Genesis 6-9

Years ago, I noticed the resemblance between the words arca (ark) and arcus (bow or rainbow) in the Latin Vulgate's account of the flood in Genesis 6-9.  (When the Daily Dose of Septuagint went through these chapters recently, I was following along in Italian and noticed that this holds true there, too:  arca and arco, respectively.)  I thought that this similarity was significant, but it took me a long time to sort it out.

The resemblance between these words helps to highlight that the ark and the rainbow have the same basic function:  showing God's dedication to His people.

First, the ark acts as the literal means of deliverance from the flood for Noah and his family specifically:

"But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you." (Genesis 6:18)

After the flood, the rainbow represents a broader covenant with God:

"I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."  And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:  I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth."  (Genesis 9:11-13)