Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Genesis

[Herbert]

If God created the rainbow as a promise to humankind that he would never flood the world again, then why does the rainbow show up in places where there is no rain? The phenomenon of refraction of light that creates the rainbow also takes place in certain environments where it has not just rained. For example, rainbow colors can be created with a glass prism.

If God created the rainbow after the Great Flood to shine after every rain as his promise that he would never flood the whole earth again, why would God have also made the rainbow to be created in ways other than rain? Did the separation, reflection, and refraction of the spectrum of light that creates a rainbow exist prior to the Great Flood?

Is it not more likely that the rainbow is a natural phenomenon that ancient people explained using mythology?

[jimwalton]

Perhaps a few quotes would be the best way to respond. Victor Hamilton says, "A common motif in ancient Near Eastern iconography is that of a bow-wielding (a weapon) deity. It is a symbol of his prowess. With his lethal weapon he eliminates his foes. The OT itself describes YHWH as a warrior (Ex. 15.3) who vanquishes his opponents with a bow and a quiver full of arrows (Hab. 3.9). So too do God’s representatives fight off their assailants with the bow (Gn. 49.23-24). But here, in what is nothing less than a radical interpretation of divine power, the bow ceases to function as a symbol of combat and is now a symbol of peace and well-being. Its placement in the clouds points to the cessation of God’s hostilities against mankind."

James Boice says, "This was probably not a miraculous sign, but assigned as a symbol of spiritual truth."

John Walton writes, "The designation of the rainbow as a sign of the covenant does not suggest that this was the first rainbow ever seen, nor that every rainbow is associated with this covenant. The function of a sign is connected to the significance attached to it. In like manner, circumcision is designated as a sign of the covenant with Abraham, yet that was an ancient practice, not new with Abraham and his family. In the Gilgamesh Epic the goddess Ishtar identified the lapis lazuli (deep blue semi-precious stones with traces of gold-colored pyrite) of her necklace as the basis of an oath by which she would never forget the days of the flood. An eleventh century Assyrian relief shows two hands reaching out of the clouds, one hand offering blessing, the other holding a bow. Since the word for rainbow is the same word as that used for the weapon, this is an interesting image."

Notice also that the sign of the rainbow is for God's benefit, not man's (Gn. 9.15). It's not that God needs reminding or that something is faulty with his memory. Again, from Hamilton: "The language here appears again in conjunction with the Passover observance in Egypt. Although the blood is a sign for the people (Ex. 12.13), it is splashed on the doorframes so that God may also see it. The point is that God’s promises are entirely believable. His words are totally trustworthy. He backs up his word with an act to eliminate even the possibility of forgetfulness. One need not worry that God is capable of stooping to prevarication. He stands by his word."

So, you see, it has nothing to do with mythological interpretation of a natural phenomenon, but a natural reminder of a spiritual truth, as is frequent in the Bible (like "pile up these rocks as a memorial").

[Herbert]

Interesting quotes, thank you! One point I would make is in regards to the quote about how "the designation of the rainbow does not necessarily mean it was the first rainbow ever seen" etc. When I read the actual bible verses it does sound like God created the rainbow after the flood, and not that it already existed and he was just attaching symbolism to it.

God seems to speak in the future tense, saying "it shall come to pass that I will set my bow in the clouds..." Etc. (Paraphrasing because I'm on mobile) If the rainbow already existed I would expect something more like "from now on, when the rainbow shows in the clouds I will remember my covenant..." Anyway I suppose interpretation of this is a matter of subjective opinion and may depend on what bible translation you use.

[jimwalton]

Great comments. Thanks for the discussion. The first word in Genesis 9.13 is "I have set (נָתַתִּי)..." It means to give, or set. There is no implication here that this is the first time ever that a rainbow first appeared, but only that this time it is assigned a particular meaning. Just as Walton said about circumcision, this was not the first time circumcision was practiced, but this time it is assigned a particular meaning. And from now on it will be (future tense) a reminder of the covenant promise, just like the practice of circumcision or the celebration of the Passover.