Genesis 6–7 focuses on the moral decay of humanity from “very good” creation, God’s judgment on the “violence” and salvation through Noah’s ark. The ark and Flood narrative not only recounts historical events but also carries deeper spiritual lessons that point towards redemption and the coming of the Messiah.
Starting after Sukkot 2024, Hallel Fellowship switched to a three-year cycle of Torah and parallel Bible readings (2024–2027), outlined by TorahResource. While there’s ancient evidence for a triennial cycle, a major benefit is to provide more time to mine more of Scripture for lessons.
Readings
Genesis 6:9-7:24
Isaiah 54:9-10
1Peter 3:13-22
Key themes
Moral decline and divine judgment: Genesis 6:1–8 describes how human wickedness had greatly increased, leading God to regret creating humanity. The chapter introduces the mysterious “sons of God” and “daughters of men,” often debated among scholars regarding their identities, with some interpretations linking them to fallen angels or simply powerful rulers. The corruption on Earth was so pervasive that God decided to cleanse it with a flood, sparing only Noah and his family due to Noah’s righteousness.
Noah’s righteousness and the ark: Noah is depicted as “righteous in his generation,” which doesn’t imply perfection but rather a commitment to walking with God despite widespread corruption. He obeyed God’s command to build the ark, which serves as a symbol of salvation. The Hebrew word for “ark” (תֵּבָה, tevah) is used only here and for Moses’ basket, drawing a parallel between Noah’s and Moses’ deliverance from destruction, suggesting a divine container of salvation.
Messianic foreshadowing: Noah’s role as a “preacher of righteousness” (as mentioned in 2 Peter 2:5) and his leadership in saving his family prefigure the Messiah (Yeshua/Jesus), who offers salvation to the world. The ark is seen as a metaphor for Christ as the “door” to salvation, resonating with passages where Yeshua refers to Himself as the “door” or the “narrow gate.”
Days of Noah and End Times: There is a connection between the days of Noah and eschatological themes, as highlighted in Matthew 24 and Luke 17, where Yeshua compares the days leading up to His return to the time of Noah. The emphasis is on vigilance and readiness, as many were unaware of the impending flood, just as many will be unprepared for the coming of the Son of Man.
Symbolism of Salvation: The flood narrative, while an account of divine judgment, also highlights God’s mercy. The ark is viewed as a precursor to the concept of salvation and rebirth, offering a new beginning for Noah’s family and the creatures aboard. The dove sent out by Noah, which eventually returns with an olive leaf, symbolizes peace and a new covenant between God and humanity.
Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus) and His apostle Shimon Kefa (Simon Peter) pointed to “the days of Noah” as important for believers to fully understand to be prepared for life now and for the “coming of the Son of Man.” This week’s Torah section, נֹחַ Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32), helps us catch the meaning of the enigmatic phrase “one taken and the other left” (Matt. 24:40-41; Luke 17:34-35).
Do you want to be like one who was “taken” in the Flood, washed away (Isa. 54:9–11)? Or do you want to be “left behind” to experience the “living water” pictured as flowing from God’s throne into all the world on the Day of the LORD (Ezek. 47:9, 11–12; Rev. 22:1–2)?
We are living the time of the second exile — after the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. The Torah reading נֹחַ Noach (Genesis 6:9–11:32) teaches us to see Heaven’s elephant in our room while we have the time to…
Just as there was one door to Noach’s ark and the salvation it offered from the waters of the flood, there is only one Door to salvation to save us from the eternal destruction of wickedness that will come at the final judgement.
From the Torah passage נֹחַ Noach (Gen. 6:9–11:32), we see how its main figure tried to warn his generation of the trouble that laid ahead for the earth.
Similarly, Yeshua (Jesus) did the same in His generation, and He has called each generation of His followers to warn their generation of the coming “time of trouble.”
As the…
Though separated by roughly 4,000 years, the “preacher of righteousness” who led his family to “rest” through the Flood foreshadowed the Righteous One Who would bring rest to the world. Here are several reasons why the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. … That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'” (John 3:3, 6 NASB)
The Torah reading Noakh, covering Genesis 6:9–11:32, is a testimony of the origin of Abraham and Israel, of different people groups and of languages. This is real history, not legend or allegory. That is important, because it’s a testimony about the intentions and actions of the Creator.
And the “days of Noah” (Matt. 24:36–44; Luke 17:22–37) teach us how we become…
The Flood recorded in the book of Genesis is one of the most pivotal events in the Bible. But did it happen, or is it just an allegory to teach a spiritual truth? This discussion of the Torah reading נֹחַ Noach/Noakh (“Noah,” Genesis 6:9-11:32), illustrates how the account is real history as well as real revelation of spiritual truth.
Modern DNA studies supports the Bible’s record of a literal Noakh, his literal sons and daughters-in-law and a literal worldwide Flood. Even though Noach was “righteous in his generation,” he was not perfect. He wasn’t saved because he was perfect. He was saved…
Though his generation had forgotten, Noach (Noah) remembered the Creator was in charge, followed His instructions and didn’t have the malice of the world around him. In the Torah section Noach (Genesis 6-11), we learn that the relationship between God and Noach was a two-way street, and it is because of this one man’s trust in God that all of creation was saved.
At first, it’s puzzling why Noach cursed Cana’an for something his father, Ham, did. Is this a generational curse, with the sins of the father being meted out to future generations? Is something else going on here? The answer seems to be in the meaning of the Hebrew words for curse and Cana’an.
God “marked” Noach and his family for salvation in the ark during the Flood. The dove that found dry land after the waters subsided points to another Messenger Who went to prepare room for us in God’s Kingdom.
A number of Bible teachers as well as some popular movies and books teach that believers in Yeshua the Messiah will be “taken away” in the prophesied time of trouble preceding the Day of the LORD. Yet based on the teaching of the Messiah on the “days of Noah,” believers should pray that they aren’t “taken away.”
Some may have no idea what this chapter is about, with “sons of God” marrying “daughters of men” and the “Nephilim.” Some may also have some profound, over-the-top notions about the meaning of this chapter, but if you read this chapter in the context of the previous chapters, the fanciful and salacious interpretations fall by the wayside.
The LORD ended the judgment of the Flood, as recorded in Genesis 8. The remembering of Noakh (Noah) and the sorrow of the LORD over the Flood foreshadow what God will be feeling in the last days when He must bring final judgment.
Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus) said that the days of Noakh (Noah) would be like the last days before Yeshua’s return. We read in Genesis 6-7 what Noakh’s generation and his righteousness were like.
Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus) said that the days of Noakh (Noah) would be like the last days before Yeshua’s return. What was Noakh’s generation like, and what can we learn from his righteousness in that time?
