹא; together בָּא אֶל = 'went in to,' a standard idiom for sexual union in biblical Hebrew.
בְּנ֣וֹתdaughters ofN f pl cstr · בַּת (H1323)Object of אֶלבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; pl cstr; the daughters of humankind continue as the object of the supernatural unions, now framed as ongoing/repeated.
הָֽאָדָ֔םhumankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; the contrast between the divine-category actors and human daughters is maintained as the defining feature of the boundary violation.
וְיָלְד֖וּand they boreQal weqatal 3cp · יָלַד (H3205)Weqatal: result within relative clause→ Weqatal: sequential result of the unionיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; weqatal marks the result: the women bore children; the antecedent for the suffix (3mp) must be the daughters.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep לְ + 3mp pronominal suffixDative (born for/to them)לְ + הֶם; 'to them' = to the sons of God; the dative marks the beneficiary of the birth, linking the offspring to the divine-side actors.
הֵ֧מָּהthose/they3mp personal pronoun · הֵמָּה (H1992)Resumptive subject (identificatory)הֵמָּה (H1992) 3mp pronoun 'they, those'; resumes and identifies the antecedent as the offspring born of the unions: 'those were the mighty men.'
הַגִּבֹּרִ֛יםthe mighty menart + Adj m pl abs · גִּבּוֹר (H1368)Predicate noun/appositiveגִּבּוֹר (H1368) 'mighty man, warrior, hero'; with art and in apposition to הֵמָּה; the identity of these גִּבֹּרִים as the Nephilim's descendants places them in the category of extraordinary, pre-flood heroes.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (restrictive)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the restrictive clause 'who were from of old,' qualifying the mighty men.
מֵעוֹלָ֖םfrom of oldprep מִן + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Temporal prepositional phraseעוֹלָם (H5769) 'long time, antiquity, eternity'; with מִן = 'from of old, from ancient times'; frames these figures as belonging to a primordial heroic age.
אַנְשֵׁ֥יmen ofN m pl cstr · אִישׁ (H376)Appositive (further identification)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; pl cstr אַנְשֵׁי; in the phrase אַנְשֵׁי הַשֵּׁם it means 'men of renown'; the construct state links it to the reputation attached to these figures.
הַשֵּֽׁםthe renownart + N m sg abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name, renown, reputation'; with art = 'the name/renown'; אַנְשֵׁי הַשֵּׁם = 'men of renown, famous men'; their reputation is remembered even in the pre-flood world.
5

וַיַּ֣רְא יְהוָ֔ה כִּ֥י רַבָּ֛ה רָעַ֥ת הָאָדָ֖ם בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְכָל יֵ֨צֶר֙ מַחְשְׁבֹ֣ת לִבּ֔וֹ רַ֥ק רַ֖ע כָּל הַיּֽוֹם

And Yahweh saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the day.

mainlineand
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּ֣רְאand sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; YHWH's act of seeing in v.5 forms a deliberate counterpart to the sons of God seeing and taking in v.2; divine vision leads to judgment rather than desire.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) Israel's personal name for God; the shift from אֱלֹהִים (v.4) to יְהוָה signals the relational, morally engaged deity responding to human wickedness.
כִּ֥יthatconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Content conjunction (introduces content of sight)כִּי (H3588) here introduces the content of YHWH's observation: the magnitude of human wickedness.
רַבָּ֛הgreatAdj f sg abs · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjectiveרַב (H7227) 'great, many, much'; f sg agreeing with רָעַת; the fronted predicate adjective emphasizes the magnitude of the wickedness before naming it — an emphatically negative verdict.
רָעַ֥תwickedness ofN f sg cstr · רָעָה (H7451)Subject (construct chain head)רָעָה (H7451) 'wickedness, evil, harm'; f sg cstr; the construct phrase 'wickedness of humankind' comprehensively indicts the moral condition of all humanity, not a subset.
הָאָדָ֖םhumankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Construct chain (genitival)אָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; collective with article; the totality of humanity is implicated — this is a universal moral indictment preparing the universal flood response.
בָּאָ֑רֶץon the earthprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; with prep and art = 'on the earth'; the geographic scope reinforces the universality of the moral crisis.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (second כִּי clause)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, the whole'; cstr introduces an additional, intensifying observation: not only was evil great, but every impulse was bent toward evil.
יֵ֨צֶר֙impulse ofN m sg cstr · יֵצֶר (H3336)Construct chain head (genitival)יֵצֶר (H3336) 'inclination, impulse, formed thing'; from יָצַר 'to form/fashion'; the term describes the inward formation of thoughts and desires; its use here is theologically weighty (cf. Gen 8:21; Deut 31:21).
מַחְשְׁבֹ֣תthoughts ofN f pl cstr · מַחֲשָׁבָה (H4284)Construct chain (genitival)מַחֲשָׁבָה (H4284) 'thought, scheme, plan'; from חָשַׁב 'to think, devise'; pl cstr; the noun describes deliberate inward scheming; here the thoughts of the heart are what the יֵצֶר produces.
לִבּ֔וֹhis heartN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · לֵב (H3820)Construct chain (genitival)לֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind, will, inner person'; 3ms suffix 'his heart' with אָדָם as antecedent; the heart is the seat of thought and will in Hebrew anthropology; this verse indicts the very core of human inner life.
רַ֥קonlyrestrictive adverb/particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverbרַק (H7535) 'only, merely, just'; a restrictive particle that admits no qualification: the entirety of the heart's imagination was exclusively evil — no mixed motive, no partial goodness remaining.
רַ֖עevilAdj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Predicate adjective/nounרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad, wicked'; m sg abs predicating the moral quality; paired with רַק ('only evil') the indictment is absolute and total, with no exception.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial accusative of duration (head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; here in the temporal phrase כָּל הַיּוֹם = 'all the day, continually'; reinforces that the evil was not occasional but constant.
הַיּֽוֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with art and כָּל = 'all day long, every day, continually'; the phrase כָּל הַיּוֹם is an idiom for uninterrupted, continuous duration.
6

וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם יְהוָ֔ה כִּֽי עָשָׂ֥ה אֶת הָֽאָדָ֖ם בָּאָ֑רֶץ וַיִּתְעַצֵּ֖ב אֶל לִבּֽוֹ

And Yahweh regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was grieved to his heart.

mainlineand
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּנָּ֣חֶםand he regrettedNiphal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָחַם (H5162)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — divine emotional responseנָחַם (H5162) Niphal 'to be grieved, repent, regret'; the Niphal reflexive-passive nuance = 'he was caused to grieve himself'; a profoundly anthropopathic statement; God's settled opposition to sin is expressed in relational terms of grief and regret.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) Israel's God; his grief (וַיִּנָּחֶם) and grieving of heart (וַיִּתְעַצֵּב) are relational and analogical language, not denials of divine constancy, but expressions of his moral opposition to human wickedness.
כִּֽיthat/becauseconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal: 'because he had made'; introduces the ground of YHWH's regret — the existence of the very humankind he had created.
עָשָׂ֥הhe had madeQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed creative act, now viewed with regretעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do, create'; the same verb used of God's creation work; his own creative act is now the cause of grief — the creature has turned its existence toward violence and evil.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the definite direct object; not rendered in English.
הָֽאָדָ֖םhumankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Direct objectאָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; collective with article; the regret is over the making of humanity as such, not merely individual wrongdoers — an emphatic indictment of the whole created category.
בָּאָ֑רֶץon the earthprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; locative: 'on the earth'; the earth as the theater of human wickedness is named, anticipating the earth's corruption language of vv.11-12.
וַיִּתְעַצֵּ֖בand he was grievedHitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · עָצַב (H6087)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (coordinate)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded inner responseעָצַב (H6087) Hitpael 'to be grieved, hurt, pained in oneself'; the Hitpael is reflexive-intensive: God was grieved within/to himself; one of the strongest statements of divine emotional response in the Hebrew Bible.
אֶלto/atprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (direction of inner experience)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; in the phrase וַיִּתְעַצֵּב אֶל-לִבּוֹ it means 'grieved to/in his heart'; the preposition marks the inward direction of the grief.
לִבּֽוֹhis heartN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · לֵב (H3820)Object of אֶל (inner locus of grief)לֵב (H3820) 'heart'; 3ms suffix; the heart as seat of divine inner life is addressed: YHWH's grief reaches his very core, paralleling the human heart's corruption described in v.5.
7

