Chiasmus / Literary Structure
The Chiastic Structure of Genesis 6:10-9:19
Genesis 6:10-9:19 (The Flood Narrative) is arranged as a chiasm— an ancient mirror pattern (A-B-C-B′-A′) in which ideas repeat in reverse order around a central pivot. The structure turns on its center: “GOD REMEMBERS NOAH”. The great Flood narrative forms one of the most recognized chiasms in the Old Testament, with God's remembrance of Noah as the central pivot.
The Mirror Pattern
- A
Noah's three sons (Shem, Ham, Japheth)
Genesis 6:10
- B
God resolves to destroy the earth
Genesis 6:13-22
- C
Noah enters the ark
Genesis 7:1-9
- D
The flood begins -- 7 days waiting
Genesis 7:10-16
- E
The waters rise for 40 days
Genesis 7:17-24
- X
GOD REMEMBERS NOAH
Genesis 8:1a
Central pivot — the emphasized point
- E'
The waters recede for 40 days
Genesis 8:1b-5
- D'
The earth dries -- 7 days waiting
Genesis 8:6-14
- C'
Noah exits the ark
Genesis 8:15-19
- B'
God resolves to preserve the earth
Genesis 8:20-9:17
- A'
Noah's three sons (Shem, Ham, Japheth)
Genesis 9:18-19
Indentation shows the nesting toward the central pivot and back out — the hallmark of a chiasm.
Why the Structure Matters
In a chiasm, the author’s main point is placed at the center rather than the end. Reading Genesis 6:10-9:19 as a mirror pattern draws the eye to its pivot — “GOD REMEMBERS NOAH” — as the key the passage turns on. Recognizing the structure changes how the passage is read and preached.