Overview of Genesis 9

Says God blessed Noah and his sons: be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth (9:1). Every moving thing that is alive shall be food, but flesh with its life, its blood, is not to be eaten (9:3–4). God will require human life; whoever sheds man’s blood, בָּאָדָם (ba'adam), his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man (9:5–6). The blessing is spoken again, with שִׁרְצוּ, swarm (the BSB has spread out, 9:7). God establishes His covenant with Noah, his seed, and every living creature: never again a flood to destroy the earth; the sign is my bow, which God will see and remember (9:8–17). From Shem, Ham, and Japheth the earth was scattered (9:18–19). Noah became drunk and uncovered himself; Ham saw and told; Shem and Japheth covered him (9:20–24). Noah cursed Canaan and blessed the Lord, the God of Shem (9:25–27). After the flood he lived 350 years; all his days were 950, and he died (9:28–29).

Implies 9:1, 7 renew the blessing of 1:28 as far as the shared wording goes. Human life is sacred because humans bear God’s image (9:6). The covenant is God’s one-sided promise; the sign reminds God. The sin theme of 8:21 continues (9:20–23). The Lord, the God of Shem points toward Shem’s line and Abram.

Uncertain Meat, blood today, the force of 9:6, the kind of covenant, the bow, what Ham did, why Canaan, and who dwells in 9:27 are taken up below; no lean is taken here.