Genesis 2:19

KJV

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

And out of the ground {H127} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} formed {H3335} every beast {H2416} of the field {H7704}, and every fowl {H5775} of the air {H8064}; and brought {H935} them unto Adam {H120} to see {H7200} what he would call {H7121} them: and whatsoever Adam {H120} called {H7121} every living {H2416} creature {H5315}, that {H1931} was the name thereof {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So from the ground Adonai, God, formed every wild animal and every bird that flies in the air, and he brought them to the person to see what he would call them. Whatever the person would call each living creature, that was to be its name.

Berean Standard Bible

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and He brought them to the man to see what he would name each one. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

American Standard Version

And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 2:19 describes the LORD God's purposeful act of forming all land animals and birds from the ground and presenting them to Adam. This pivotal event serves to highlight God's intimate involvement with His human creation, Adam's unique intellectual and volitional capacities, and his divinely delegated role as steward over the created order, culminating in his authoritative act of naming each creature. This process also subtly underscores Adam's solitude, setting the narrative stage for the subsequent creation of Eve.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the second creation account (Genesis 2:4-25), which focuses more intimately on the creation of humanity and the establishment of their relationship with God and the created world. Immediately preceding it, [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "The Formation of Adam") details the formation of Adam from the dust of the ground and God breathing life into him, establishing his unique connection to both the earth and God. The verse directly follows God's declaration in [Genesis 2:18](/genesis/2-18 "God's Assessment of Adam's Solitude") that "it is not good for the man to be alone," which sets the stage for the search for a suitable companion. The naming of the animals in [Genesis 2:19](/genesis/2-19 "Adam Naming the Animals") and [Genesis 2:20](/genesis/2-20 "Adam's Search for a Helper") is the direct narrative response to this divine observation, leading inevitably to the creation of Eve.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the act of naming was far more significant than mere identification; it often implied authority, ownership, and an understanding of the essence or character of the named entity. Kings would name newly conquered territories or people, signifying their dominion. Deities in creation myths often named elements of creation as part of their ordering process. Thus, Adam's naming of the animals would have been understood by ancient audiences as a profound act of delegated authority and stewardship, reflecting his unique position as God's representative on earth. The concept of "man from the ground" (`adam` from `adamah`) was also a common motif in ancient creation narratives, but here it is uniquely tied to the personal, covenantal God, Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 2:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Intentionality**, demonstrating God's meticulous care in creating and ordering the world, and His purposeful engagement with humanity. It is a tangible expression of **Humanity's Delegated Dominion and Stewardship**, a theme first introduced in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Dominion Mandate"), showing Adam actively exercising his God-given authority. Crucially, it also develops the theme of **Humanity's Need for Companionship**, as the process of naming the animals implicitly highlights Adam's unique status and the absence of a suitable counterpart among the animal kingdom, thereby preparing the reader for the creation of Eve in [Genesis 2:21-23](/genesis/2-21-23 "The Creation of Eve").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **formed (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_ - H3335):** This verb signifies a deliberate, skilled act of shaping or molding, much like a potter forms clay. It is the same verb used in [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Adam's Formation") for God forming Adam from the dust. Its use here emphasizes that the animals were not merely brought into existence by fiat, but intricately designed and shaped by the LORD God, reflecting His creative artistry and intentionality in their individual forms and functions.
* **Adam (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_ - H120):** Derived from `adamah` (ground), this name highlights humanity's origin from the earth, establishing a profound connection to the physical world. Yet, as the recipient of the animals and the one given the task of naming, Adam is simultaneously set apart from the animal kingdom, possessing a unique capacity for intellect, volition, and relationship with God. The name thus encapsulates both humanity's earthly connection and its elevated status.
* **name (Hebrew, _shêm'_ - H8034):** More than a mere label, a "name" in ancient Hebrew thought conveyed identity, character, authority, and even destiny. To give a name was to assert a profound understanding of, and often dominion over, the named entity. When Adam names the animals, he is not just categorizing them; he is exercising his delegated authority, discerning their essence, and establishing their place within the created order under his stewardship. The permanence implied by "that was the name thereof" underscores the weight and authority of Adam's act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air;":** This clause reiterates the divine origin of all terrestrial and avian life, emphasizing God's role as the sovereign Creator. The phrase "out of the ground" (Hebrew: `adamah`) links the animals' creation to the same material source as Adam, highlighting a shared material connection, yet the subsequent narrative distinguishes Adam's unique status. The use of "LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim) signifies both the personal, covenantal God and the supreme Creator, underscoring the intimate and powerful nature of this creative act.
* **"and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them:":** This section reveals God's intentionality in involving Adam in His creation. God personally "brought" the creatures to Adam, signifying a direct, purposeful presentation. The phrase "to see what he would call them" implies a test or a task designed to engage Adam's cognitive and volitional faculties. It was an opportunity for Adam to exercise his intellect, observe the creatures, and demonstrate his understanding and delegated authority over them. This also subtly prepares for the revelation of Adam's solitude.
* **"and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.":** This final clause affirms the authority and permanence of Adam's naming act. His pronouncements were not arbitrary but carried divine sanction, becoming the definitive names for the creatures. This act of naming signifies not only Adam's intellectual capacity to discern and categorize but also his exercise of dominion and stewardship over creation, a tangible fulfillment of the mandate given in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Dominion Mandate"). It underscores his unique position as God's vice-regent on earth.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the depiction of the LORD God "bringing" the animals to Adam, portraying God in human-like action to emphasize His personal engagement and interaction with His creation. The **Repetition** of the verb "called" (Hebrew: `qara`) highlights the significance and authority of Adam's act of naming. Furthermore, the act of naming itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing Adam's delegated dominion, his intellectual capacity, and his unique role as God's image-bearer. The narrative structure also uses **Foreshadowing**, as Adam's inability to find a "helper comparable to him" among the animals subtly prepares the reader for the subsequent creation of Eve, fulfilling the thematic need for companionship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 2:19 is a rich theological text, illustrating God's meticulous ordering of creation and humanity's unique place within it. It demonstrates God's active involvement in the world He created, not merely as a distant architect but as a personal Lord who engages with His human creation. Adam's ability to name the animals reflects the rational and volitional capacities inherent in being made in the image of God, underscoring humanity's distinctiveness and its God-given responsibility to understand, order, and care for the world. This act of naming is a tangible expression of humanity's delegated authority and stewardship, not for exploitation, but for responsible management under God's ultimate sovereignty.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Dominion Mandate")
* [Psalm 8:6](/psalms/8-6 "Humanity's Dominion Over Creation")
* [Proverbs 16:4](/proverbs/16-4 "God's Purpose in Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 2:19 serves as a profound reminder of our enduring call to responsible stewardship over God's creation. Just as Adam was entrusted with discerning, ordering, and caring for the natural world, we, too, are challenged to understand, appreciate, and protect the environment around us. This involves recognizing the inherent value of all life as divinely formed, and exercising our delegated authority not as a right to exploit, but as a sacred trust to cultivate and keep. This verse also affirms the inherent dignity and intellectual capacity of humanity, created to engage meaningfully with God's world and, ultimately, with God Himself. Our ability to categorize, understand, and appreciate the natural world is a reflection of the `imago Dei` within us, calling us to use our faculties for God's glory and the good of creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Adam's act of naming the animals inform our understanding of human responsibility toward creation today?**
* **In what ways can we, as image-bearers of God, actively participate in "naming" (understanding and ordering) the world around us for God's glory?**
* **How does the narrative of Adam's search for a helper among the animals speak to our own human need for companionship and community?**

