The command to enter, and Noah’s obedience (Genesis 7:1–5)

Says The Lord tells Noah to go into the ark, he and all his house, because He has seen him righteous before Him in this generation (7:1). 6:9 used righteous with in his generations, plural; here God says it, with the singular this generation. Swete has σὲ ἴδον δίκαιον ἐναντίον μου ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ. The command of the sevens and the pairs, and the rain in yet seven days, follow in 7:2–4, and are treated in the note on the sevens. “And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him” (7:5, BSB), the formula of 6:22, now with the Lord named. “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family” (Heb 11:7, BSB). See the Hebrew note and the notes on Genesis 6.

Implies The reason for the command is the righteousness God has seen in Noah in this generation. The obedience of 7:5 answers the command of 7:1–4, as 6:22 answered the earlier command.

Uncertain Whether this generation means the people of Noah’s time, or the span of his life, is open; no lean is taken here. The persons of the chapter are treated in the note on persons and history.