Genesis 1:11

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

And God {H430} said {H559}, Let the earth {H776} bring forth {H1876} grass {H1877}, the herb {H6212} yielding {H2232} seed {H2233}, and the fruit {H6529} tree {H6086} yielding {H6213} fruit {H6529} after his kind {H4327}, whose {H834} seed {H2233} is in itself, upon the earth {H776}: and it was so.

God said, “Let the earth put forth grass, seed-producing plants, and fruit trees, each yielding its own kind of seed-bearing fruit, on the earth”; and that is how it was.

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so.

And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so.

Commentary

Genesis 1:11 marks a pivotal moment on the third day of creation, as God commands the earth to produce various forms of plant life. This verse highlights God's immediate and powerful command, laying the foundation for all vegetation on Earth.

Context

This verse occurs during the third day of creation. Immediately preceding this command, God had already separated the waters from the dry land, calling the dry land "Earth" and the gathered waters "Seas" (Genesis 1:9-10). With the dry land now visible, God proceeds to adorn it with vegetation. This act of creation provides the necessary foundation for the animal and human life that would be created later.

Key Themes

  • Divine Fiat and Power: The phrase "And God said" underscores the effortless and authoritative nature of God's creative power. His spoken word is sufficient to bring complex life forms into existence.
  • Order and Classification: The repeated phrase "after his kind" (Hebrew: lemino) is crucial. It signifies God's intention for distinct biological categories, ensuring that plants reproduce according to their specific type. This foundational principle of biological order is established here and reinforced throughout the creation account for all living things (Genesis 1:21, Genesis 1:24).
  • Self-Sustainability and Reproduction: The description "yielding seed" and "whose seed is in itself" emphasizes that God endowed plants with the ability to reproduce themselves, ensuring the perpetuation of life without constant divine intervention. This built-in mechanism demonstrates God's foresight and wisdom in designing a self-sustaining ecosystem.
  • Provision and Abundance: The creation of "grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit" ensures a rich and diverse food source, preparing the Earth for the sustenance of animals and humanity. This act of creation is a testament to God's generous provision for all living things (Genesis 1:29).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew text distinguishes between three main categories of vegetation: deshe (tender grass/vegetation), eseb zera (herb yielding seed), and ets pri (fruit tree yielding fruit). This progression from general ground cover to seed-bearing plants and then to fruit-bearing trees indicates a comprehensive and ordered development of plant life, each designed for specific purposes and with the inherent capacity for reproduction.

Practical Application

Genesis 1:11 invites us to marvel at the intricate design and incredible diversity of the plant kingdom, a direct result of God's creative word. It reminds us of God's foresight in establishing natural laws and reproductive cycles that sustain life on Earth. This verse also encourages us to be good stewards of the environment, appreciating the provision and beauty God has given us, and recognizing that all life, from the smallest blade of grass to the mightiest tree, testifies to His wisdom and power.

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

  • Psalms 104:14 (12 votes)

    He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

  • Psalms 104:17 (12 votes)

    Where the birds make their nests: [as for] the stork, the fir trees [are] her house.

  • Hebrews 6:7 (12 votes)

    For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

  • Psalms 147:8 (11 votes)

    Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

  • Genesis 1:29 (8 votes)

    ¶ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

  • Psalms 65:9 (8 votes)

    Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

  • Psalms 65:13 (8 votes)

    The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.