the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:3,4); but not for a considerable time
after this was divine permission given him to leave the ark, so that he and
his family were a whole year shut up within it (Genesis 6-14).
On leaving the ark Noah’s first act was to erect an altar, the first of which
there is any mention, and offer the sacrifices of adoring thanks and praise
to God, who entered into a covenant with him, the first covenant between
God and man, granting him possession of the earth by a new and special
charter, which remains in force to the present time (Genesis 8:21-9:17). As
a sign and witness of this covenant, the rainbow was adopted and set apart
by God, as a sure pledge that never again would the earth be destroyed by
a flood.
But, alas! Noah after this fell into grievous sin (Genesis 9:21); and the
conduct of Ham on this sad occasion led to the memorable prediction
regarding his three sons and their descendants. Noah “lived after the flood
three hundred and fifty years, and he died” (28:29). (See DELUGE).
Noah, motion, (Hebrews No’ah) one of the five daughters of Zelophehad
(Numbers 26:33; 27:1; 36:11; Joshua 17:3).
- NOB high place, a city of the priests, first mentioned in the history of
David’s wanderings (1 Samuel 21:1). Here the tabernacle was then
standing, and here Ahimelech the priest resided. (See AHIMELECH.)
From Isaiah 10:28-32 it seems to have been near Jerusalem. It has been
identified by some with el-Isawiyeh, one mile and a half to the north-east
of Jerusalem. But according to Isaiah 10:28-32 it was on the south of
Geba, on the road to Jerusalem, and within sight of the city. This
identification does not meet these conditions, and hence others (as Dean
Stanley) think that it was the northern summit of Mount Olivet, the place
where David “worshipped God” when fleeing from Absalom (2 Samuel
15:32), or more probably (Conder) that it was the same as Mizpeh (q.v.),
Judges 20:1; Joshua 18:26; 1 Samuel 7:16, at Nebi Samwil, about 5 miles
north-west of Jerusalem.
After being supplied with the sacred loaves of showbread, and girding on
the sword of Goliath, which was brought forth from behind the ephod,
David fled from Nob and sought refuge at the court of Achish, the king of
Gath, where he was cast into prison. (Comp. titles of Psalm 34 and 56.)