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֗ה אֶמְחֶ֨ה אֶת הָאָדָ֤ם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָ֨אתִי֙ מֵעַל֙ פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה מֵֽאָדָם֙ עַד בְּהֵמָ֔ה עַד רֶ֖מֶשׂ וְעַד ע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם כִּ֥י נִחַ֖מְתִּי כִּ֥י עֲשִׂיתִֽם

So Yahweh said, 'I will blot out from the face of the ground the humankind whom I created, from humankind to beast, to creeping thing, and to the bird of the heavens, for I regret that I made them.'

resultso
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech introduction)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; standard speech-introduction verb; here YHWH's grief translates immediately into decisive speech and announced action.
יְהוָ֗הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068) the divine personal name; the speech that follows is a divine decree of comprehensive judgment, grounded in the grief and regret of v.6.
אֶמְחֶ֨הI will blot outQal impf 1cs · מָחָה (H4229)Predicate verb (divine decree)→ Yiqtol: prospective volitive — decisive future actionמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe out, blot out, erase'; used of erasing writing (Exod 32:32) and of destroying beings; here a total and deliberate divine erasure of what was made.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object of אֶמְחֶה; untranslated in English.
הָאָדָ֤םhumankindart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Direct object (first member of list)אָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; collective with article; named first and then expanded by subsequent categories to indicate comprehensiveness of the coming judgment.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (restrictive)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the relative clause 'whom I created,' grounding the judgment in God's own creative act — what he made he will unmake.
בָּרָ֨אתִי֙I createdQal perf 1cs · בָּרָא (H1254)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed creative act, now recalledבָּרָא (H1254) 'to create'; in Qal always with God as subject; effortless, sovereign origination; the statement 'whom I created' makes the judgment a sovereign act: the creator has full authority over what he brings into existence.
מֵעַל֙from uponprep מִן + prep עַל · מֵעַל (H5921)Compound prepositional phraseמֵעַל is a compound: מִן 'from' + עַל 'upon'; together = 'from upon, off the face of'; the combination with פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה echoes v.1 and marks a full reversal of the creation spread.
פְּנֵ֣יface ofN m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (genitival)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface'; pl cstr; in מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה = 'from upon the face of the ground'; deliberate echo of v.1 (עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה) reversing the expansion motif.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Construct chain (genitival)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, arable soil'; its appearance here echoes v.1 and Gen 3:17-19; the ground from which humanity was formed will now be swept clean of them.
מֵֽאָדָם֙from humankindprep מִן + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Partitive phrase (first in list)אָדָם (H120) 'humankind'; with מִן partitive, beginning an extensive ascending/descending list of creatures to be destroyed; the repetition of אָדָם (already named above) emphasizes humanity as the primary target.
עַדto/untilprep · עַד (H5704)Extent preposition (list delimiter)עַד (H5704) 'to, until, as far as'; here marks the extent of the list: 'from X to Y'; combined with the repeated מֵ...עַד structure it indicates all inclusive extent.
בְּהֵמָ֔הbeastN f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of partitive phrase (second member)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, cattle, livestock'; domesticated and wild animals; their inclusion in the judgment list shows that the creation's corruption encompasses the whole terrestrial community of life.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Extent preposition (list delimiter)עַד (H5704) repeated to extend the list to the next category of life; the tripartite list (beast, creeping, bird) echoes the creation categories of Gen 1.
רֶ֖מֶשׂcreeping thingsN m sg abs · רֶמֶשׂ (H7431)Object of partitive phrase (third member)רֶמֶשׂ (H7431) 'creeping thing, swarming creature'; from רָמַשׂ 'to creep, swarm'; a broad category covering land animals other than livestock; created on day 6 (Gen 1:24-25).
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating extent preposition (list conclusion)וְ + עַד; the final member of the list is introduced with waw, completing the sweep: from humankind to birds of the sky.
ע֣וֹףbird ofN m sg cstr · עוֹף (H5775)Object of partitive phrase (fourth member, head)עוֹף (H5775) 'bird, flying creature'; from עוּף 'to fly'; cstr before הַשָּׁמַיִם; includes all airborne creatures; their mention completes the earth-to-sky sweep of judgment.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Construct chain (genitival)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; with art; in עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם = 'birds of the sky'; the standard creation-week category that here faces obliteration.
כִּ֥יforconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal: 'for, because'; introduces the ground of the decree: YHWH's own regret over having made them.
נִחַ֖מְתִּיI have regrettedNiphal perf 1cs · נָחַם (H5162)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed inner state of divine regretנָחַם (H5162) Niphal 'to be grieved, repent, regret'; God's own words echo the narrator's statement in v.6; the first-person acknowledgment of divine grief grounds the judgment in genuine moral response rather than capricious anger.
כִּ֥יthatconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Content conjunctionכִּי (H3588) here introduces the content of regret: 'that I made them'; the statement is stark — God regrets the making, not merely the behavior.
עֲשִׂיתִֽםI made themQal perf 1cs + 3mp suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (content clause)→ Perfective: completed creative act, now regrettedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; 1cs + 3mp suffix = 'I made them'; the suffix collapses the full list (humans, beasts, creepers, birds) into a single object of divine regret, making the regret comprehensive.
8

וְנֹ֕חַ מָ֥צָא חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh.

Adversative pivot: Noah set over against universal corruptionוְנֹחַ
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וְנֹ֕חַbut Noahconj וְ + proper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Adversative subject (contrastive pivot)נֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; the waw here is adversative — 'but Noah'; the name appears without a verbal predicate first, creating a suspenseful pause after the universal judgment announcement; his name may carry the sense 'rest, comfort' (cf. Gen 5:29).
מָ֥צָאfoundQal perf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed, decisive findingמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, attain, encounter'; the subject finds what he was not necessarily searching for — grace is given, not earned; the construction 'to find favor in the eyes of' is a standard Hebrew idiom for receiving preferential regard.
חֵ֖ןfavorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct objectחֵן (H2580) 'favor, grace, charm'; from חָנַן 'to be gracious'; the word denotes unearned preferential treatment from a superior; Noah's finding of חֵן is the hinge of the chapter — preservation is grounded in divine grace.
בְּעֵינֵ֥יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N f dual cstr · עַיִן (H5869)Locative prepositional phrase (idiomatic)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual cstr with בְּ; the idiom מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי = 'to find favor in the eyes of' denotes receiving approval or benevolent regard from a person of authority.
יְהוָֽהYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Construct chain (genitival)יְהוָה (H3068) Israel's personal name for God; it is in YHWH's eyes that Noah finds favor — a relational designation marking that the favor is covenantal and personal, not generic.
9

אֵ֚לֶּה תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת נֹ֔חַ נֹ֗חַ אִ֥ישׁ צַדִּ֛יק תָּמִ֥ים הָיָ֖ה בְּדֹֽרֹתָ֑יו אֶת הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים הִֽתְהַלֶּךְ נֹֽחַ

These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generations. Noah walked with God.