### FAQ

**Why did God bring the animals to Adam for naming, rather than naming them Himself?**

Answer: God's act of bringing the animals to Adam for naming serves multiple profound purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates Adam's delegated authority and stewardship over creation, fulfilling the dominion mandate given to humanity in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Dominion Mandate"). By entrusting this task to Adam, God affirms humanity's unique intellectual and volitional capacities as those made in His image. Secondly, it highlights God's desire for humanity's active participation in His creation, not as passive recipients but as engaged co-laborers. Finally, and crucially for the narrative, this process allows Adam to experience the lack of a suitable companion among all the creatures, thereby setting the stage for God's declaration that "it is not good for the man to be alone" ([Genesis 2:18](/genesis/2-18 "God's Assessment of Adam's Solitude")) and the subsequent creation of Eve, his true counterpart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 2:19, with its depiction of Adam's delegated dominion and his implicit search for a suitable helper, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Adam's naming of creation, an act of ordering and authority, foreshadows Christ's perfect and ultimate dominion over all things. For it is through Christ and for Christ that all things were created, and in Him, all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Christ's Supremacy in Creation")). He is the true and eternal Lord over all creation, the one who perfectly understands and rightly orders every aspect of existence. Moreover, Adam's longing for a perfect counterpart, which was satisfied by the creation of Eve, beautifully prefigures Christ's relationship with the Church, His beloved bride ([Ephesians 5:32](/ephesians/5-32 "Christ and the Church as a Mystery")). As the "last Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "The First and Last Adam")), Christ perfectly fulfills humanity's original mandate, not only exercising perfect dominion but also providing the ultimate companionship and reconciliation for all who are united with Him through faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 8:4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Psalms 8:8

The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, [and whatsoever] passeth through the paths of the seas.

Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:20

¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

Genesis 1:26

¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 9:2

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

Genesis 6:20

Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every [sort] shall come unto thee, to keep [them] alive.