1. 2 Peter 2:5 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Peter call Noah a herald of righteousness?

2 Peter 2:5 (ESV)

5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

The idea of Noah being a herald is not apparent from the narrative in Genesis 6:1 – 8:22, though it can be found in extrabiblical Jewish literature (see Sibylline Oracle 1.148-980, Jubilees 7:20).1 It also corresponds with the sons of God being understood as a reference to messengers of the covenant.2 Most certainly Noah would have explained why he is building an ark when questioned by those living around him.3