Toledot heading and characterizing introductionאֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אֵ֚לֶּהthesecommon pl demonstrative pronoun · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (toledot formula head)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; cp demonstrative; the subject of the standard תּוֹלְדֹת formula that structures Genesis; signals a new genealogical-narrative unit.
תּוֹלְדֹ֣תgenerations ofN f pl cstr · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Predicate noun (toledot heading)תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, genealogy, account'; from יָלַד 'to bear'; a structural marker in Genesis (occurs ten times) introducing the narrative account of a person's descendants and history.
נֹ֔חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Construct chain (genitival)נֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; the subject of the toledot formula; a new narrative section is inaugurated focusing on the man through whom life will pass through judgment.
נֹ֗חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subject (resumed for direct characterization)נֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; resumed as the grammatical subject of the characterizing sentence that follows; the resumption after the toledot heading is a standard narrative technique.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate noun/appositiveאִישׁ (H376) 'man, individual'; in the predicate position characterizing Noah; the term individualizes: Noah is presented as a specific kind of man within his corrupt generation.
צַדִּ֛יקrighteousAdj m sg abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Predicate adjective (first of two)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous, just'; from צֶדֶק/צְדָקָה; describes conformity to a standard of right conduct in relation to God and community; the first of two character adjectives defining Noah's exceptional standing.
תָּמִ֥יםblamelessAdj m sg abs · תָּמִים (H8549)Predicate adjective (second of two)תָּמִים (H8549) 'blameless, wholehearted, complete, without defect'; from תָּמַם 'to be complete'; used of sacrificial animals without blemish and of persons of moral integrity; recalls Enoch's exceptional status (Gen 5:22).
הָיָ֖הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause of characterization)→ Perfective: stative — existing conditionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the copula predicating the two adjectives of Noah; the simple stative perf describes his ongoing character during his generations.
בְּדֹֽרֹתָ֑יוin his generationsprep בְּ + N m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · דּוֹר (H1755)Locative prepositional phrase (temporal-social)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation, age'; pl cstr + 3ms suffix 'his generations'; locates Noah's righteousness within his particular historical context; some read it as limiting ('only in his era'), others as superlative ('even in his corrupt era').
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (comitative)אֵת (H854) comitative preposition 'with' (H854, distinct from the object marker H853); in הִתְהַלֵּךְ אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים = 'walked with God'; the preposition marks companionship and intimate ongoing relation.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of prep אֵתאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; with article; the object of Noah's walk; 'walking with God' is the same phrase used of Enoch (Gen 5:22, 24), deliberately evoking the earlier exceptional man and investing Noah with comparable standing.
הִֽתְהַלֶּךְwalkedHitpael perf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: ongoing habitual communion expressed as complete stateהָלַךְ (H1980) Hitpael 'to walk about, walk habitually'; the Hitpael reflexive-iterative suggests continuous, habitual, intimate walking; in this idiom it means an ongoing life-pattern of communion with God.
נֹֽחַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subject (postverbal for emphasis)נֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; repeated as postverbal subject for emphatic focus; the chiastic sentence order (אֶת הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֶּךְ נֹחַ) places God at the front and Noah at the end, underscoring that it is in relation to God that Noah's distinctiveness is defined.
10

וַיּ֥וֹלֶד נֹ֖חַ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה בָנִ֑ים אֶת שֵׁ֖ם אֶת חָ֥ם וְאֶת יָֽפֶת

And Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genealogical notice within the Noah sectionוַיּוֹלֶד
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיּ֥וֹלֶדand he fatheredHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָלַד (H3205)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) Hiphil 'to beget, father'; the Hiphil causative 'caused to be born' = 'fathered'; a standard genealogical verb recording the patriarch's role as progenitor.
נֹ֖חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subjectנֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; subject of the Hiphil verb; his three sons will be named as the human household through which life will pass through the flood.
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣הthreecardinal numeral m sg abs · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Direct object (numeral qualifying בָנִים)שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the masculine form שְׁלֹשָׁה used with the masculine noun בָנִים according to Hebrew gender-inversion in numerals; three sons become the seven persons (with wives) who enter the ark.
בָנִ֑יםsonsN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct objectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl abs בָּנִים; the three unnamed sons are then individually identified; they represent the continuation of the human line through the catastrophe.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (first son)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the first of three named sons as direct objects; not translated in English.
שֵׁ֖םShemproper noun · שֵׁם (H8035)Direct object (first son)שֵׁם (H8035) 'Shem'; the firstborn; from שֵׁם 'name' — his name is associated with renown; ancestor of the Semitic peoples; the line from which Abram will eventually come.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second son)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi repeated for each named son; marks each as a distinct direct object of the fathering verb.
חָ֥םHamproper noun · חָם (H2526)Direct object (second son)חָם (H2526) 'Ham'; the second son; ancestor of the African and Canaanite peoples in the table of nations (Gen 10); his later action (Gen 9:22) will carry narrative weight.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third son)וְ + אֵת; the conjunction introduces the final son; the three together form the complete household that will populate the post-flood world.
יָֽפֶתJaphethproper noun · יֶפֶת (H3315)Direct object (third son)יֶפֶת (H3315) 'Japheth'; the third son; ancestor of northern and western peoples (Gen 10); his name may be related to יָפָה 'beautiful' or to a root meaning 'expand'; his descendants will 'dwell in Shem's tents' (Gen 9:27).
11

וַתִּשָּׁחֵ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ לִפְנֵ֣י הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א הָאָ֖רֶץ חָמָֽס

Now the earth was ruined before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Scene description: the world morally ruined and saturated with violenceוַתִּשָּׁחֵת
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַתִּשָּׁחֵ֥תand it was corruptNiphal wayyiqtol 3fs · שָׁחַת (H7843)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁחַת (H7843) Niphal 'to be ruined, become corrupt'; the root שׁחת is the chapter's governing verb (vv.11, 12, 13, 17) linking humanity's corruption to God's announced destruction (שָׁחַת = both 'corrupt' and 'destroy'); a paronomastic judgment.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subjectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; with article; the earth itself is the grammatical subject of the corruption verb — not merely people but the whole inhabited world is described as corrupted.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N m pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (locative/relational)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי = 'before, in the presence of'; the earth's corruption is visible to God, accountable before him; the phrase implies divine witness of the moral state.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of לִפְנֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; with article; the use of אֱלֹהִים (vs. יְהוָה) in vv.11-13 is often associated with the narrative's more universal scope: the creator-God witnesses and judges the whole creation.
וַתִּמָּלֵ֥אand it was filledNiphal wayyiqtol 3fs · מָלֵא (H4390)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (coordinate)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative continuation — second indictmentמָלֵא (H4390) Niphal 'to be full, be filled'; passive: the earth was filled from without, permeated by violence; the image of the earth being full of חָמָס parallels the earlier filling of the earth with people (v.1), showing a filling with the wrong substance.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subjectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; repeated as subject; the earth is doubly indicted — both corrupted (v.11a) and filled with violence (v.11b) — a comprehensive moral and social condemnation.
חָמָֽסviolenceN m sg abs · חָמָס (H2555)Complement (filled with)חָמָס (H2555) 'violence, wrong, injustice'; from a root meaning to do wrong; it describes aggressive, destructive wrongdoing against others; the term appears three times in vv.11-13, making it the defining characteristic of the pre-flood world.
12

וַיַּ֧רְא אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ וְהִנֵּ֣ה נִשְׁחָ֑תָה כִּֽי הִשְׁחִ֧ית כָּל בָּשָׂ֛ר אֶת דַּרְכּ֖וֹ עַל הָאָֽרֶץ

And God saw the earth, and behold, it was ruined, for all flesh had ruined its way upon the earth.

Divine evaluation of the corrupted earthוַיַּרְא
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיַּ֧רְאand sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; God sees in v.12 echoes YHWH seeing in v.5; the divine evaluation is deliberate and informed, not reactive; God investigates before judging.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; without article here; the creator-God is the evaluating subject; the universal scope is maintained by the use of אֱלֹהִים rather than יְהוָה.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object הָאָרֶץ; not translated in English.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; with article; the object of divine inspection; the earth is not merely the stage but itself the implicated party — what has been corrupted will be judged.
וְהִנֵּ֣הand beholdconj וְ + exclamatory particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Coordinating particle (introducing dramatic finding)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; an exclamatory particle that presents something to the attention dramatically; here it marks the result of God's observation as a striking and definitive finding.
נִשְׁחָ֑תָהit was ruinedNiphal perf 3fs · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb (dramatic finding)→ Perfective: completed state of corruptionשָׁחַת (H7843) Niphal perf 'it had been ruined/corrupted'; the perfect here records the achieved, settled state of corruption; the earth is fully ruined — not in process but completed.
כִּֽיforconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal: 'for, because'; introduces the explanation for why the earth was found corrupted — all flesh had corrupted its way.
הִשְׁחִ֧יתhad corruptedHiphil perf 3ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed act of corruptionשָׁחַת (H7843) Hiphil 'to corrupt, ruin, destroy'; the Hiphil is causative: all flesh had caused the ruination; the Niphal (earth ruined) and Hiphil (flesh ruined it) form an interlocking paronomasia — what flesh corrupted, God will destroy (same root).
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct chain head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; cstr before בָּשָׂר; the universal scope: every category of flesh has corrupted its way — no creature is exempt from the indictment.
בָּשָׂ֛רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Construct chain (genitival)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, living creature'; here encompasses the whole living community of animals and humans — all flesh that has a way corrupted that way.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking דַּרְכּוֹ as the definite direct object; not translated.
דַּרְכּ֖וֹits wayN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Direct objectדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, manner of life'; 3ms suffix referring to כָּל-בָּשָׂר; 'its way' = its appointed manner of life or divine ordering; flesh has corrupted the very path/order it was meant to follow.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; the locative preposition indicating the sphere or place of the corruption.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prep עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the recurrence of the earth in this verse (direct object of God's seeing, then location of the corruption) makes it the central character of the moral crisis: it is both victim and theater of judgment.
13

