The Righteousness of Noah

Abstract

Recent studies have emphasized the significance of the flood story for understanding J's pre-patriarchal history 1). J's interpretation of the flood focuses on the opening and closing units with their statements by Yahweh 2). vii 1-5 is the third unit which contains a statement by Yahweh. Like the other two, it forms a distinct scene with beginning and end. We may expect it to be equally crucial for J. v. lb is the crux of this unit. The problem is the reason for Noah's salvation and the relationship of vi 8 to vii lb. VON RAD says that the righteousness of Noah is subsequent to and not automatically assured by the favor of vi 8. Noah's obedience to Yahweh's command to build the ark 3) is the immediate reason for his salvation. The ark building is a test and vii lb is equivalent to the now I know of the test of Abraham in Gen. xxii 12 4). SKINNER, on the contrary, argues that vii lb is logically prior to and the reason for vi 8. Noah found favor because he was righteous 5). SCHMID regards vii lb as a Wiederaufnahme (repetition) of vi 8. Finding favor is the gift