Genesis 6:9-10
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was in his generations a man righteous and wholehearted; Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Yaphet.
Rashi states that the insertion of Noah’s description as a righteous man before mentioning his offspring is to act as a blessing as Proverbs says:1 “Memory of the righteous man is for a blessing…” (10:7).2
The rabbis say that Noah was righteous in his generation but if he had lived in a generation of righteous people he would have been all the more righteous. However, Noah did need help which is why he walked with God and not before God as did Abraham.1
The second mentioning of Noah begetting sons is to relate again how Noah was different from his forbearers who had both sons and daughters. The text relates that Noah had three sons and only these three sons. They were saved by Noah’s merit and by them the entire earth was populated.3
Genesis 6:11-13
11 And the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah: ‘The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Tractate Sanhedrin (57a) reveals the opinions of various sages from the School of Rabbi Ishmael taught that the corruption referred to immorality and idolatry. Another teacher declares that this verse describes the way of living and yet another teacher states that this corruption refers to bloodshed.4
One of the teachers said that the corruption teaches the manner of execution. Robbery, according to this teacher referred to the taking of the cultivated herbs as opposed to the wild herbs that were given as food for mankind by God. Still another teacher explained that this verse actually permitted the eating of animal flesh – but not that which still contained blood – but not the prohibition of robbery.4
Yet another one of the teachers said this verse teaches that flesh cut from live reptiles is permitted to eat. Another teacher regards this merely as a blessing. And the last teacher said that this was merely for the sake of mating.4
Rashi teaches that all flesh was corrupted – including birds, beasts, and domestic animals – for they all had relations with those that were not of their species.1 This was also expressed by Rabbi Yohanan.
Rabbi Yohanan said [for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth] teaches that Noah’s generation caused beasts and animals to have relations; and all of these animals and beasts were also brought into contact with mankind. (Sanhedrin 108a)4
Not only was all flesh to be destroyed but also three handbreadths of soil – that is the depth of which a plow digs – would also be dissolved.1 This can be seen more clearly in Targum Onkelos.
And the Lord said to Noach, The end of all flesh cometh before Me, because the earth is filled with violences from the face of their wicked works; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Genesis 6:13)5
Genesis 6:14-16
14 Make an ark of gopher wood; with rooms shall you make the ark, and shall pitch it within and without with pitch. 15 And this is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A light shall you make for the ark, and to a cubit shall you finish it upward; and the door of the ark shall you set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shall you make it.
The question has been asked why God would command Noah to build an ark when God had multiple ways of saving Noah and his family. The sages reasoned that Noah was commanded to build an ark in order for those around him to see him busy with the ark for 120 years.1
Those near Noah would be prompted to ask why Noah was building the ark. This would give Noah the chance to tell them that God has pronounced that a flood would come upon the world. By using Noah to make the pronouncement, the people would be given a chance to repent.
Genesis 6:17-18
17 And I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall perish. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
The usage of the term מַּבּוּל (flood) indicates that the waters will decay everything and transport that which is on high to the lower levels. The waters will cause all the dead to float away to Babylonia.1
Rabbi ibn Ezra stated that the covenant referred to was a sign from God that Noah and his children would live through the flood. He argues that “I will establish” should be read as “I will fulfill my oath” – that is, the covenant referring to the rainbow.6
Bereishit Rabbah (31:12) argues that since the men and women are spoken of separately we learn that Noah and his wife and Noah’s sons and their wives were forbidden to have relations while they are on the ark.1
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1Yisrael Herczeg. The Torah with Rashi’s Commentary – Genesis. (New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd., 2000).
2Aryeh Kaplan. The Living Nach: Sacred Writings. (New York: Moznaim Publishing Corporation, 1998).
3Charles Chavel. Ramban Commentary on the Torah – Genesis. (New York: Shilo Publishing House, Inc., 1971).
4I. Epstein. Soncino Babylonian Talmud. (London: Soncino Press, 1949). [http://halakhah.com/pdf/nezikin/Sanhedrin.pdf]
5J. W. Ethridge. On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1862). [http://www.archive.org/details/targumsonkelosa00ethegoog]
6Kaplan, Aryeh. The Living Torah: The Five Books of Moses. (New York: Moznaim Publishing Corporation, 1981).