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֜ים לְנֹ֗חַ קֵ֤ץ כָּל בָּשָׂר֙ בָּ֣א לְפָנַ֔י כִּֽי מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֛רֶץ חָמָ֖ס מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וְהִנְנִ֥י מַשְׁחִיתָ֖ם אֶת הָאָֽרֶץ

And God said to Noah, 'The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.'

Divine disclosure of judgment to Noahוַיֹּאמֶר
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (speech introduction)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the speech introduction; God moves from silent observation (v.12) to direct disclosure to Noah, singling him out as the recipient of the divine plan.
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; without article; the creator-deity who evaluated the earth (v.12) now addresses Noah directly; the universal scope of the judgment is communicated by the divine sovereign of all creation.
לְנֹ֗חַto Noahprep לְ + proper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Indirect objectנֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; the recipient of the divine disclosure; being addressed by God marks Noah as uniquely privileged among all humankind in the corrupted pre-flood world.
קֵ֤ץend ofN m sg cstr · קֵץ (H7093)Subject (construct head)קֵץ (H7093) 'end, limit, boundary'; from קָצַה 'to cut off'; cstr before כָּל-בָּשָׂר; 'the end of all flesh' is a solemn declaration of finality — an eschatological-style sentence within the primeval narrative.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; cstr before בָּשָׂר; the comprehensiveness of the coming end is underscored — no living being of flesh is excluded.
בָּשָׂר֙fleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Construct chain (genitival)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, living creature'; the universal category subject to the end; its repeated use (vv.3, 12, 13, 17) becomes the chapter's shorthand for all corporeal, mortal life.
בָּ֣אhas comeQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause of divine speech)→ Perfective: arrived, accomplished — the end is already upon themבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the perfect presents the end as already arrived, not merely impending — a prophetic perfect or statement of certainty; God's decree has already determined the outcome.
לְפָנַ֔יbefore meprep לְ + N m pl cstr + 1cs suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (direction/presence)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 1cs suffix 'before me'; the end of all flesh has come into God's presence — it has reached the level of divine attention and requires divine response.
כִּֽיforconj/particle · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal: introduces the ground of the declared end — the earth is filled with violence caused by them.
מָלְאָ֥הis filledQal perf 3fs · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: completed state — fully saturatedמָלֵא (H4390) 'to be full, fill'; Qal intransitive 'is filled'; the earth's saturation with violence is the direct cause of the judgment; the passive-stative sense is strong.
הָאָ֛רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of מָלְאָהאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; third appearance of the earth as subject in vv.11-13; its identification as victim/theater of corruption drives the logic of judging the earth along with its inhabitants.
חָמָ֖סviolenceN m sg abs · חָמָס (H2555)Complement (filled with)חָמָס (H2555) 'violence, wrong'; third and final occurrence in vv.11-13; its repetition is deliberate; the earth filled with חָמָס becomes the stated cause of the flood judgment.
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑םbecause of themprep מִן + N m pl cstr + 3mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with מִן and 3mp suffix = 'from/because of them'; the preposition מִפְּנֵי 'from the face/presence of' is causal here: the violence originates from them; fixes moral responsibility on the flesh.
וְהִנְנִ֥יand behold, Iconj וְ + particle הִנֵּה + 1cs suffix · הִנֵּה (H2009)Hinge particle (dramatic announcement)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; with 1cs suffix וְהִנְנִי = 'and behold me, I am about to...'; a dramatic presentative that announces imminent divine action; introduces what follows as an action about to commence.
מַשְׁחִיתָ֖םdestroying themHiphil ptc m sg cstr + 3mp suffix · שָׁחַת (H7843)Participial predicate (imminent action)→ Participial: imminent or continuous — God is (about to be) destroyingשָׁחַת (H7843) Hiphil ptc 'destroying, about to destroy'; the participial form with הִנְנִי expresses imminent or ongoing action: 'I am about to destroy them'; the root שׁחת completes the paronomasia — flesh corrupted (שִׁחֵת), God will destroy (מַשְׁחִית).
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (comitative)אֵת (H854) comitative prep 'with, together with' (H854, not the obj marker H853); 'I will destroy them along with the earth' — the earth is swept away together with its corrupted inhabitants.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prep אֵת (comitative)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the earth is included in the scope of destruction — 'along with/together with the earth'; the corrupted creation-order will be unmade so that a new ordering can emerge.
14

עֲשֵׂ֤ה לְךָ֙ תֵּבַ֣ת עֲצֵי גֹ֔פֶר קִנִּ֖ים תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֶת הַתֵּבָ֑ה וְכָֽפַרְתָּ֥ אֹתָ֛הּ מִבַּ֥יִת וּמִח֖וּץ בַּכֹּֽפֶר

Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood. You shall make the ark with compartments, and you shall cover it inside and outside with pitch.

Divine command: first ark-building instructionעֲשֵׂה
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
עֲשֵׂ֤הmake!Qal impv 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (imperative command)→ Volitional imperative: direct divine commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; Qal impv 2ms; the first word of the ark-building command; the deity who announced destruction now gives ordered instructions for preservation — judgment and salvation are simultaneous divine acts.
לְךָ֙for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms pronominal suffixDative of advantageלְ + ךָ; reflexive dative 'for yourself'; Noah's making of the ark serves his own preservation — the command is both directive and for his benefit.
תֵּבַ֣תan ark ofN f sg cstr · תֵּבָה (H8392)Direct object (construct chain head)תֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark, chest, box'; a rare word appearing only here and for Moses' basket (Exod 2:3); possibly an Egyptian loanword (tbyt 'box'); distinct from the ark of the covenant (אָרוֹן); the cstr links it to the material.
עֲצֵיwood ofN m pl cstr · עֵץ (H6086)Construct chain (genitival)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood, timber'; pl cstr 'timbers of'; specifies the material as wooden planks; the construct chain will be completed by the type of wood.
גֹ֔פֶרgopherN m sg abs · גֹּפֶר (H1613)Construct chain (genitival)גֹּפֶר (H1613) 'gopher wood'; a hapax legomenon; the species is unknown; ancient versions and traditions have identified it variously as cypress, cedar, pine, or wicker; the precision implies a specific, known material for Noah.
קִנִּ֖יםcompartmentsN m pl abs · קֵן (H7064)Direct object (acc. of specification)קֵן (H7064) 'nest, compartment'; from a root meaning to make a nest; here describes structural compartments within the ark; the term suggests internal subdivision into separate spaces — cells, chambers, or stalls.
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall makeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, second command)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — ongoing obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; Qal impf 2ms here functions as a directive/prescriptive: 'you shall make'; the same root as the imperative of v.14a, now expanded to include the compartments.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (comitative/accompaniment)אֵת (H854) comitative prep 'with' (H854); 'make [compartments] with/in the ark'; the preposition indicates that the compartments are to be part of the ark, not separate from it.
הַתֵּבָ֑הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of prep אֵתתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark, chest'; now with article, referring back to the ark just commanded to be built; the repeated occurrence of הַתֵּבָה in the section (vv.14-18) holds the instructions together thematically.
וְכָֽפַרְתָּ֥and you shall coverQal weqatal 2ms · כָּפַר (H3722)Weqatal (sequential command)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction following the previous commandכָּפַר (H3722) 'to cover, smear, atone'; the root of כִּפֻּרִים (atonement); here in its basic sense 'to cover with pitch'; the same verb covers a wide range from waterproofing to priestly atonement — a suggestive lexical breadth.
אֹתָ֛הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (pronominal)אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffix referring to הַתֵּבָה; 'cover it'; the feminine suffix agrees with תֵּבָה.
מִבַּ֥יִתinsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phrase (first of pair)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, interior'; with מִן here adverbial/locative = 'from inside, on the inside'; both interior and exterior surfaces are to be sealed.
וּמִח֖וּץand outsideconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Locative prepositional phrase (second of pair)חוּץ (H2351) 'outside, exterior'; with מִן and conj = 'and from outside'; the pair מִבַּיִת וּמִחוּץ = 'inside and outside,' a merism for complete, thorough coverage with pitch.
בַּכֹּֽפֶרwith pitchprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · כֹּפֶר (H3724)Instrumental prepositional phraseכֹּפֶר (H3724) 'pitch, bitumen; ransom'; the waterproofing material; possibly tar or bitumen; the lexical relation to כָּפַר (v.14b, 'to cover/atone') is notable — the same root covers both boat-sealing and ritual atonement.
15

