Genesis 6:19

KJV

And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every [sort] shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep [them] alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

KJV (with Strong's)

And of every living thing {H2416} of all flesh {H1320}, two {H8147} of every sort shalt thou bring {H935} into the ark {H8392}, to keep them alive {H2421} with thee; they shall be male {H2145} and female {H5347}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“From everything living, from each kind of living being, you are to bring two into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they are to be male and female.

Berean Standard Bible

And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you.

American Standard Version

And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 6:19 articulates God's precise and comprehensive command to Noah regarding the preservation of animal life amidst the impending global flood. This divine directive instructs Noah to bring two of every kind of living creature, specifically a male and a female, into the ark, ensuring their survival and the continuity of their species. The verse underscores God's meticulous foresight, sovereign care for all creation, and His redemptive plan to sustain life even in the face of widespread judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 6:19 is an integral part of God's detailed instructions to Noah concerning the construction of the ark and the preservation of life. It follows God's sorrowful declaration in [Genesis 6:7](/genesis/6-7 "Genesis 6:7 - God's Sorrow and Decision to Destroy") to "destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." Yet, immediately preceding this command, [Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Genesis 6:8 - Noah Finds Grace") states that "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord," setting the stage for a covenant of preservation. The command in [Genesis 6:18](/genesis/6-18 "Genesis 6:18 - God's Covenant with Noah") to "establish my covenant with thee" directly leads into the specifics of animal preservation in verse 19, which is then further elaborated in [Genesis 7:1-5](/genesis/7-1-5 "Genesis 7:1-5 - Noah Enters the Ark") with the distinction between clean and unclean animals.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the antediluvian world, characterized by pervasive wickedness and corruption, as described in [Genesis 6:5-6](/genesis/6-5-6 "Genesis 6:5-6 - The Wickedness of Man"). While specific cultural norms of this pre-flood era are not extensively detailed, the narrative implies a society that had completely deviated from God's righteous standards. The concept of a global flood as a divine judgment is unique in biblical history, though many ancient Near Eastern cultures have flood myths, none align with the biblical account's monotheistic, moral, and covenantal framework. The construction of a massive vessel like the ark, capable of housing such a diverse array of animals, would have been an unprecedented and monumental undertaking, requiring immense faith and obedience from Noah in a world likely scoffing at his efforts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights God's **sovereignty over creation**, demonstrating His power to both judge and preserve life. The meticulous instructions underscore God's **providential care** for all living things, ensuring the continuity of His created order even amidst cataclysmic judgment. It also introduces the theme of **divine election and remnant**, as God chooses Noah and his family, along with representatives of the animal kingdom, to survive. Furthermore, it reinforces the foundational **creation mandate** from [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate"), where God commanded living things to "be fruitful and multiply," ensuring that this principle would continue beyond the flood. The concept of a **covenant** is also central, as the preservation of life is tied to God's covenant with Noah, foreshadowing future covenants of redemption.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 6:19 serves as a pivotal command, detailing the specific scope and nature of animal preservation required for God's redemptive plan to continue after the impending flood. It reveals the divine foresight and meticulous care necessary to ensure the continuation of creation through a catastrophic event.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **living thing (Hebrew, _chay'_):** From H2416, meaning "alive," "life," or "living creature." In this context, it emphasizes that the command applies to all forms of biological life, not just specific categories. It highlights the inherent vitality and God-given breath of every creature that is to be preserved, underscoring the preciousness of life itself in God's eyes.
* **flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** From H1320, referring to "flesh," "body," or by extension, "person." Here, "all flesh" (kol-basar) is a comprehensive term encompassing all animal life that possesses a physical body. It signifies the universal scope of the judgment (all flesh will be destroyed, [Genesis 6:17](/genesis/6-17 "Genesis 6:17 - Destruction of All Flesh")) and, conversely, the universal scope of the preservation (representatives of all flesh will be saved).
* **two (Hebrew, _shᵉnayim'_):** From H8147, meaning "two" or "a couple." This specific number is crucial for the biological imperative of reproduction. The dual nature of the command ("two of every sort") ensures that for each "kind" of animal, there would be a male and a female, enabling them to procreate and repopulate the earth after the flood. This highlights the practical and biological wisdom embedded in God's divine instructions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every [sort] shalt thou bring into the ark":** This initial clause establishes the comprehensive scope of the command. "Every living thing of all flesh" indicates that the directive applies to the entire spectrum of animal life, encompassing all "kinds" or species. The phrase "two of every sort" specifies the quantity and diversity required, ensuring that each distinct biological category is represented. The active command "shalt thou bring into the ark" places the responsibility on Noah, implying divine enablement for this monumental task, as God would supernaturally direct the animals to him.
* **"to keep [them] alive with thee":** This phrase articulates the explicit purpose of the command: the preservation of life. Noah's role is not merely to collect, but to actively "keep them alive," implying ongoing care, feeding, and protection within the ark. This highlights God's intent for continuity and His use of human agency in His redemptive plans. The phrase "with thee" emphasizes Noah's direct involvement and stewardship.
* **"they shall be male and female":** This final, crucial detail specifies the necessary composition of each pair. The explicit mention of "male and female" underscores the biological necessity for reproduction. This provision ensures that the preserved animals would be able to fulfill God's original creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:22](/genesis/1-22 "Genesis 1:22 - God Blesses Sea Creatures and Birds")) and repopulate the earth post-flood, thereby guaranteeing the continuation of biodiversity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Divine Command**, a direct imperative from God to Noah, emphasizing God's absolute authority and Noah's required obedience. The **Repetition** of "every" ("every living thing," "every sort") underscores the comprehensive and universal nature of God's preservation plan, leaving no ambiguity about the scope of the task. There is also clear **Precision** in the instructions ("two," "male and female"), highlighting God's meticulous attention to detail and His perfect design for the continuity of life. Furthermore, the ark itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing a vessel of salvation and a refuge from divine judgment, a theme that reverberates throughout biblical theology.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 6:19 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, demonstrating His power to both judge a fallen world and meticulously preserve a remnant of His creation. This verse reveals the intricate nature of divine providence, where God's plans are not vague but precisely articulated, ensuring the continuity of life and the fulfillment of His purposes. It also highlights humanity's foundational responsibility as stewards of creation, a role entrusted to Noah in a unique and urgent manner, reflecting the original mandate given to humanity in Eden. The concept of God preserving a remnant amidst widespread judgment is a recurring biblical theme, pointing to His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

