What does Genesis 9:4 Mean?

Context Summary

As the human race started afresh on its career, God blessed it, as at the first. God always stands with us in a new start. The prohibition against the use of blood in food is often repeated. See Leviticus 17:11; Acts 15:29. In a very deep sense, the blood is the life. When we speak of being redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we mean that we have been saved by His sacrificed life. The blood maketh atonement for the soul. But while animal life might be used for food or sacrifice, human life was surrounded by the most solemn sanctions. A Covenant is a promise or undertaking resting on certain conditions, with a sign or token attached to it. The bow in the cloud, the Lord's Supper, the wedding ring are signs and seals of their respective covenants. Never witness a rainbow without remembering that as God hath sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so He will not withdraw His kindness. See Isaiah 54:9. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 9

¹  God blesses Noah and his sons, and grants them flesh for food
⁴  Blood and murder are forbidden
⁸  God's covenant, of which the rainbow was constituted a pledge
¹⁸  Noah's family replenishes the world
²⁰  Noah plants a vineyard,
²¹  Is drunken, and mocked by his son;
²⁵  Curses Canaan;
²⁶  Blesses Shem;
²⁷  Prays for Japheth, and dies