וְזֶ֕ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה אֹתָ֑הּ שְׁלֹ֧שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אַמָּ֗ה אֹ֚רֶךְ הַתֵּבָ֔ה חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים אַמָּה֙ רָחְבָּ֔הּ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה קוֹמָתָֽהּ

And this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.

Specification: the ark's dimensions are now stated in measured formוְזֶה
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְזֶ֕הand thisconj וְ + demonstrative m sg pronoun · זֶה (H2088)Subject (introduces specification)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; demonstrative pronoun introducing the dimensions formula; 'and this is how you shall make it' — the standard specification-formula introducing precise measurements.
אֲשֶׁ֥רhowrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; here introduces the manner clause 'how you shall make it'; the construction וְזֶה אֲשֶׁר = 'and this is what/how' is a formula for specification or measurement.
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֖הyou shall makeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptiveעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; the verb of the relative clause specifying how the ark is to be made; the dimensions follow as the content of the specification.
אֹתָ֑הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (pronominal)אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffix 'it' referring to הַתֵּבָה; marks the ark as the definite object of the making command.
שְׁלֹ֧שׁthreecardinal numeral f sg abs · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifier (part of compound)שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the feminine form used with the following masculine noun מֵאוֹת per Hebrew gender-inversion in numerals; first element of the compound number 300.
מֵא֣וֹתhundredscardinal numeral pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Compound numeral (second element)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; pl מֵאוֹת; with שְׁלֹשׁ = 300; this figure (300 cubits × ca. 45 cm = approximately 135m) describes a vessel of substantial size.
אַמָּ֗הcubitsN f sg abs · אַמָּה (H520)Measure nounאַמָּה (H520) 'cubit'; the standard linear measure ≈ 18 inches/45 cm (forearm length); the cubit unit governs all three dimensions; the ark's measurements recall those of the tabernacle in their precision and divine specification.
אֹ֚רֶךְlength ofN m sg cstr · אֹרֶךְ (H753)Subject (first dimension)אֹרֶךְ (H753) 'length'; cstr before הַתֵּבָה; the first and largest dimension, 300 cubits, gives the ark the shape of an elongated vessel rather than a cube (cf. Gilgamesh cube-ark).
הַתֵּבָ֔הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Construct chain (genitival)תֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; with article; the repeated specification of which vessel is being measured maintains clarity across the three-dimensional statement.
חֲמִשִּׁ֤יםfiftycardinal numeral abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Numeral (second dimension)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; the width is 50 cubits, giving the ark a length-to-width ratio of 6:1, a proportion that maritime engineers note is hydrodynamically efficient.
אַמָּה֙cubitsN f sg abs · אַמָּה (H520)Measure nounאַמָּה (H520) 'cubit'; the measure noun repeated for the second dimension; its brevity (no article, no construct) is standard for measurement lists.
רָחְבָּ֔הּits widthN m sg cstr + 3fs suffix · רֹחַב (H7341)Subject (second dimension)רֹחַב (H7341) 'width, breadth'; 3fs suffix 'its breadth' referring to the ark; the second architectural dimension, 50 cubits, establishes the vessel's beam.
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥יםand thirtyconj וְ + cardinal numeral abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Numeral (third dimension)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; the height of 30 cubits = 1/10 of the length; the three-story height (cf. v.16) at ~13.5m is substantial; the conjunction וְ introduces the final dimension.
אַמָּ֖הcubitsN f sg abs · אַמָּה (H520)Measure nounאַמָּה (H520) 'cubit'; the measure noun accompanying the third numeral; the consistent use of אַמָּה (×3 in vv.15-16) holds the specification together.
קוֹמָתָֽהּits heightN f sg cstr + 3fs suffix · קוֹמָה (H6967)Subject (third dimension)קוֹמָה (H6967) 'height, stature'; 3fs suffix; the third and final dimension; together the three measurements (300×50×30 cubits) present an ark of unusual but practical proportions — quite unlike ancient Near Eastern flood-ark traditions that describe cubic vessels.
16

צֹ֣הַר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה לַתֵּבָ֗ה וְאֶל אַמָּה֙ תְּכַלֶ֣נָּה מִלְמַ֔עְלָה וּפֶ֥תַח הַתֵּבָ֖ה בְּצִדָּ֣הּ תָּשִׂ֑ים תַּחְתִּיִּ֛ם שְׁנִיִּ֥ם וּשְׁלִשִׁ֖ים תַּֽעֲשֶֽׂהָ

You shall make a roof-opening for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above. And you shall set the door of the ark in its side; you shall make it with lower, second, and third levels.

Further specification: the ark's opening, door, and levels are prescribedצֹהַר
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
צֹ֣הַרa roof-openingN f sg abs · צֹהַר (H6672)Direct object (fronted)צֹהַר (H6672) 'roof-opening, window, noon-light'; hapax in this sense (elsewhere = noon); traditionally rendered 'window' or 'light-opening'; probably a skylight or opening along the top of the ark; exact form unknown.
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall makeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; the main verb; the fronted object צֹהַר places the topical item first for emphasis — the light/air opening is the first architectural detail after the dimensions.
לַתֵּבָ֗הfor the arkprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Dative/benefactive prepositional phraseתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; with prep לְ and art; dative: 'for the ark'; the roof-opening serves the ark's need for air and light during the enclosed voyage.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the completion-measurement clause: 'to a cubit you shall finish it from above'; the specification gives the height of the upper margin or finishing edge.
אַמָּה֙a cubitN f sg abs · אַמָּה (H520)Measure noun (limit)אַמָּה (H520) 'cubit'; the one-cubit completion measurement; whether this means the opening extends from the sides to within a cubit of the roof, or that the roof itself is a cubit thick/high, is debated.
תְּכַלֶ֣נָּהyou shall finish itPiel impf 2ms + 3fs suffix · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (continuation of specification)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — completion instructionכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to complete, finish, bring to completion'; the Piel is factitive: 'you shall cause it (the ark) to be finished'; 3fs suffix refers to הַתֵּבָה; the word marks the final finishing act.
מִלְמַ֔עְלָהfrom abovecompound prep · מִלְמַעְלָה (H4605)Directional adverbial phraseמִלְמַעְלָה is a compound: מִן + לְ + מַעַל (H4605 'above, upward'); together = 'from above, at the top'; specifies the location of the finishing — the ark is to be completed at its upper edge.
וּפֶ֥תַחand the door ofconj וְ + N m sg cstr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Subject of תָּשִׂים (fronted)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, door, entrance'; cstr; the second architectural feature specified; distinct from the צֹהַר (top opening), this is the entry point in the side for loading and entering.
הַתֵּבָ֖הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Construct chain (genitival)תֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the door belongs to the ark; the construct phrase 'door of the ark' is the subject of the command to place (תָּשִׂים).
בְּצִדָּ֣הּin its sideprep בְּ + N m sg cstr + 3fs suffix · צַד (H6654)Locative prepositional phraseצַד (H6654) 'side, flank'; 3fs suffix 'its side' (the ark's); the door is placed in the side of the vessel, not the top or end; this is the typical placement for a large vessel's entry.
תָּשִׂ֑יםyou shall setQal impf 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (command)→ Yiqtol: prescriptiveשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set, install'; a common verb for installing or fixing something in a specified location; here the command to permanently place the door in the side of the vessel.
תַּחְתִּיִּ֛םlower onesAdj m pl abs · תַּחְתִּי (H8482)Direct object (first deck)תַּחְתִּי (H8482) 'lower, lowest'; adj; the lower level(s) of the three-deck ark; the three-story structure provides maximum capacity for the ark's diverse living cargo.
שְׁנִיִּ֥םsecond onesordinal Adj m pl abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Direct object (second deck)שֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second, secondary'; ordinal adjective; the second story of the three-deck vessel; the three levels together provided separate areas for different categories of passengers and animals.
וּשְׁלִשִׁ֖יםand third onesconj וְ + ordinal Adj m pl abs · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Direct object (third deck)שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992) 'third'; ordinal adj; the uppermost level; the waw introduces the final deck of the three-level vessel, completing the structural specification.
תַּֽעֲשֶֽׂהָyou shall make itQal impf 2ms + 3fs suffix · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (concluding command)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — final command of the structural specificationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; 2ms + 3fs suffix 'you shall make it'; the 3fs suffix refers to the whole ark; this closing verb rounds off the structural specification section of vv.14-16 with a comprehensive making-command.
17

