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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 7:13–16. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is repeated what was related before of Noah's entrance into the ark, with his family and creatures that were marked for preservation. Now,
I.It is thus repeated for the honour of Noah, whose faith and obedience herein shone so brightly, by which he obtained a good report, and who herein appeared so great a favourite of Heaven and so great a blessing to this earth.
II.Notice is here taken of the beasts going in each after his kind, according to the phrase used in the history of the creation (Gen 1:21-25), to intimate that just as many kinds as were created at first were saved now, and no more; and that this preservation was as a new creation: a life remarkably protected is, as it were, a new life.
III.Though all enmities and hostilities between the creatures ceased for the present, and ravenous creatures were not only so mild and manageable as that the wolf and the lamb lay down together, but so strangely altered as that the lion did eat straw like an ox (Isa 11:6, Isa 11:7), yet, when this occasion was over, the restraint was taken off, and they were still of the same kind as ever; for the ark did not alter their constitution. Hypocrites in the church, that externally conform to the laws of that ark, may yet be unchanged, and then it will appear, one time or other, what kind they are after.
IV.It is added (and the circumstance deserves our notice), The Lord shut him in, Gen 7:16.
As Noah continued his obedience to God, so God continued his care of Noah: and here it appeared to be a very distinguishing care; for the shutting of this door set up a partition wall between him and all the world besides. God shut the door,
1.To secure him, and keep him safe in the ark. The door must be shut very close, lest the waters should break in and sink the ark, and very fast, lest any without should break it down. Thus God made up Noah, as he makes up his jewels, Mal 3:17.
2.To exclude all others, and keep them for ever out. Hitherto the door of the ark stood open, and if any, even during the last seven days, had repented and believed, for aught I know they might have been welcomed into the ark; but now the door was shut, and they were cut off from all hopes of admittance: for God shutteth, and none can open.
V.There is much of our gospel duty and privilege to be seen in Noah's preservation in the ark.
The apostle makes it a type of our baptism, that is, our Christianity, Pe1 3:20, Pe1 3:21. Observe then,
1.It is our great duty, in obedience to the gospel call, by a lively faith in Christ, to come into that way of salvation which God has provided for poor sinners. When Noah came into the ark, he quitted his own house and lands; so must we quit our own righteousness and our worldly possessions, whenever they come into competition with Christ. Noah must, for a while, submit to the confinements and inconveniences of the ark, in order to his preservation for a new world; so those that come into Christ to be saved by him must deny themselves, both in sufferings and services.
2.Those that come into the ark themselves should bring as many as they can in with them, by good instructions, by persuasions, and by a good example. What knowest thou, O man, but thou mayest thus save thy wife (Co1 7:16), as Noah did his? There is room enough in Christ for all comers.
3.Those that by faith come into Christ, the ark, shall by the power of God be shut in, and kept as in a strong-hold by the power of God, Pe1 1:5. God put Adam into paradise, but he did not shut him in, and so he threw himself out; but when he put Noah into the ark he shut him in, and so when he brings a soul to Christ he ensures its salvation: it is not in our own keeping, but in the Mediator's hand.
4.The door of mercy will shortly be shut against those that now make light of it. Now, knock and it shall be opened; but the time will come when it shall not, Luk 13:25.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
When 'God shut Noah into the ark,' you must not imagine that the unbegotten God Himself came down or went up from any place. For the ineffable Father and Lord of all neither has come to any place, nor walks, nor sleeps, nor rises up, but remains in His own place, wherever that is, quick to behold and quick to hear, having neither eyes nor ears, but being of indescribable might; and He sees all things, and knows all things, and none of us escapes His observation; and He is not moved or confined to a spot in the whole world, for He existed before the world was made.
“The Lord shut the door before Noah,” lest those left behind come at the time of the floods and break down the gate of the ark. The deluge came and “God blotted out all flesh. Only Noah was left and those that were with him in the ark.” The springs of the abyss and the floodgates of heaven were open forty days and forty nights, and the “ark was afloat for one hundred fifty days.”
The text goes on, “The Lord God shut the ark from the outside.” Notice in this place too the considerateness in the expression “God shut the ark from the outside,” to teach us that he had ensured the good man’s complete safety. The reason for adding “from the outside” to “he shut” was that the good man might not be in the position of seeing the disaster occur and suffering even greater distress. I mean, if he brooded over that terrible flood and set indelibly in his mind the destruction of the human race, the complete annihilation of all brute beasts and the disappearance, as it were, of people, animals and the earth itself, he would have been disturbed and anguished.
