Genesis 9:10

KJV

And with every living creature that [is] with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And with every living {H2416} creature {H5315} that is with you, of the fowl {H5775}, of the cattle {H929}, and of every beast {H2416} of the earth {H776} with you; from all that go out {H3318} of the ark {H8392}, to every beast {H2416} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and with every living creature that is with you — the birds, the livestock and every wild animal with you, all going out of the ark, every animal on earth.

Berean Standard Bible

and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth—every living thing that came out of the ark.

American Standard Version

and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that go out of the ark, even every beast of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 9:10 is a crucial verse within the post-Flood narrative, meticulously detailing the expansive scope of God's covenant with Noah. It underscores that this divine promise of preservation extends beyond humanity to encompass every living creature that emerged from the ark, thereby guaranteeing the enduring continuity and diversity of life on Earth after the catastrophic deluge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 9:10 flows directly from God's declaration in [Genesis 9:8-9](/genesis/9-8-9 "Genesis 9:8-9 - God's Covenant with Noah and His Offspring") that He is establishing His covenant with Noah, his descendants, and "every living creature." This verse then meticulously elaborates on the comprehensive nature of this covenant, specifying the diverse categories of animal life included. It sets the stage for the sign of the covenant, the rainbow, introduced in [Genesis 9:12-17](/genesis/9-12-17 "Genesis 9:12-17 - The Rainbow as a Sign of God's Covenant"), which serves as a perpetual reminder of God's promise never again to destroy all life by a global flood. The verse emphasizes the new beginning for creation after the judgment, highlighting God's commitment to life's continuity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, covenants (Hebrew: *berit*) were foundational to social and political order, typically agreements between two parties, often a suzerain (superior) and a vassal (inferior). However, the Noahic covenant is unique: it is initiated solely by God, is unconditional, and extends not only to humanity but to the entire created order. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty and His radical concern for all life, contrasting with human-centric views prevalent in many ancient cultures. The inclusion of animals in such a solemn divine oath would have been profoundly significant, underscoring their inherent value in God's eyes and setting a precedent for humanity's relationship with the natural world.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 9:10 richly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates God's **Divine Sovereignty and Grace**, as He unilaterally initiates this covenant of preservation despite humanity's recent wickedness that necessitated the Flood. Secondly, it establishes the **Cosmic Scope of God's Concern**, demonstrating that His redemptive and preserving work extends far beyond humanity to encompass all animate creation. This foreshadows a broader biblical truth that God's plan involves the entire cosmos, not just human beings. Thirdly, the verse assures the **Continuity and Stability of Creation**, guaranteeing that the natural order will persist, providing the necessary environment for life to flourish and God's redemptive plan to unfold, echoing the promise in [Genesis 8:21-22](/genesis/8-21-22 "Genesis 8:21-22 - God's Promise of Stable Seasons"). This also implicitly reinforces the theme of **Stewardship**, as humanity is entrusted with the care of a creation that God Himself values and preserves, a responsibility first articulated in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Cultural Mandate").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chay (Hebrew, _chay'_):** This word (H2416), translated as "living" or "beast" in the KJV, derives from a root meaning "to live" or "to be alive." It denotes vitality, animation, and life itself. In Genesis 9:10, when paired with *nephesh* to form "living creature," it emphasizes the inherent aliveness and dynamic existence of all the beings included in the covenant. It underscores that God's promise is for all that possesses the breath of life, from the smallest fowl to the largest beast.
* **nephesh (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** This term (H5315) is often translated as "creature," "soul," or "life." It properly refers to a "breathing creature" or "vitality." In the context of "living creature" (*nephesh chayyah*), it signifies an animate being that possesses breath and is capable of life functions. Its inclusion here highlights that animals are not mere automatons but are beings with inherent life and value in God's sight, making them worthy recipients of a divine covenant.
* **yâtsâʼ (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This verb (H3318), meaning "to go out" or "to come forth," describes the action of the animals emerging from the ark. It signifies the re-establishment of life on the earth from the preserved remnant. This word points to the active process of repopulation and the beginning of a new era for all life, directly linking the covenant's beneficiaries to those saved through the ark.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And with every living creature that [is] with you":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the expansive scope of God's covenant. It clarifies that Noah and his descendants are not the sole beneficiaries, but that the divine promise of preservation extends to all animate beings accompanying them. The phrase "living creature" (Hebrew: *nephesh chayyah*) emphasizes that this covenant is made with all beings possessing the breath of life, highlighting God's comprehensive concern for His creation.
* **"of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you":** This clause provides a specific, yet comprehensive, categorization of the animal kingdom included in the covenant. "Fowl" refers to birds, "cattle" to domesticated animals, and "every beast of the earth" to wild animals. This tripartite division serves as a merism, encompassing all major classes of animal life, ensuring that no type of creature is excluded from the covenant's protective reach. The repetition of "with you" further reinforces the shared destiny and inclusion alongside humanity.
* **"from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth":** This concluding phrase clarifies the origin and ultimate extent of the covenant's beneficiaries. "From all that go out of the ark" specifies that the covenant is primarily established with the progenitors of future animal life—those miraculously preserved through the deluge. "To every beast of the earth" then projects this promise forward, indicating that the covenant's protective scope applies to all their descendants, ensuring the continuity and diversity of animal life across the entire planet for all generations.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 9:10 employs several literary devices to emphasize the covenant's comprehensive nature. **Repetition** is prominent, with phrases like "with you" appearing multiple times, underscoring the shared experience and inclusion of all life alongside Noah. The phrase "every living creature" and "every beast of the earth" also repeat, creating a sense of **inclusio** that frames the verse and reinforces the universality of the covenant's reach. The listing of "fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth" functions as a **merism**, a rhetorical device where a totality is expressed by two contrasting parts or, in this case, a representative sampling of categories, implying the inclusion of all other types of animals. This comprehensive enumeration serves to eliminate any ambiguity regarding the covenant's broad application, highlighting God's meticulous care for all aspects of His creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 9:10 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation. It reveals a God whose covenantal faithfulness extends beyond His chosen people to encompass the entire created order, demonstrating His expansive grace and commitment to the preservation of life itself. This is not merely a covenant of non-destruction but an active promise to sustain the conditions necessary for life to flourish. It underscores that God values all His creation, not just humanity, and that His plan for redemption and preservation is cosmic in scope. The stability of the natural world, guaranteed by this covenant, provides the necessary stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive history, culminating in Christ.