* [Genesis 7:2-3](/genesis/7-2-3 "Genesis 7:2-3 - Clean and Unclean Animals")
* [Romans 11:5](/romans/11-5 "Romans 11:5 - The Remnant Chosen by Grace")
* [1 Peter 3:20-21](/1_peter/3-20-21 "1 Peter 3:20-21 - Baptism and Noah's Ark")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 6:19 serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of profound judgment and overwhelming circumstances, God's character is defined by meticulous care, purposeful preservation, and an unwavering commitment to His created order. It challenges us to cultivate a deep trust in God's detailed plans, recognizing that His providence extends to every aspect of life, even when His methods seem extraordinary or beyond human comprehension. This verse also calls us to consider our own role as stewards of the life and resources God has entrusted to us, whether it's caring for the environment, nurturing relationships, or managing our time and talents. Ultimately, it encourages us with the comforting truth that God is always at work, sustaining His creation and faithfully bringing His redemptive purposes to fruition, inviting our obedient participation in His grand design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous instruction in Genesis 6:19 reveal His character, particularly His care for creation and His attention to detail?**
* **In what ways does Noah's obedience to such an extraordinary command challenge or inspire your own faith and obedience to God's directives in your life?**
* **How can we, as modern believers, apply the principle of "keeping them alive" to our stewardship responsibilities in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command Noah to bring only "two of every sort" of animal, when later passages mention more?**

Answer: The command in [Genesis 6:19](/genesis/6-19 "Genesis 6:19 - Two of Every Sort") for "two of every sort" (a male and a female) represents the minimum necessary to ensure the biological continuity and reproduction of each distinct "kind" of animal after the flood. This was the universal rule for all creatures. Later, in [Genesis 7:2-3](/genesis/7-2-3 "Genesis 7:2-3 - Seven Pairs of Clean Animals"), God specifies that Noah should bring seven pairs of clean animals and two of every unclean animal. The additional clean animals were likely for sacrificial purposes after the flood (as seen in [Genesis 8:20](/genesis/8-20 "Genesis 8:20 - Noah's Sacrifice")) and potentially for sustenance, while ensuring the basic reproductive viability for all "kinds" remained foundational.

**How did Noah manage to gather all these animals into the ark, especially wild and diverse species?**

Answer: The biblical text strongly implies divine intervention. Noah was not tasked with hunting or trapping every animal; rather, God states, "shalt thou bring into the ark," and in [Genesis 7:9](/genesis/7-9 "Genesis 7:9 - Animals Came to Noah"), it explicitly says, "There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah." This suggests that God supernaturally directed the animals to Noah, ensuring their willing cooperation and entry into the ark. This miraculous gathering is consistent with other divine acts in Scripture, such as the parting of the Red Sea or the provision of manna.

**Does "every living thing of all flesh" include humans in this context?**

Answer: No, in the immediate context of [Genesis 6:19](/genesis/6-19 "Genesis 6:19 - Animals in the Ark"), "every living thing of all flesh" specifically refers to the animal kingdom. Humanity is addressed separately in God's covenant with Noah and his family, who were preserved as the sole human survivors of the flood. The distinction is clear: Noah's family represents the human remnant, while the pairs of animals represent the animal kingdom, ensuring the continuation of both.

**What is the significance of "male and female" being explicitly specified for each pair?**

Answer: The explicit specification of "male and female" is crucial for the biological purpose of reproduction. It ensures that each "sort" or "kind" of animal would be able to procreate and repopulate the earth after the flood. This detail directly fulfills God's original creation mandate for living things to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:22](/genesis/1-22 "Genesis 1:22 - God's Blessing to Be Fruitful")), ensuring the continuation of species and biodiversity in the post-flood world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 6:19, with its profound emphasis on divine preservation through a divinely appointed means (the ark) and a divinely chosen individual (Noah), serves as a powerful type and foreshadowing of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Noah became the instrument by which God preserved life from the judgment of the flood, so Christ is the ultimate means of salvation, preserving humanity from the judgment of sin and death. The ark, a vessel of salvation entered by faith, points directly to Christ as our true refuge and our ark of safety, the one through whom we are [delivered from the wrath to come](/1_thessalonians/1-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Jesus Delivers from Wrath"). His redemptive work ensures not merely the continuity of physical life but the promise of eternal life for all who enter into Him by faith, becoming [new creations in Christ](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ"). Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus fulfills God's ultimate plan of preservation, offering a way for humanity to be reconciled to God and to experience life abundant and everlasting, a salvation far greater than the physical preservation in Noah's day, as [He is the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life").

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

Genesis 7:15

And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life.

Genesis 7:16

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

Genesis 7:8

Of clean beasts, and of beasts that [are] not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

Genesis 7:9

There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

Genesis 8:17

Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.

Genesis 7:2

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that [are] not clean by two, the male and his female.

Genesis 7:3

Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.