[We see that] certain psalms are titled “for the octave.” This is the day on which the synagogue comes to an end and the church is born. This is the day in the number of which eight souls were preserved in the ark of Noah, and “its counterpart, the church,” says Peter, “now saves you.”
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Summary
Genesis 7:14 meticulously details the comprehensive entry of diverse animal categories into Noah's Ark, emphasizing that each entered "after his kind." This verse underscores the precise fulfillment of God's divine command for the preservation of all land-dwelling, air-breathing life, highlighting the meticulous order maintained even amidst the impending global judgment and the comprehensive scope of the divine rescue operation.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the Flood narrative, immediately following Noah, his family, and the animals' entry into the Ark (Genesis 7:13). It serves as the culmination of God's detailed instructions given to Noah in Genesis 6:19-20 and Genesis 7:2-3. The preceding verses describe the gathering and entry, while Genesis 7:14 provides a comprehensive summary of the types of creatures, reinforcing the complete obedience of Noah and the global scope of the impending deluge. The subsequent verses (Genesis 7:15-16) describe the process of entry and God's sealing of the Ark, setting the stage for the commencement of the Flood.
Historical & Cultural Context
The concept of a great flood was not unique to ancient Israel, with various flood narratives existing in the ancient Near East (e.g., the Epic of Gilgamesh, Atrahasis). However, the biblical account in Genesis distinguishes itself by its monotheistic framework, moral emphasis, and the direct, personal interaction between God and Noah. The meticulous categorization of animals "after his kind" reflects an ancient understanding of biological distinction, emphasizing divine order in creation rather than an evolutionary process. The pre-Flood world, as depicted in Genesis 6:5-7, was characterized by widespread corruption and violence, necessitating divine judgment. The Ark, therefore, represents God's singular means of preserving a remnant of humanity and the animal kingdom, establishing a new beginning for creation.
Key Themes
Genesis 7:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Preservation, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation and His ability to sustain life even in the face of cataclysmic judgment. Secondly, the repeated phrase "after his kind" highlights the theme of Created Order and Distinction, echoing the creation account in Genesis 1, where God established distinct biological categories. This emphasizes an intelligent design and fixed boundaries within creation. Thirdly, the verse subtly underscores Noah's Obedience, as the entry of these diverse creatures is a direct fulfillment of God's specific commands, a theme central to Noah's righteousness (e.g., Genesis 6:22). Finally, it foreshadows the theme of New Creation, as the preserved life forms on the Ark will repopulate the earth, leading to a renewed covenant with God in Genesis 9.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From an unused root meaning "to portion out," this word denotes a "sort" or "species." In the context of Genesis, especially in the creation and flood narratives, it refers to distinct, reproducing biological categories established by God. The repeated use of "after his kind" (H4327) throughout Genesis 1 and 7 emphasizes the fixed boundaries within which living things reproduce, ensuring the integrity of created types.
Derived from a root meaning "alive," this term broadly refers to living things, often specifically to "wild beasts" or living creatures. In this context, it distinguishes undomesticated land animals from "cattle." Its usage here, alongside "cattle," "creeping thing," and "fowl," underscores the comprehensive nature of the animal life preserved, encompassing all major categories of land-dwelling, air-breathing creatures.
From a root meaning "to glide swiftly" or "to crawl," this term refers to reptiles or any rapidly moving animal that moves low to the ground. Its inclusion ensures that even smaller, less prominent creatures were part of God's preservation plan, demonstrating the thoroughness of the divine command and the scope of Noah's obedience.
Verse Breakdown
"They, and every beast after his kind"
This clause initiates the comprehensive list, referring to Noah and his family ("They") and then immediately transitioning to the first major category of animals: wild, undomesticated land animals. The phrase "after his kind" immediately establishes the principle of distinct biological categories, meaning that various species of wild animals entered according to their specific, divinely ordained types.
"and all the cattle after their kind"
This specifies the inclusion of domesticated animals, distinct from the "beasts." "Cattle" (Hebrew: bᵉhêmâh) refers to larger quadrupeds, often those used by humans. Again, the phrase "after their kind" reinforces that these animals also entered in their distinct species, maintaining the integrity of their biological types.
