What does a rainbow mean in the Bible?

Have you ever wondered what the rainbow means in the Bible? God is very clear about its meaning. He explains it in Genesis chapter 9:

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:13-16; NIV, emphasis added by me)

In Isaiah 54:9-10, God mentions this beautiful promise again when He says: “‘To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (NIV)

Thanks to Jesus and His work on the cross (where He took the punishment for all of our sins), we can receive God’s gift of salvation and trust God’s beautiful promise — that He would never be angry with us again. No matter how many times we fail, God’s promise stands unshakeable on the firm foundation of Christ.