Genesis 7:14

They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

They {H1992}, and every beast {H2416} after his kind {H4327}, and all the cattle {H929} after their kind {H4327}, and every creeping thing {H7431} that creepeth {H7430} upon the earth {H776} after his kind {H4327}, and every fowl {H5775} after his kind {H4327}, every bird {H6833} of every sort {H3671}.

they, and every animal of every species, all the livestock of every species, every animal that creeps on the ground of every species, and every bird of every species — all sorts of winged creatures.

they and every kind of wild animal, livestock, crawling creature, bird, and winged creature.

they, and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort.

Commentary

Genesis 7:14 describes the diverse array of animals entering Noah's Ark, meticulously categorizing them "after his kind." This verse is a crucial part of the biblical account of the Great Flood, highlighting both God's precise instructions and the comprehensive nature of His judgment and preservation.

Context

This verse immediately follows the command for Noah and his family to enter the Ark (Genesis 7:13) and sets the stage for the deluge. It emphasizes the fulfillment of God's earlier directive to Noah in Genesis 6:19-20, where he was instructed to bring two of every living thing, male and female, into the Ark to keep them alive. The detailed listing of animal types—beasts, cattle, creeping things, and fowl—underscores the immense task Noah undertook and the global scope of the impending divine judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Creation: The repeated phrase "after his kind" (Hebrew: lemino) is central. It echoes the language of creation in Genesis 1, affirming God's design for distinct, reproducing biological categories. This principle ensured the genetic integrity and diversity of life was preserved, not a merging of species.
  • Comprehensive Preservation: The verse lists "every beast," "all the cattle," "every creeping thing," and "every fowl," indicating that all major classifications of land-dwelling, air-breathing animals were represented. This demonstrates God's commitment to preserving a remnant of His creation despite the widespread corruption that led to the Flood.
  • Noah's Obedience: The entry of these animals, exactly as commanded, highlights Noah's unwavering faith and obedience. He diligently followed every instruction from God, which is a recurring theme in the Flood narrative (e.g., Genesis 6:22). This act of obedience was vital for the preservation of life on Earth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "after his kind" (Hebrew: lemino) is crucial for understanding the biblical view of biological diversity. It appears ten times in Genesis 1 concerning creation and is repeated multiple times in the Flood account (e.g., Genesis 7:15). This term signifies distinct groups capable of reproducing only within their own boundaries, emphasizing the fixed nature of God's original creative acts and the separate lineages preserved on the Ark.

Practical Application

Genesis 7:14 reminds us of God's meticulous care for creation and His sovereign control over all life. It also serves as a powerful testament to the importance of obeying God's instructions precisely, even when they seem daunting or defy human logic. Just as God preserved life "after his kind" through a cataclysmic event, He demonstrates His ability to sustain and uphold His creation according to His divine order. For believers today, it reinforces the truth that God's plans are detailed and His promises of preservation are reliable, whether in judgment or salvation, urging us to trust and follow His Word.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 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.
← Back