Genesis 9:10

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Genesis 9:10 is a pivotal verse detailing the broad scope of God's post-flood covenant. It emphasizes that the divine promise extends not only to humanity but also to every living creature on Earth, ensuring the continuity of life after the great deluge.

Context

This verse follows God's declaration in Genesis 9:9 that He is establishing His covenant with Noah and his descendants. Genesis 9:10 then clarifies the comprehensive nature of this covenant, including all animals that emerged from the ark. This divine promise, sealed with the sign of the rainbow, guarantees that a global flood will never again destroy all life on Earth, as stated in Genesis 9:11.

Key Themes

  • Universality of God's Covenant: The covenant is not exclusive to humans but embraces all life, demonstrating God's sovereign care over His entire creation.
  • God's Faithfulness and Mercy: Despite humanity's sin that led to the flood, God extends mercy and a promise of preservation to all living things.
  • Continuity of Life: This verse assures the ongoing existence of diverse life forms on Earth, a testament to God's sustaining power.
  • Stewardship: While not explicitly stated here, God's care for all creatures implicitly reinforces humanity's responsibility as stewards of creation, a theme introduced in Genesis 1:28.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "living creature" translates from the Hebrew nephesh chayyah (נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה). This term, used throughout Genesis (e.g., in the creation accounts), signifies a creature possessing a 'soul' or 'life breath'. Its inclusion here underscores that animals are not merely biological machines but are ensouled beings with inherent value in God's eyes, worthy of being included in His covenant.

Practical Application

Genesis 9:10 reminds us of God's profound love and care for all His creation, not just humanity. It calls believers to recognize the inherent value of animals and the natural world. This understanding should motivate us to be responsible and compassionate stewards of the environment, reflecting God's own heart for His world. It also reinforces the reliability of God's promises; if He is faithful to a covenant with all creation, He is certainly faithful to His promises to His people.

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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 8:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • Job 38:1 (2 votes)

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

  • Job 38:41 (2 votes)

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

  • Psalms 36:5 (2 votes)

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

  • Psalms 36:6 (2 votes)

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

  • Jonah 4:11 (2 votes)

    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?