Genesis 7:14 kjv

They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.

Genesis 7:14 nkjv

they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort.

Genesis 7:14 niv

They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings.

Genesis 7:14 esv

they and every beast, according to its kind, and all the livestock according to their kinds, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, according to its kind, and every bird, according to its kind, every winged creature.

Genesis 7:14 nlt

With them in the boat were pairs of every kind of animal ? domestic and wild, large and small ? along with birds of every kind.

Genesis 7 verses

Genesis 7 14 Meaning

Genesis 7:14 describes the comprehensive and diverse collection of animals entering Noah's Ark, emphasizing that every classification of land animal and flying creature was represented "after his kind." This verse highlights God's meticulous command for the preservation of all life types He created, showcasing divine sovereignty, detailed orchestration, and Noah's precise obedience to God's instructions to ensure the survival of each unique animal "kind."

Genesis 7 14 Context

Genesis 7:14 is nestled within the narrative describing the final moments before the deluge. Immediately preceding this verse, Genesis 7:13 recounts Noah, his family, and all the animals entering the Ark on the very same day. Verse 14 provides a more detailed enumeration of the animal categories, reiterating the exactness with which God's command from chapter 6 was fulfilled. This serves to emphasize the sheer diversity and multitude of creatures preserved, underscoring the magnitude of Noah's task and God's precise plan. Historically, this account stands in stark contrast to other Ancient Near Eastern flood narratives (e.g., Epic of Gilgamesh, Atrahasis), where the flood is often capricious and the survival chaotic. Genesis presents a divinely ordered, morally justified judgment and a meticulously executed salvation, with a clear focus on the preservation of distinct biological "kinds" according to God's creational design.

Genesis 7 14 Word analysis

• They: הֵמָּה (hema). This pronoun collectively refers back to Noah and his family mentioned in the preceding verse (Gen 7:13). It sets the stage for the entry, emphasizing the human occupants along with the animals.
• and every beast: וְכָל־הַחַיָּה (vechol-hachayyah). "Beast" (חַיָּה - ḥayyah) generally refers to wild land animals, as distinct from domesticated cattle. The inclusion highlights the comprehensive nature of the collection—not just common farm animals.
• after his kind: לְמִינָהּ (leminah). This phrase is highly significant. Min (מִין) is the Hebrew term for "kind," denoting a divinely established biological category. It implies distinct, reproductively isolated groups established by God at creation (Gen 1). The repetition throughout this verse emphasizes that specific, fixed boundaries existed, preventing inter-kind breeding and preserving the integrity of creation. It is a polemic against ancient evolutionary ideas or the chaotic merging of life forms.
• and all the cattle: וְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה (vechol-habehemah). "Cattle" (בְּהֵמָה - behemah) refers to domesticated or hoofed animals. This includes clean and unclean animals previously commanded (Gen 7:2).
• after their kind: לְמִינָהּ (leminah). See above. Reinforces the principle of "kinds" for cattle as well.
• and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth: וְכָל־הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל־הָאָרֶץ (vechol-haremets haromes al-ha'aretz). "Creeping thing" (רֶמֶשׂ - remes) refers to small, often numerous, crawling or swarming creatures. The descriptor "that creepeth upon the earth" emphasizes terrestrial distinction. This demonstrates the completeness of God's preservation, down to even the smallest land-bound creatures.
• after his kind: לְמִינֵהוּ (leminayhu). See above. Further reiterates the concept of distinct kinds, applying it to small crawling creatures.
• and every fowl: וְכָל־הָעוֹף (vechol-ha'oph). "Fowl" (עוֹף - oph) encompasses all flying creatures, primarily birds, but potentially winged insects or bats (though specific definitions vary in ancient texts).
• after his kind: לְמִינֵהוּ (leminayhu). See above. Consistent application of "kind" to aerial creatures.
• every bird of every sort: כָּל־צִפּוֹר כָּל־כָּנָף (kol-tsippor kol-kanaph). This is a strong emphatic phrase: "every bird, every winged [thing]." "Bird" (צִפּוֹר - tsippor) is a general term for birds, and "wing" (כָּנָף - kanaph) is a synecdoche for all winged creatures. The repetition of "every" (כָּל - kol) here, along with the distinct classifications, provides an extensive and exhaustive list, stressing the full scope of preservation.

Genesis 7 14 Bonus section

• Rhetorical Device: The repetition of "after his kind" throughout the verse is a prominent anaphora, serving as a powerful rhetorical device to emphasize the order, completeness, and specificity of God's instruction and Noah's execution. It signals that every category, according to God's design, was included.
• Scientific Implication of "Kind": The Hebrew min ("kind") is understood by many biblical scholars to be a broader biological classification than the modern "species" but narrower than "family" or "order." It refers to a grouping from which all existing species within that kind could have descended, allowing for natural variation, hybridization, and speciation within the created boundary. This clarifies how thousands of modern animal species could have originated from a relatively smaller number of initial "kinds" on the Ark.
• The Ark as a "Living Museum": This verse highlights the Ark's role not just as a refuge for individuals, but as a preservation vessel for genetic information representing all land animal "kinds" that God created.
• Echoes in the New Testament: The meticulous recording of animal entries into the Ark finds an echo in Jesus' parables about preparation for judgment (Matt 24, Lk 17), where timely and obedient entry into God's provision is key to salvation from impending doom.

Genesis 7 14 Commentary

Genesis 7:14 acts as a concise but profound theological statement, affirming the meticulous nature of God's command and Noah's precise obedience. The verse moves from general categories to increasingly specific details ("beast," "cattle," "creeping thing," "fowl," then emphasizing "every bird of every sort"), signifying the sheer, overwhelming diversity of life gathered. The consistent repetition of "after his kind" (לְמִינָהּ - leminah) is not merely a literary device; it's a foundational theological and biological declaration. It highlights God as the Creator who designed distinct, viable, and reproducible biological categories, directly contrasting ancient notions of chaotic or arbitrary biological development. This Divine order of "kinds" would remain fundamental throughout Scripture, appearing in creation accounts (Gen 1), commands for bringing animals into the ark (Gen 6), and even in dietary laws (Lev 11). The verse, therefore, is not just a descriptive list but a profound testament to God's precise control over creation, His detailed plan for salvation, and the comprehensive scope of life He intended to preserve through the impending global judgment.