Genesis 2:19 kjv

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

Genesis 2:19 nkjv

Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

Genesis 2:19 niv

Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

Genesis 2:19 esv

Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

Genesis 2:19 nlt

So the LORD God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one.

Genesis 2 verses

Genesis 2 19 Meaning

Genesis 2:19 details the Lord God's action of forming all the land animals and birds from the ground and bringing them to the man, Adam. The purpose of this divine presentation was for Adam to name each creature, thereby establishing his dominion and demonstrating his perceptive intellect. This act highlighted Adam's unique position and delegated authority within creation, as the names he bestowed upon the living creatures were ratified and stood.

Genesis 2 19 Context

Genesis chapter 2 provides a more detailed, anthropocentric account of creation, focusing on the Lord God's direct relationship with humanity. It elaborates on the creation of man, the setting of the Garden of Eden, the establishment of the first divine command, and the origin of fellowship and companionship. Verse 19 specifically forms a crucial interlude within this narrative, following the creation of man and the garden, and preceding the explicit realization that "it is not good for the man to be alone" (Gen 2:18). This moment of naming serves as a divine activity to prepare Adam for the deeper relational need that God intends to address with the creation of woman. Historically, this account sets Israelite belief apart from contemporary Ancient Near Eastern cosmogonies, where chaotic forces often predated order and humanity's purpose was merely to serve the gods. In contrast, Genesis presents a singular, purposeful God who creates with wisdom, order, and entrusts humanity with significant stewardship.

Genesis 2 19 Word analysis

• "Now the Lord God": In Hebrew, Yahweh Elohim (יהוה אֱלֹהִים). Yahweh emphasizes God's personal, covenantal nature and His relationship with humanity, while Elohim refers to God's power as the majestic Creator. The combined name highlights both the intimate and sovereign aspects of God acting in this verse.
• "had formed": The Hebrew verb yatsar (יָצַר). This term suggests deliberate, skilled shaping, similar to a potter forming clay. It implies purpose and artistry in God's creation of animals, akin to how He "formed" man from the dust (Gen 2:7). This word emphasizes intentionality in God's work.
• "out of the ground": Min ha'adamah (מִן־הָאֲדָמָה). This signifies that animals share a common earthly origin with humanity (adam formed from adamah). It reinforces the physical connection between all earthly living creatures but also sets humanity apart in terms of divine image and spiritual capacity.
• "all the wild animals": Kol chaiyat hassadeh (כָּל־חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה). Refers to all living creatures of the field, generally indicating land beasts as distinct from domestic animals (though some could be tamed) or creeping things. This comprehensive phrasing emphasizes the wide array of creatures presented.
• "and all the birds in the sky": V'kol oph hashamaim (וְכָל־עוֹף הַשָּׁמָֽיִם). Literally, "and every winged creature of the heavens." Together with "wild animals," this covers the primary categories of living beings distinct from fish and insects (though implicitly suggesting dominion over all).
• "He brought them to the man": Vayeviem el ha'adam (וַיְבִאֵם אֶל־הָאָדָם). This demonstrates God's active involvement and benevolent initiative. God did not wait for Adam to discover or hunt, but personally presented His creation to humanity, facilitating Adam's exercise of dominion. This action also suggests a divine orchestration for Adam's contemplation.
• "to see what he would name them": Lir'ot mah yiqra lo (לִרְאוֹת מַה־יִּקְרָא־לוֹ). "To see" is not indicative of God's ignorance, but rather God creating an opportunity for Adam to exercise his divinely endowed intellect and authority. It was an experiential test or process for Adam to discern the nature of each animal and for Adam himself to perceive his distinct identity and need.
• "and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name": U'lchol asher yiqra lo ha'adam nefesh chayah hu shemo (וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָא־לוֹ הָאָדָם נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה ה֣וּא שְׁמוֹ). The Hebrew nephesh chayah (נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה) means "living creature" or "breathing being," denoting animated life. This phrase powerfully conveys Adam's divinely sanctioned authority. Naming in ancient cultures often implied mastery, understanding, and ownership over the named object. Adam's naming was not arbitrary but effective and divinely validated.

Genesis 2 19 Words-group analysis

• "The Lord God had formed... and He brought them to the man": This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and benevolent provision. God creates and then actively brings His creation to humanity, not as passive objects, but as subjects for Adam's active engagement and dominion. It reveals God's delight in involving His creation in His ongoing ordering of the world.
• "to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called... that was its name": This signifies God's delegated authority to Adam and His trust in human intelligence. It underlines Adam's unique position as God's vice-regent, capable of discerning the characteristics of creatures and assigning names that carried inherent significance and divine approval. This entire process also served as a prelude to Gen 2:20, where Adam's survey of all living creatures leads to the crucial realization that "for Adam no suitable helper was found." The act of naming, therefore, prepared him for recognizing his singular relational need.

Genesis 2 19 Bonus section

• The deliberate portrayal of God forming animals out of the ground after forming man from the same source but before breathing life into man is often interpreted as a literary technique to demonstrate shared earthly origins but reinforce humanity's distinctiveness and superiority through the subsequent divine breath and mandate.
• This verse can be seen as an implicit polemic against pagan creation myths where animals might be deified or chaotic forces ruled. Here, animals are clearly depicted as subordinate creations, subject to human naming and dominion, by the singular, all-powerful Lord God.
• The repetitive phrase "he brought them to the man" and the confirmation of the naming "that was its name" emphasize God's approval and participation in humanity's dominion, reinforcing that humanity's authority is delegated and upheld by the divine.
• The extensive naming task suggests Adam had a perfect intellect and communication capacity, unhindered by sin, which would be capable of discerning the essence of each animal to assign it a fitting designation.

Genesis 2 19 Commentary

Genesis 2:19 is a profound verse that encapsulates several theological truths regarding God's character, humanity's role, and the nature of creation. The Lord God, in His infinite wisdom and benevolent intent, actively shaped the animal kingdom from the earth and then personally presented these creatures to the man He had formed. This "bringing" is a testament to divine care and initiative, underscoring that man's dominion over creation is a gift from God, not a self-assumed right.

Adam's task of naming was far more than a linguistic exercise. In the ancient world, naming implied deep understanding, authority, and ownership. By granting Adam this prerogative, God effectively transferred a significant aspect of ordering creation to humanity. Adam's ability to observe, categorize, and meaningfully name creatures demonstrated his superior intelligence and his distinct nature as God's image-bearer, possessing discernment beyond mere instinct. The divine ratification—"whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name"—underscores the weight and authority God placed upon Adam's pronouncements.

Crucially, this comprehensive act of naming also served as a pedagogical tool. As Adam meticulously examined each animal to assign a fitting name, he concurrently experienced their distinct characteristics and, more importantly, recognized their unsuitability as a "helper fit for him" (Gen 2:20). Thus, this seemingly simple act of naming ultimately paved the way for God's creation of woman, highlighting humanity's inherent need for relational partnership distinct from the animal kingdom. The verse reminds us of God's purposeful design, humanity's unique stewardship responsibilities, and God's sovereign hand in revealing our deepest needs.

• Example for Practical Usage: Recognizing Adam's role in naming creation encourages us to thoughtfully engage with and appreciate the world God has made. It inspires careful stewardship of resources and discernment in classifying and understanding phenomena. It also highlights that understanding God's design can lead to realizing our relational needs, just as Adam's experience led to the need for a helper.