Genesis 1:29

¶ 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.

And God {H430} said {H559}, Behold {H2009}, I have given {H5414} you every herb {H6212} bearing {H2232} seed {H2233}, which is upon the face {H6440} of all the earth {H776}, and every tree {H6086}, in the which is the fruit {H6529} of a tree {H6086} yielding {H2232} seed {H2233}; to you it shall be {H1961} for meat {H402}.

Then God said, “Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit.

Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.

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

Commentary

Genesis 1:29 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical creation account, immediately following the creation of humanity. Here, God directly addresses Adam and Eve, providing for their sustenance and establishing the original dietary guidelines for mankind.

Context

This verse is part of the extensive narrative of creation in Genesis chapter 1, which culminates in the sixth day with the creation of man and woman in God's image. After blessing them and commissioning them to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28), God reveals the provision He has made for their food. This highlights God's meticulous care and planning for all His creation, ensuring that humanity's needs are met from the very beginning.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision: The verse powerfully illustrates God's role as the benevolent Provider. He doesn't just create; He also sustains. Every necessary resource for life is freely given, demonstrating His boundless generosity and care for His newly formed creation.
  • Original Diet: God specifies a vegetarian diet for humanity. This initial command indicates that humans were intended to subsist on "every herb bearing seed" and "every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed." This original blueprint for sustenance reflects a world in perfect harmony, untouched by sin and violence.
  • Stewardship (Implied): While the verse focuses on provision, the act of God "giving" implies a responsibility on humanity's part to receive, utilize, and care for these resources. This lays a foundational understanding for the concept of humanity's role as stewards of God's creation.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses the word "meat" in this verse. It is important to understand that in older English, "meat" (from Old English mete) referred broadly to food or sustenance of any kind, not exclusively to animal flesh as it does in modern English. The original Hebrew word used here is oklah (אׇכְלָה), which simply means "food" or "eating." Therefore, the verse specifies that plants, fruits, and seeds were given for humanity's "food." This distinction helps clarify the original dietary instruction given by God.

Related Scriptures

This original dietary instruction is significant because it contrasts with the change in diet after the Great Flood, where God permits the eating of animals (Genesis 9:3). The abundance of God's provision for all living things, including plants for human consumption, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, echoed in passages like Psalm 104:14, which speaks of God causing grass to grow for cattle and herb for the service of man.

Practical Application

Genesis 1:29 reminds us of God's unfailing goodness and His desire to provide for His creation. For contemporary readers, it fosters an attitude of gratitude for the natural resources and food sources available to us. It also encourages reflection on how we consume and manage the earth's bounty, aligning with the biblical call to responsible stewardship of creation. Ultimately, it points to a divine design where sustenance is a gift, intended to be received with thanksgiving and used wisely.

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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 9:3 (15 votes)

    Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

  • Psalms 145:15 (10 votes)

    The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

  • Psalms 145:16 (10 votes)

    Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

  • Psalms 104:14 (9 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 104:15 (9 votes)

    And wine [that] maketh glad the heart of man, [and] oil to make [his] face to shine, and bread [which] strengtheneth man's heart.

  • Psalms 104:27 (7 votes)

    These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season.

  • Psalms 104:28 (7 votes)

    [That] thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.