Genesis 1:11 kjv

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.

Genesis 1:11 nkjv

Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so.

Genesis 1:11 niv

Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

Genesis 1:11 esv

And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth." And it was so.

Genesis 1:11 nlt

Then God said, "Let the land sprout with vegetation ? every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And that is what happened.

Genesis 1 verses

Genesis 1 11 Meaning

Genesis 1:11 details God's command on the third day of creation for the land to produce vegetation. This command involves three specific types: general tender vegetation, seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees, all created to reproduce "according to their kind." This establishes the divine origin of plant life, its purpose for sustainability, and the fundamental principle of biological order and perpetuity, setting the stage for life to be sustained on Earth through its own reproductive capacity, dependent on God's foundational command.

Genesis 1 11 Context

Genesis 1:11 describes a pivotal act on the third day of creation. Before this, God had separated light from darkness (Day 1), then waters above from waters below, forming the expanse (Day 2). On Day 3, God further commanded the dry land to appear, separating it from the waters below. Once the land emerged, this verse immediately follows, specifying the first form of life to inhabit it: vegetation. This establishes the Earth as a hospitable place, preparing the environment and the food chain for animal life and humanity, who are created later. Historically and culturally, this account would have contrasted sharply with ancient Near Eastern creation myths that often depicted chaotic struggles among gods, with humans or life arising incidentally or as byproducts of divine conflict. Genesis presents an orderly, purposeful creation by a single, omnipotent God who speaks creation into existence and designs specific reproductive principles ("according to its kind") to maintain order, showing His sovereign control over nature rather than nature itself being a deity or chaotic force.

Genesis 1 11 Word analysis

• Then God said: (wa-yomer 'Elohim) This phrase highlights the immediate cause and absolute authority. Elohim (God) emphasizes the singular, majestic, powerful Creator. His speech is an effective command; He wills, and it is so.
• "Let the earth sprout: (Tadshē' hā'āreṣ) The verb Tadshē' implies that the earth is not a self-originating power, but an agent responding to God's command. It "sprouts" or "brings forth" what is within its potential by divine decree.
• vegetation, (deshe) This term refers to general, tender green growth—grass, herbs, common plants. It's a broad category for the ground cover.
• plants yielding seed ('esev mazria' zera') This phrase introduces a specific category of plants designed for self-propagation. 'esev denotes herbage or plants that are used by humans and animals, and mazria' zera' explicitly means "sowing seed" or "yielding seed," emphasizing their reproductive function.
• and fruit trees bearing fruit ('etz pərî 'ōseh pərî) This specifies another distinct category: trees ('etz) that produce edible fruit (pərî) for consumption, and this fruit itself contains the seed (zera'). This highlights both the reproductive cycle and the purpose of provision.
• each according to its kind (l'mînahu) This critical phrase, repeated often in Genesis 1, emphasizes divine order, biological distinctiveness, and the immutability of species. It denotes boundaries for reproduction, meaning living organisms will reproduce after their own specific biological category, preventing arbitrary mingling of kinds and ensuring the stability of created forms. This is a theological, not purely biological, statement, affirming distinct, fixed groupings designed by God.
• whose seed is in itself, ('ašer zar'ô-bô) This reinforces the self-perpetuating nature of the vegetation. The means of future reproduction is intrinsically contained within the plant or fruit itself, ensuring life continues without direct ongoing divine intervention for each new plant.
• on the earth. ('al-hā'āreṣ) Locates the entire process and life-sustaining function within the earthly realm, confirming its immediate presence and accessibility.
• and it was so. (wa-yəhî-ḵēn) This short phrase confirms the immediate and complete execution of God's command. There is no delay, no struggle; the earth obeys precisely. It highlights God's omnipotence and the perfect obedience of creation to its Maker.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit": This command distinguishes three primary categories of vegetation: general ground cover, herbaceous plants that reproduce by seed, and trees that produce fruit with seed. This tripartite classification is comprehensive for plant life and shows specific, orderly design for different functions and forms. It covers immediate growth (deshe) and future sustenance/propagation (esev mazria zera, etz pri oseh pri).
• "each according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth.": This is the defining biological principle laid out at creation. "According to its kind" (l'mino) is foundational for understanding biological classification in Genesis, signifying reproductive boundaries that maintain species identity. "Whose seed is in itself" underscores self-perpetuation, designing an ongoing, internally sustained biological system. Together, these phrases describe a perfectly engineered system for the growth and continuation of plant life.

Genesis 1 11 Bonus section

• The creation of plants on Day 3, before the sun (Day 4), demonstrates that God is the independent source of light and life, not contingent on existing celestial bodies. Plants are photosynthesizers, and this order implies God initially provided the necessary light and conditions for life to flourish, preparing for the specific role the sun would play later in the cosmic order.
• The progression from tender grass (deshe) to seed-bearing plants (esev mazria zera) to fruit trees (etz pri oseh pri) reflects an increasing complexity and duration of life cycles, illustrating a careful and deliberate process of equipping the earth for life support.
• The repetition of "according to its kind" (nine times in Gen 1, several more elsewhere in Scripture for animals) reinforces a concept of fixed boundaries for life forms, directly contrasting any notion of arbitrary transitions between distinct created categories. It is a polemic against evolutionary models where species gradually merge.
• This act of creation provides the foundational food source for all animal life and humanity (Gen 1:29-30), demonstrating God's meticulous care and preparation for His living creatures. It speaks of divine provision preceding need.

Genesis 1 11 Commentary

Genesis 1:11 profoundly establishes God's power, order, and providence. On the third day of creation, with the dry land newly emerged, God commands the earth, His subservient creation, to spring forth life. This command initiates the self-perpetuating cycle of vegetation through seed, demonstrating an intricate and foresightful design. The specific categories mentioned—general vegetation, seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees—show a graduated complexity and functional differentiation in God's botanical blueprint. The phrase "according to its kind" is central, defining a foundational biological law where distinct species reproduce consistently, showcasing God's design against chaos or arbitrary amalgamation. This fixed order reflects God's unchanging nature and His deliberate establishment of boundaries for life. Furthermore, the inclusion of "whose seed is in itself" speaks to divine self-sustainability embedded within the creation, preparing for an ongoing supply of food for subsequent life forms without requiring constant new commands for each new plant. This verse thus lays the groundwork for the Earth's biological productivity and its capacity to sustain life.