974. Afterwards the state of man subsequent to the flood, who is in the capacity to receive charity, is described by the “bow in the cloud” which he resembles (verses 12-17). This “bow” has regard to the man of the church, or the regenerate man (verses 12-13); to every man in general (verses 14-15); specifically, to the man who is in the capacity of being regenerated (verse 16); and consequently not only to man within but also to man without the church (verse 17).