"and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind"
This clause broadens the scope to include smaller, ground-dwelling creatures, such as reptiles and insects. The descriptive "that creepeth upon the earth" further clarifies the nature of these animals. The consistent repetition of "after his kind" underscores that even these numerous and diverse creatures adhered to the same principle of distinct biological categories.
"and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort"
This final clause encompasses all flying creatures. "Fowl" (Hebrew: ʻôwph) generally refers to birds or anything that flies. The addition of "every bird of every sort" (Hebrew: tsippôwr and kânâph) serves as an emphatic clarification, ensuring that all varieties of winged creatures, from large birds to small sparrows, were included, each according to its specific kind. This comprehensive phrasing leaves no doubt about the exhaustive nature of the animal collection.
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Genesis 7:14 is Repetition, specifically the recurring phrase "after his kind" (Hebrew: lemino). This phrase appears four times within this single verse, echoing its ten uses in Genesis 1. This insistent repetition serves to emphasize the divine order and the fixed boundaries God established for biological reproduction. It highlights that the animals entered the Ark not as a chaotic jumble, but in distinct, divinely ordained categories, preserving the original created order. Additionally, the verse employs Enumeration or Cataloging, systematically listing the different categories of animals ("beast," "cattle," "creeping thing," "fowl," "bird"). This detailed list underscores the comprehensive nature of the preservation effort and the monumental scope of Noah's task, leaving no ambiguity about the types of life God intended to save. The cumulative effect of these devices is to convey a sense of meticulous divine planning and execution, even in the midst of global judgment.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 7:14 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His creation and His absolute sovereignty over all life. The precise categorization of animals "after his kind" reinforces the biblical concept of distinct created "kinds" (Hebrew: min), emphasizing that while there is variation within these kinds, there are fixed boundaries that prevent inter-kind reproduction. This points to an intelligent design inherent in creation and God's commitment to preserving the integrity of His original creative acts. While the Flood represents divine judgment against human wickedness, the detailed preservation of life through the Ark demonstrates God's profound mercy and His commitment to the continuity of His creation, ensuring a future for life on Earth. Noah's faithful and precise obedience to God's seemingly impossible commands was the human instrument through which divine preservation was enacted, highlighting the vital role of obedience in God's redemptive plans.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 7:14 serves as a profound reminder of God's meticulous care for His creation and His sovereign control over all life. It powerfully illustrates the importance of obeying God's instructions precisely, even when they appear daunting or defy human logic. Just as God preserved life "after his kind" through a cataclysmic event, He demonstrates His unwavering ability to sustain and uphold His creation according to His divine order. This verse challenges us to consider the depth of God's wisdom in establishing boundaries and distinctions, not only in the natural world but also in spiritual and ethical realms. For believers today, this passage reinforces the truth that God's plans are detailed, His promises of preservation are reliable—whether in judgment or salvation—and it urges us to trust and faithfully follow His Word in every aspect of our lives, recognizing His enduring faithfulness and the comprehensive nature of His redemptive work.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "after his kind" imply about biological diversity?
The phrase "after his kind" (Hebrew: lemino) implies that God created distinct biological categories or "kinds" that reproduce only within their own boundaries. It suggests a fixed nature to these original creative acts, allowing for significant variation within a kind (e.g., different breeds of dogs, wolves, and coyotes all belong to the "dog kind") but not inter-kind reproduction (e.g., a dog and a cat cannot breed). This principle ensured the genetic integrity and diversity of life were preserved on the Ark without a merging of fundamental biological types. This concept is foundational to the biblical understanding of creation, emphasizing God's orderly design, as seen in Genesis 1.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Genesis 7:14 primarily details God's preservation of creation through Noah, it profoundly foreshadows Christ's ultimate role as the preserver and restorer of all things. Just as Noah's obedience secured the physical continuation of life for "every kind" of creature, Christ's perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, secures spiritual life and a new creation for humanity. He is the true "Ark" of salvation, through whom all who believe are preserved from spiritual judgment and brought into a new covenant, ensuring the continuation of God's people "after His kind"—those who are born again, bear His image, and are made new in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). The meticulous inclusion of every kind of animal points to the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive plan, which ultimately encompasses all creation in Christ (Colossians 1:19-20). He is the one who gathers His chosen people, preserving them through the storms of life and bringing them safely into the eternal kingdom, fulfilling God's ultimate plan of redemption for a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1-5).