וַאֲנִ֗י הִנְנִי֩ מֵבִ֨יא אֶת הַמַּבּ֥וּל מַ֨יִם֙ עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ לְשַׁחֵ֣ת כָּל בָּשָׂ֗ר אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ֙ ר֣וּחַ חַיִּ֔ים מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר בָּאָ֖רֶץ יִגְוָֽע

And as for me, behold, I am bringing the floodwaters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall perish.

Divine declaration: God himself announces the flood and its universal scopeוַאֲנִי
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַאֲנִ֗יand Iconj וְ + 1cs personal pronoun · אֲנִי (H589)Casus pendens (topicalization of divine subject)אֲנִי (H589) '1cs pronoun I'; fronted as casus pendens before the predicate הִנְנִי; the emphatic first-person fronting marks this as a divine self-declaration of the most weighty kind: 'As for me, behold I am bringing...'.
הִנְנִי֩behold, I amparticle הִנֵּה + 1cs suffix · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introduces imminent action)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; with 1cs suffix = 'behold me, here I am'; a dramatic presentative announcing that God himself is the agent of the following action; the highest-register way to introduce a divine decree.
מֵבִ֨יאbringingHiphil ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Participial predicate (imminent action with הִנְנִי)→ Participial: imminent — I am (about to be) bringingבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; the Hiphil makes God the causative agent; the ptc with הִנְנִי is a standard construction for declaring imminent action: 'I am about to bring.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הַמַּבּוּל as the definite direct object; not translated.
הַמַּבּ֥וּלthe floodart + N m sg abs · מַבּוּל (H3999)Direct objectמַבּוּל (H3999) 'flood, deluge'; possibly related to a root meaning to flow or overflow; with article it is the definitive cosmic event: the flood; occurs only in Genesis 6-11 and Psalm 29:10 in the Hebrew Bible.
מַ֨יִם֙waterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Appositive to הַמַּבּוּלמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; pl tantum; in apposition to הַמַּבּוּל: 'the flood — water upon the earth'; water, the original cosmic element (Gen 1:2), becomes the instrument of judgment.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (spatial)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; the flood will come down upon the earth — a reversal of the separation of waters in Gen 1:6-8.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; with article; the flood's target is the whole earth — not a region; the terrestrial world of human habitation and all flesh will be covered.
לְשַׁחֵ֣תto destroyprep לְ + Piel inf constr · שָׁחַת (H7843)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: stated purpose of the floodשָׁחַת (H7843) Piel inf constr 'to destroy, ruin'; the purpose of the flood is now explicit: destruction; the root שׁחת ties together what flesh corrupted (Niphal/Hiphil, vv.11-12) and what God will destroy (Piel, v.17) — same verb, reversed direction.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object of inf (construct chain head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; cstr; the scope of destruction is all flesh with the breath of life — universal, no exception.
בָּשָׂ֗רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Construct chain (genitival)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, living creature'; all corporeal life with the breath of life; the category mirrors the flood's scope back in v.13; the same expression as God's judgment target.
אֲשֶׁרin whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative 'in which, that'; introduces the qualifying clause 'in which is the breath of life'; restricts the scope to animate creatures.
בּוֹ֙in itprep בְּ + 3ms pronominal suffixLocative prepositional phrase (relative clause)בְּ + וֹ = 'in it'; resumptive pronoun referring back to כָּל-בָּשָׂר; 'in which is the breath of life' — the defining quality of what will be destroyed is that it lives.
ר֣וּחַbreath ofN f sg cstr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of relative clause (construct head)רוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, breath, wind'; cstr before חַיִּים; 'breath of life'; the divine breath animating creatures (cf. Gen 2:7) now defines what is under judgment; it is the very gift of life that will be withdrawn.
חַיִּ֔יםlifeN m pl abs · חַיִּים (H2416)Construct chain (genitival)חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, living'; pl abs; רוּחַ חַיִּים = 'breath of life'; the standard expression for animate life; same phrase as Gen 2:7; what God breathed in will now be withdrawn through the flood.
מִתַּ֖חַתfrom undercompound prep · מִתַּחַת (H8478)Spatial prepositional phraseמִתַּחַת is a compound: מִן + תַּחַת (H8478 'under, below'); together = 'from under'; with הַשָּׁמַיִם = 'from under heaven,' meaning the entire terrestrial sphere of habitation.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Object of מִתַּחַתשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; with art; 'from under heaven' = the entire inhabited world beneath the sky; this is the full spatial scope of the flood's destruction.
כֹּ֥לeverythingN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of יִגְוָעכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; the absolute form (not cstr) = 'everything'; resumes the totalizing scope: every last thing on the earth will perish.
אֲשֶׁרthat/whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; introduces the qualifying phrase 'that is on the earth'; restricts כֹּל to the terrestrial world.
בָּאָ֖רֶץon the earthprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (relative clause)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; a final reiteration of the earth as the theater of judgment; the repetition of אֶרֶץ throughout the divine speech (vv.13, 17) holds the decree together.
יִגְוָֽעshall perishQal impf 3ms · גָּוַע (H1478)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prospective — decisive future deathגָּוַע (H1478) 'to die, expire, breathe one's last'; used of the deaths of the patriarchs (Gen 25:8, 17) and here for the mass death of the flood; a dignified but definitive term for the cessation of biological life.
18

וַהֲקִמֹתִ֥י אֶת בְּרִיתִ֖י אִתָּ֑ךְ וּבָאתָ֙ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֔ה אַתָּ֕ה וּבָנֶ֛יךָ וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֥ וּנְשֵֽׁי בָנֶ֖יךָ אִתָּֽךְ

But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall enter the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you.

