no rest Compare the Babylonian description, "the dove went to and fro; as there was no resting-place, it turned back." Clearly the account in these verses implies that only water was visible: it represents an earlier stage than that in Genesis 8:5 (P).

put forth his hand The description is one of great beauty and simplicity. The dove trusted Noah: the ark was its only home. The dove was only for a short time absent from the ark.

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