Genesis 9:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the fear of you {H4172} and the dread of you {H2844} shall be upon every beast {H2416} of the earth {H776}, and upon every fowl {H5775} of the air {H8064}, upon all that moveth {H7430} upon the earth {H127}, and upon all the fishes {H1709} of the sea {H3220}; into your hand {H3027} are they delivered {H5414}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The fear and dread of you will be upon every wild animal, every bird in the air, every creature populating the ground, and all the fish in the sea; they have been handed over to you.

Berean Standard Bible

The fear and dread of you will fall on every living creature on the earth, every bird of the air, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are delivered into your hand.

American Standard Version

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the heavens; with all wherewith the ground teemeth, and all the fishes of the sea, into your hand are they delivered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 9:2 stands as a foundational decree in the post-Flood world, articulating God's re-establishment of humanity's unique position within creation. Following the global deluge, God sovereignly ordains that an intrinsic "fear" and "dread" of humanity will reside within all living creatures—beasts of the earth, fowl of the air, all that move upon the earth, and all fishes of the sea. This divine act signifies the delivery of the animal kingdom "into your hand," thereby reaffirming human dominion and ensuring the capacity for humanity to thrive, manage, and sustain itself in the renewed earth, particularly as the consumption of meat is now permitted.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an immediate continuation of God's blessing and command to Noah and his sons in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's Blessing and Command to Noah"), which echoes the original creation mandate given to Adam and Eve in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Original Blessing and Command to Adam and Eve"). It serves as the divine basis for the subsequent permission to consume meat, explicitly stated in [Genesis 9:3](/genesis/9-3 "Permission to Eat Meat"), and implicitly sets the stage for the broader [Noahic Covenant](/genesis/9-9-17 "The Noahic Covenant") that God establishes with Noah and all living creatures. The instillation of fear is not merely a descriptive observation but a prescriptive divine act, necessary for human survival and the maintenance of order in a world now fundamentally altered by the Flood and the introduction of a carnivorous diet for humanity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The pre-Flood world, as depicted in [Genesis 1:29-30](/genesis/1-29-30 "Pre-Flood Diet"), suggests a primarily vegetarian diet for both humans and animals, and there is no explicit mention of animals fearing humans in the same way. The Flood, however, represents a cataclysmic disruption of the created order, leading to a more wild and potentially dangerous environment. In this post-Flood context, God's decree in Genesis 9:2 is a crucial divine intervention. It addresses the practical realities of human survival in a world where animals might otherwise pose a greater threat, especially as human population numbers would be small. This divinely imposed hierarchy ensures human safety and facilitates the new dietary provision, allowing humanity to subdue and utilize animals for sustenance, clothing, and labor, reflecting a necessary adaptation for flourishing in the renewed earth.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 9:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully reasserts the theme of **human dominion** over creation, a mandate first given in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Original Blessing and Command to Adam and Eve") and later celebrated in [Psalm 8:6-8](/psalm/8-6-8 "Man's Dominion Over Creation"). Secondly, it highlights **divine providence and care**, demonstrating God's active involvement in ordering creation for the benefit and safety of humanity after the chaos of the Flood. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **covenant**, as this decree is an integral part of the initial stipulations of the Noahic Covenant, establishing a stable relationship between humanity, animals, and God. Finally, while not explicitly stated, the shift in human-animal dynamics and diet implicitly points to the **consequences of the Fall** ([Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity")), which introduced disorder, death, and a greater wildness into the created order, necessitating such a divine reordering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 9:2 details a fundamental reordering of creation's hierarchy following the global Flood, a direct and sovereign declaration from God. The verse states, "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." This is not a natural evolutionary development but a specific divine decree, ensuring humanity's safety and capacity to thrive.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _môwrâʼ_):** This word (H4172) derives from a root meaning "to fear" or "to be afraid." It denotes a profound, instinctive terror, awe, or dread. In this context, it signifies a divinely instilled psychological barrier, an innate apprehension or reverence that animals will have toward humans. This is more than simple caution; it is a fundamental reorientation of the animal kingdom's disposition, ensuring that humanity, though physically weaker than many large creatures, is not overwhelmed or constantly threatened by them.
* **Dread (Hebrew, _chath_):** The term (H2844) is closely related to "fear" and often used synonymously, emphasizing the crushing or dismaying effect of terror. It implies a sense of being broken or dismayed, a profound and unsettling apprehension. The pairing of "fear" and "dread" creates a powerful emphasis on the depth and universality of this divinely imposed instinct, ensuring humanity's safety and preeminence over the animal kingdom.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd_):** This primitive word (H3027) refers to the open hand, often used figuratively to denote power, means, direction, control, or possession. When the text states "into your hand are they delivered," it signifies that the animals are placed under human authority and control. This is a direct gift from God, a re-affirmation of the dominion first granted to Adam, emphasizing that humanity's authority is not self-derived but divinely delegated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"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;":** This clause describes the universal scope of God's decree. The double emphasis on "fear" and "dread" highlights the intensity and divine origin of this instinctive apprehension in animals towards humans. The comprehensive list—beasts, fowl, moving creatures, and fish—underscores that this reordering applies to the entirety of the animal kingdom, ensuring human safety and supremacy across all domains of creation. It signifies a profound shift from the pre-Flood relationship, establishing a new, stable order.
* **"into your hand are they delivered.":** This concluding phrase reveals the purpose and outcome of the instilled fear and dread. The verb "delivered" (Hebrew, _nâthan_, H5414) means "to give," "to place," or "to put." It signifies a divine act of transfer of authority and provision. The animals are not merely afraid but are actively placed under human dominion and control. This "delivery into hand" explicitly grants humanity the right and ability to manage, utilize, and, as the subsequent verse clarifies, consume animals for sustenance, ensuring humanity's ability to flourish in the post-Flood world.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Divine Decree** is central, as the passage presents God's direct and authoritative pronouncement ("shall be upon," "are they delivered"), emphasizing the sovereign nature of this reordering. The comprehensive listing of animal categories ("every beast of the earth," "every fowl of the air," "all that moveth upon the earth," "all the fishes of the sea") functions as a **Merism**, encompassing the totality of the animal kingdom, thereby underscoring the universal scope of this decree. This exhaustive enumeration ensures that no creature is outside the purview of this divinely ordained relationship. Furthermore, the pairing of "fear" and "dread" serves as a **Hendiadys** (two words expressing a single idea more emphatically), intensifying the description of the animals' instinctive response to humanity. This combination highlights the depth and pervasive nature of the animals' apprehension.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 9:2 is a pivotal theological statement that re-establishes humanity's unique role in creation following the Flood. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to humanity's flourishing by divinely reordering the natural world. This verse reaffirms the concept of human dominion, not as a license for exploitation, but as a delegated authority from the Creator, essential for survival and the maintenance of order. The instilling of fear and the "delivery" of animals into human hands demonstrate God's ongoing providence, ensuring humanity's provision and safety in a world now marked by a different dynamic between species. This divine act is foundational to the new covenantal relationship established with Noah, setting the stage for human responsibility in stewarding creation.