Covenant promise: preservation is grounded in God's bond with Noahוַהֲקִמֹתִי
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַהֲקִמֹתִ֥יand I will establishHiphil weqatal 1cs · קוּם (H6965)Weqatal (covenant promise in contrast to judgment)→ Weqatal: consequential — the covenant stands against the backdrop of judgmentקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to establish, raise up, confirm'; the Hiphil of קוּם is the standard verb for establishing a covenant (cf. Gen 9:9, 11, 17; 17:7); the divine promise of covenant is the pivot from judgment to preservation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object בְּרִיתִי; not translated.
בְּרִיתִ֖יmy covenantN f sg cstr + 1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct objectבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant, binding agreement'; 1cs suffix 'my covenant'; the word denotes a solemn, binding commitment, often sealed by ceremony; God's covenant with Noah here anticipates its fuller articulation in Gen 9:9-17.
אִתָּ֑ךְwith youprep אֵת + 2ms pronominal suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (comitative)אֵת (H854) comitative prep 'with'; 2ms suffix 'with you'; the covenant is established with Noah personally — divine commitment to the individual who found favor (v.8).
וּבָאתָ֙and you shall enterQal weqatal 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Weqatal (sequential command)→ Weqatal: sequential obligation following covenant promiseבּוֹא (H935) 'to enter, go into'; the weqatal shifts from divine promise to human command; the covenant promise of v.18a grounds the command to enter the ark in v.18b — protection precedes instruction.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'into, toward'; directional complement of וּבָאתָ; marks entry into the vessel.
הַתֵּבָ֔הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of אֶלתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the vessel Noah is commanded to enter; the entry command is the climax of the ark-building instructions — the structure was always for this purpose.
אַתָּ֕הyou2ms personal pronoun · אַתָּה (H859)Appositive subject (explicit)אַתָּה (H859) '2ms pronoun you'; explicit subject pronoun reinforcing and identifying Noah as the addressee; the following list of family members is coordinated with אַתָּה.
וּבָנֶ֛יךָand your sonsconj וְ + N m pl cstr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Compound subject (with אַתָּה)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl cstr + 2ms suffix 'your sons'; the three sons named in v.10 are the first listed companions; with their wives (next) they constitute the eight persons of the ark (1 Pet 3:20).
וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֥and your wifeconj וְ + N f sg cstr + 2ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Compound subjectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; cstr + 2ms suffix 'your wife'; Noah's wife is unnamed throughout the flood narrative; she and her daughters-in-law complete the eight survivors.
וּנְשֵֽׁיand wives ofconj וְ + N f pl cstr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Compound subject (head of construct chain)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; pl cstr נְשֵׁי; the wives of the sons are the fourth group commanded to enter; the complete household of eight will repopulate the post-flood world.
בָנֶ֖יךָyour sonsN m pl cstr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 2ms suffix; specifies the sons as the husbands of the daughters-in-law; the repetition of בָנֶיךָ ties the wives to their husbands in the compound household.
אִתָּֽךְwith youprep אֵת + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Adverbial phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) comitative prep 'with'; 2ms suffix; the final phrase 'with you' closes the list of companions and makes clear that all are to enter the ark together under Noah's leadership.
19

וּמִכָּל הָ֠חַי מִֽכָּל בָּשָׂ֞ר שְׁנַ֧יִם מִכֹּ֛ל תָּבִ֥יא אֶל הַתֵּבָ֖ה לְהַחֲיֹ֣ת אִתָּ֑ךְ זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה יִֽהְיֽוּ

And from every living thing, from all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.

Provision for preservation: living creatures are to be brought into the ark in pairsוּמִכָּל
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וּמִכָּלand from everyconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (head of command)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with מִן partitive: 'from every'; extends the ark-entry command from humans (v.18) to the animal kingdom; the conjunction continues the sequential divine instructions.
הָ֠חַיthe livingart + Adj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Substantive adjective (partitive head)חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; adj used substantively with article = 'every living thing'; the category encompasses all animate life — the counterpart to 'all flesh' in the judgment clause.
מִֽכָּלfrom everyprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (appositive)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; repeated for emphasis or as an explanatory appositive narrowing the scope from 'every living thing' to the more specific 'all flesh.'
בָּשָׂ֞רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Construct chain (genitival/appositive)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, living creature'; the comprehensive category of corporeal life; here the objects of preservation mirror the objects of destruction in v.17 — the same 'all flesh' that faces the flood will be preserved in pairs.
שְׁנַ֧יִםtwocardinal numeral m dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Direct object (numeral of pairs)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; the dual form; the key number of preservation: two of every kind, male and female (v.19b), to sustain reproduction; contrasts with the comprehensive death of all in v.17.
מִכֹּ֛לof everyprep מִן + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive phrase (defining scope of the pair)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with מִן: 'of every kind'; each category of creature is to be represented by one pair — comprehensive taxonomic preservation.
תָּבִ֥יאyou shall bringHiphil impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (command)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — ongoing obligation of gatheringבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; Noah is the causative agent of the animals' entry — he must bring them, though Gen 7:9 notes they came to him (divine superintendence and human agency together).
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; the destination of the bringing action — into the ark, the place of preservation.
הַתֵּבָ֖הthe arkart + N f sg abs · תֵּבָה (H8392)Object of אֶלתֵּבָה (H8392) 'ark'; the destination; the vehicle of preservation recurs as the focal noun tying the animal-command to the human-command of v.18.
לְהַחֲיֹ֣תto keep aliveprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · חָיָה (H2421)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: stated purpose — preservation of lifeחָיָה (H2421) Hiphil inf constr 'to keep alive, preserve life'; the explicit purpose of the ark's animal passengers: not merely transport but the preservation of life through the flood; the Hiphil 'to cause to live' is the counterpart to the flood's lethal action.
אִתָּ֑ךְwith youprep אֵת + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Adverbial phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) comitative 'with'; 2ms suffix; the animals are preserved 'with you' — alongside Noah and his family; the ark community is an integrated household of humans and animals.
זָכָ֥רmaleAdj m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Predicate adjective (first of pair)זָכָר (H2145) 'male'; the masculine sex of the pair; both sexes are required for reproduction; the biological pairing is essential to the preservation goal — life must continue after the flood.
וּנְקֵבָ֖הand femaleconj וְ + N f sg abs · נְקֵבָה (H5347)Predicate noun (second of pair)נְקֵבָה (H5347) 'female'; from נָקַב 'to pierce, bore' (anatomical); the feminine sex completing the reproductive pair; the conjunction וְ links the two as an inseparable unit essential to the plan of preservation.
יִֽהְיֽוּthey shall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential prescription)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — required stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the yiqtol prescribes the required condition: the animals must be in male-female pairs; the verb closes the clause with a statement of required existence in pairs.
20

מֵהָע֣וֹף לְמִינֵ֗הוּ וּמִן הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ מִכֹּ֛ל רֶ֥מֶשׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה לְמִינֵ֑הוּ שְׁנַ֧יִם מִכֹּ֛ל יָבֹ֥אוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ לְהַֽחֲיֽוֹת

From the birds according to their kind, and from the beasts according to their kind, from every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come to you to be kept alive.