* [Hosea 2:18](/hosea/2-18 "Hosea 2:18 - Covenant with Animals")
* [Psalm 36:6](/psalm/36-6 "Psalm 36:6 - God Preserves Man and Beast")
* [Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ's Supremacy Over Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 9:10 serves as a powerful reminder of God's profound love and meticulous care for all His creation, not solely for humanity. It challenges any anthropocentric worldview that devalues non-human life, calling us to recognize the inherent worth of animals and the natural world as direct beneficiaries of God's covenantal promises and objects of His divine concern. This understanding should inspire in us a deep sense of responsibility and compassion, motivating us to be diligent and ethical stewards of the environment and its inhabitants, reflecting God's own heart for His world. Furthermore, the unwavering reliability of God's promises in this universal covenant reinforces His absolute faithfulness; if He is faithful to a covenant with all creation, ensuring its continuity and stability, we can have absolute confidence in His faithfulness to His personal promises to His people, providing a foundation for trust and hope in every circumstance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's covenant with all living creatures challenge our anthropocentric views of creation?**
* **What practical implications does this verse have for our responsibility towards the environment and animal welfare today?**
* **In what ways does God's faithfulness to this universal covenant strengthen your trust in His promises to you personally?**

### FAQ
**Why did God extend the covenant to animals?**

Answer: God extended the covenant to animals to demonstrate the comprehensive nature of His mercy and commitment to the preservation of all life. The flood was a judgment on human wickedness, but its destructive power impacted all creatures. By including animals, God shows His sovereign care over the entire created order, ensuring the continuity of the ecosystem and the conditions necessary for human life and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. This highlights that God's concern for creation is holistic, encompassing all its parts, and that His promises are expansive, not confined to humanity alone.

**Does the term 'living creature' (nephesh chayyah) imply animals have souls like humans?**

Answer: The Hebrew term *nephesh chayyah* (נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה) literally means "living soul" or "living being" and is used for both humans and animals in Genesis (e.g., [Genesis 1:20-24](/genesis/1-20-24 "Genesis 1:20-24 - Creation of Living Creatures")). While it signifies that animals possess 'life breath' and are more than mere biological machines, it does not imply they have the same spiritual capacity, moral consciousness, or eternal destiny as humans, who are uniquely created in God's image ([Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26-27 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity Created in God's Image")). It primarily underscores their inherent value, vitality, and animacy in God's eyes, making them worthy of inclusion in His covenant of preservation.

**Is the Noahic covenant still active today?**

Answer: Yes, the Noahic covenant, as described in [Genesis 9](/genesis/9 "Genesis 9 - The Noahic Covenant"), is an unconditional and perpetual covenant. Its sign, the rainbow, continues to appear after rain, serving as a constant reminder of God's promise never again to destroy all life on Earth by a global flood. This covenant ensures the stability of the natural order—the regular cycles of seasons, day and night, and the preservation of life—providing the necessary framework for God's ongoing plan of salvation and human history. Its enduring nature is a testament to God's unchanging faithfulness and His commitment to His creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While the Noahic covenant in Genesis 9:10 is primarily a covenant of preservation for all creation, it finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. The stability and continuity of the created order, secured by this covenant, provided the necessary stage for God's redemptive plan to unfold, culminating in the incarnation, atoning death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ, as the eternal Word through whom all things were created and by whom "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things")), is the ultimate sustainer of creation. His new covenant, established through His blood, not only redeems humanity from sin but also promises the eventual cosmic restoration of all creation, which groans in anticipation of its liberation from the bondage of corruption and the revealing of the children of God ([Romans 8:19-23](/romans/8-19-23 "Romans 8:19-23 - Creation's Groaning and Hope")). Thus, the Noahic covenant's promise of physical preservation foreshadows Christ's comprehensive work of redemption, which extends to the entire cosmos, securing not just its continuity but its ultimate renewal and reconciliation to God in Him ([Ephesians 1:10](/ephesians/1-10 "Ephesians 1:10 - The Unification of All Things in Christ")).

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 8:1

¶ And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that [was] with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Psalms 145:9

The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works.

Job 38:1

¶ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Job 38:41

Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Psalms 36:5

¶ Thy mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; [and] thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the clouds.

Psalms 36:6

Thy righteousness [is] like the great mountains; thy judgments [are] a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

Jonah 4:11

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and [also] much cattle?