* [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Original Blessing and Command to Adam and Eve"): This verse directly echoes the initial mandate given to Adam and Eve, re-establishing humanity's dominion over creation after the Flood.
* [Psalm 8:6-8](/psalm/8-6-8 "Man's Dominion Over Creation"): The psalmist celebrates humanity's exalted position, reiterating the theme of dominion over all of God's handiwork, including the animal kingdom, which finds its practical basis in Genesis 9:2.
* [Hosea 2:18](/hosea/2-18 "Covenant with Animals"): While Genesis 9:2 establishes human dominion, Hosea 2:18 looks forward to a future eschatological peace where a covenant is made with the beasts, birds, and creeping things, hinting at a restoration of harmony that transcends the fear established in Genesis 9:2.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 9:2 offers profound insights into our identity and responsibilities as human beings. It reminds us that our authority over the animal kingdom is not self-derived but a divine gift, a re-establishment of the original mandate. This gift ensures our safety and provision, allowing us to interact with and utilize creation for our sustenance and flourishing. However, this dominion is fundamentally a call to responsible stewardship. The phrase "into your hand are they delivered" implies a sacred trust, not a license for reckless exploitation or cruelty. We are called to manage God's creation with wisdom, compassion, and respect, recognizing that animals are integral parts of His intricate design, worthy of care. In a world where environmental concerns and animal welfare are increasingly debated, this verse grounds our discussions in a theological framework: we are managers, not absolute owners, accountable to the Creator for how we exercise our delegated authority. Our relationship with the animal kingdom should reflect God's own order and care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's decree in Genesis 9:2 shape your view of humanity's unique place in creation?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge or affirm your current understanding of human responsibility toward animals?**
* **Given that animals are "delivered into our hand," what practical steps can we take to exercise responsible and compassionate stewardship over creation in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**Why did God need to instill fear in animals after the Flood?**

Answer: Before the Flood, the biblical narrative suggests a different human-animal dynamic, possibly one of greater harmony, with humanity's diet being vegetarian ([Genesis 1:29-30](/genesis/1-29-30 "Pre-Flood Diet")). After the Flood, the world was fundamentally altered, and God permitted the consumption of meat ([Genesis 9:3](/genesis/9-3 "Permission to Eat Meat")). Instilling "fear" and "dread" in animals was a divine act of reordering creation to ensure human safety and survival in this new context. It prevented animals from overwhelming the small human population, facilitated the new dietary arrangement, and re-established human dominion in a world that had become wilder and more dangerous due to the consequences of the Fall and the global catastrophe. This divine intervention was crucial for humanity's ability to thrive and manage the earth.

**Does human dominion mean we can do whatever we want with animals?**

Answer: No. While Genesis 9:2 grants humanity significant dominion and authority over the animal kingdom, this is always understood within the broader biblical context of stewardship and accountability. The phrase "into your hand are they delivered" implies a trust and a responsibility, not an absolute right to exploit. Just as Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden "to work it and keep it" ([Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Stewardship in Eden")), humanity's dominion is to be exercised with care, wisdom, and respect for God's creation. Our authority is delegated by God, and we are accountable to Him for how we manage His world. This means avoiding cruelty, promoting conservation, and using animal resources responsibly for legitimate human needs, reflecting God's own character of order and care.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 9:2 speaks of humanity's delegated dominion over creation, this authority ultimately finds its perfect expression and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the pre-existent Word through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Christ as Creator and Sustainer")), Christ holds inherent and ultimate dominion over all creation, not merely a delegated one. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated this authority, calming raging storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")), multiplying loaves and fish to feed multitudes ([Matthew 14:19-21](/matthew/14-19-21 "Feeding of the Five Thousand")), and even commanding fish to provide tribute money ([Matthew 17:27](/matthew/17-27 "The Temple Tax")). His redemptive work on the cross not only reconciles humanity to God but also initiates the restoration of all creation, which groans under the weight of sin ([Romans 8:21-22](/romans/8-21-22 "Creation Groans for Redemption")). In Christ, the broken harmony between humanity and the animal kingdom, disrupted by the Fall and reordered in Genesis 9:2, will one day be fully realized under His righteous and peaceful reign, as prophetically envisioned in passages like [Isaiah 11:6-9](/isaiah/11-6-9 "The Peaceable Kingdom"), where the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and a child shall lead them.

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.

James 3:7

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

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.

Ezekiel 34:25

And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

Job 5:22

At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Job 5:23

For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.