Elaboration: the preserving command is distributed across creaturely kindsמֵהָעוֹף
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
מֵהָע֣וֹףfrom the birdsprep מִן + art + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Partitive prepositional phrase (first category)עוֹף (H5775) 'bird, flying creature'; with prep and art = 'from the birds'; the animal categories are now specified, beginning with birds; mirrors the creation order of Gen 1 (birds created day 5).
לְמִינֵ֗הוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Prepositional phrase (taxonomic specification)מִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; cstr + 3ms suffix; the phrase לְמִינֵהוּ = 'according to its kind' is taken directly from the creation account (Gen 1:11-25) where it appears repeatedly; the ark preserves what creation established.
וּמִןand fromconj וְ + prep מִן · מִן (H4480)Coordinating prep (introduces second category)מִן (H4480) 'from'; with conj וְ introduces the second animal category; the threefold distribution (birds, beasts, creeping things) echoes the creation categories.
הַבְּהֵמָה֙the beastsart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of prep מִן (second category)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, cattle, livestock'; with article; domesticated and large animals; the second category, created on day 6; the pairing ensures these animals survive the flood.
לְמִינָ֔הּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3fs suffix · מִין (H4327)Prepositional phrase (taxonomic specification)מִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; 3fs suffix agreeing with בְּהֵמָה (f); the standard taxonomic formula repeated for each animal category; preservation is ordered, not random.
מִכֹּ֛לfrom everyprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive phrase (introduces third category)כֹּל (H3605) 'every'; here introduces the third and final animal category with מִן partitive; the expansion 'from every creeping thing of the ground' ensures ground-level creatures are not forgotten.
רֶ֥מֶשׂcreeping thing ofN m sg cstr · רֶמֶשׂ (H7431)Construct chain head (third category)רֶמֶשׂ (H7431) 'creeping thing, swarming creature'; from רָמַשׂ 'to creep, swarm'; cstr before הָאֲדָמָה; a broad category for ground-dwelling creatures; created on day 6 (Gen 1:24-25).
הָֽאֲדָמָ֖הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Construct chain (genitival)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the specific terrain of the creeping things, as opposed to the water or sky; the word recalls humanity's own origin (Gen 2:7) and echoes vv.1, 7.
לְמִינֵ֑הוּaccording to its kindprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · מִין (H4327)Prepositional phrase (taxonomic specification)מִין (H4327) 'kind, species'; 3ms suffix agreeing with רֶמֶשׂ (m); the third and final occurrence of לְמִינֵהוּ in this verse, one for each of the three animal categories; creation-order taxonomy governs preservation.
שְׁנַ֧יִםtwocardinal numeral m dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of יָבֹאוּשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; repeated from v.19; here as subject — 'two of every [kind] shall come'; a subtle shift from Noah bringing them (v.19) to them coming to him (v.20b), suggesting divine governance of the gathering.
מִכֹּ֛לof everyprep מִן + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'every'; with מִן; 'two of every [kind]'; the totality of animal kinds is repeated for emphasis — no kind will be left without a preserving pair.
יָבֹ֥אוּshall comeQal impf 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (animals as subject)→ Yiqtol: prospective — the animals will come of their own accordבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here the animals are the active subjects — they shall come to Noah rather than Noah always bringing them; this shift implies divine direction of the animal gathering.
אֵלֶ֖יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; 2ms suffix = 'to you (Noah)'; the animals are directed to Noah, making him the designated recipient and guardian of the preserved creation.
לְהַֽחֲיֽוֹתto be kept aliveprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · חָיָה (H2421)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: purpose — preservation of lifeחָיָה (H2421) Hiphil inf constr 'to keep alive'; the stated purpose of their coming; the Hiphil inf with לְ marks the goal: these animals will live through the flood because they come to Noah.
21

וְאַתָּ֣ה קַח לְךָ֗ מִכָּל מַֽאֲכָל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵֽאָכֵ֔ל וְאָסַפְתָּ֖ אֵלֶ֑יךָ וְהָיָ֥ה לְךָ֛ וְלָהֶ֖ם לְאָכְלָֽה

And as for you, take for yourself from every food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself, and it shall be for you and for them for food.

Further command: provisions must be gathered for human and animal sustenanceוְאַתָּה
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאַתָּ֣הand youconj וְ + 2ms personal pronoun · אַתָּה (H859)Casus pendens (topicalization of addressee)אַתָּה (H859) '2ms you'; fronted pronoun as casus pendens; shifts focus back to Noah after specifying the animals; 'as for you, take...' — Noah has his own assigned task of provisioning.
קַחtake!Qal impv 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (imperative command)→ Volitional imperative: direct divine commandלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Qal impv; a direct command for action; Noah must actively gather food — the divine command covers both the structural preparation and the logistical provisioning.
לְךָ֗for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms pronominal suffixDative of advantageלְ + ךָ; reflexive dative 'for yourself'; parallels לְךָ in v.14 (make for yourself an ark); Noah's actions benefit both himself and all the creatures in his care.
מִכָּלfrom everyprep מִן + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'every'; with מִן; 'from every kind of food that can be eaten'; the scope of provision is as comprehensive as the scope of preservation — all kinds of dietary needs must be met.
מַֽאֲכָל֙foodN m sg abs · מַאֲכָל (H3978)Object of partitive phraseמַאֲכָל (H3978) 'food, something to eat'; from אָכַל 'to eat'; the noun denotes edible things in general; with the following relative clause it means 'all food that is/can be eaten.'
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (restrictive)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; introduces the restrictive clause 'that is eaten/edible'; defines the category of food to be gathered as food that can be eaten.
יֵֽאָכֵ֔לis eatenNiphal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/generic — food that is (habitually/generically) eatenאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; Niphal passive 'is eaten, can be eaten'; the generic/habitual Niphal impf: edible things; the passive restricts the gathering to things recognized as food, covering the dietary needs of all ark passengers.
וְאָסַפְתָּ֖and you shall gatherQal weqatal 2ms · אָסַף (H622)Weqatal (sequential command)→ Weqatal: sequential action following the imperativeאָסַף (H622) 'to gather, collect, bring together'; the weqatal continues the command sequence: take (impv) → gather (weqatal); the gathering of provisions is as essential as the building of the ark.
אֵלֶ֑יךָto yourselfprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Directional adverb (toward self)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; 2ms suffix; 'gather to yourself' = bring into your possession/keeping; the accumulated food is gathered into Noah's custody for distribution during the flood.
וְהָיָ֥הand it shall beQal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal (consequential outcome)→ Weqatal: consequential — the food will serve its purposeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the consequential weqatal: 'and it shall be'; announces the function the gathered food will serve for both Noah's household and the animals.
לְךָ֛for youprep לְ + 2ms pronominal suffixDative of beneficiary (Noah)לְ + ךָ; 'for you'; Noah is the first beneficiary of the provisioned food; the pair לְךָ...וְלָהֶם makes the provision inclusive of all ark passengers.
וְלָהֶ֖םand for themconj וְ + prep לְ + 3mp suffixDative of beneficiary (animals)לְ + הֶם; 'for them' = for the animals; the waw joins Noah's household and the animal passengers as co-beneficiaries of the stored provisions; the ark's community of life is fed together.
לְאָכְלָֽהfor foodprep לְ + N f sg abs · אָכְלָה (H402)Purposive prepositional phraseאָכְלָה (H402) 'food, nourishment'; from אָכַל 'to eat'; the purposive לְ + noun phrase = 'as/for food'; the abstract noun אָכְלָה is less common than מַאֲכָל (v.21a) and emphasizes the nourishing function of the stored provisions.
22

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֛וֹ אֱלֹהִ֖ים כֵּ֥ן עָשָֽׂה

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

Narrative closure: Noah's obedience answers the whole divine commandוַיַּעַשׂ
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיַּ֖עַשׂand didQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (obedience report)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — closing act of the chapterעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; wayyiqtol reports Noah's action; the same root as the divine command of v.14 (עֲשֵׂה) — what God commanded to be made (עֲשֵׂה), Noah made (וַיַּעַשׂ); perfect lexical correspondence between command and compliance.
נֹ֑חַNoahproper noun · נֹחַ (H5146)Subjectנֹחַ (H5146) 'Noah'; the man who found favor (v.8), was characterized as righteous and walking with God (v.9), now receives the chapter's final honorable identification as the one who simply obeyed.
כְּ֠כֹלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (conformity/standard)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with prep כְּ 'according to, like'; 'according to all' expresses exhaustive conformity — Noah left nothing out; the standard of comparison is the totality of God's commands.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthat/whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particleאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; introduces the relative clause specifying what constitutes the 'all': all that God commanded him.
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed divine act of commandingצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge, commission'; Piel 'to give a command'; the Piel is the standard stem for issuing authoritative commands; God's commands of vv.13-21 are the reference; Noah's obedience is measured against them.
אֹת֛וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (pronominal — Noah)אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffix 'him'; the obj marker with suffix identifies Noah as the direct object of the commanding verb; what was commanded to him (Noah) is what he did.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of צִוָּהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the post-verbal subject of the relative clause; the divine sovereign who issued the building and provisioning commands of vv.13-21; the chapter ends as it proceeds, with אֱלֹהִים (not יְהוָה) as the presiding deity of the universal narrative.
כֵּ֥ןsoadverb/particle · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial particle (resumptive confirmation)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, in this manner'; a resumptive confirmation adverb that caps the obedience report; 'so he did' is a classic biblical formulaic close to a command-fulfillment narrative (cf. Exod 7:6; 12:28; 39:32).
עָשָֽׂהhe didQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (confirmatory)→ Perfective: completed act of total obedienceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the final word of Genesis 6; the Qal perfect reports Noah's completed obedience as a whole; the verse and chapter close on the note of faithful compliance — what God commanded, Noah did, entirely, without remainder.