Genesis 7:8 kjv

Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

Genesis 7:8 nkjv

Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth,

Genesis 7:8 niv

Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground,

Genesis 7:8 esv

Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground,

Genesis 7:8 nlt

With them were all the various kinds of animals ? those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not ? along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground.

Genesis 7 verses

Genesis 7 8 Meaning

Genesis 7:8 describes the specific categories of animals that divinely arrived at Noah to enter the ark before the Flood. It specifies that both "clean" and "unclean" animals, birds, and all creatures that crawl on the earth presented themselves for preservation, indicating God's sovereign control over creation and the comprehensive nature of the coming judgment and salvation.

Genesis 7 8 Context

Genesis chapter 7 narrates the actual entry of Noah, his family, and the animals into the ark, preceding the commencement of the global flood. Verses 7:1-5 detail God's explicit command for Noah to enter the ark with his household and specifies the exact number of animals (seven pairs of clean, one pair of unclean, seven pairs of birds). Verse 7:8, therefore, functions as a direct confirmation and fulfillment of God's prior instructions (Gen 6:19-20; 7:2-3), emphasizing God's complete control and the spontaneous, divine orchestrated arrival of the diverse animal kingdom to Noah, rather than Noah having to hunt or gather them. The historical context is the immediate pre-Flood world, a time of widespread human corruption that led to God's decision to destroy all life from the earth, saving only Noah and representatives of the animal kingdom. The distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals, notably preceding the formal Mosaic Law by centuries, highlights an inherent moral or cultic categorization known to God and revealed to Noah for purposes of sacrifice (post-Flood, Gen 8:20) and a higher representation of the saved creation. This concept of ordered creation responding to a divine decree implicitly contrasts with chaotic, polytheistic beliefs where gods might struggle to control their creations.

Genesis 7 8 Word Analysis

• Of clean animals: (Hebrew: מִן־הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהֹרָה, min-ha-behemah ha-tehorah)
  • מִן־ (min-): "from" or "of," indicates origin or source.
  • הַבְּהֵמָה (ha-behemah): "the beast" or "the animal," refers to larger quadrupeds.
  • הַטְּהֹרָה (ha-tehorah): "the clean." This designation predates the detailed Mosaic laws (Lev 11). It suggests a distinction known to God and conveyed to Noah, likely related to their suitability for worship (sacrifice) or specific divine purposes rather than immediate human dietary restrictions. It foreshadows the sacrificial distinctions to be made after the Flood (Gen 8:20).
• and of animals that are not clean: (Hebrew: וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנָּה טְהֹרָה, u-min-ha-behemah asher einennah tehorah)
  • וּמִן־ (u-min-): "and from" or "and of."
  • אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנָּה (asher einennah): "which is not."
  • טְהֹרָה (tehorah): "clean." The negation creates "unclean." This contrast establishes two distinct categories essential for the ark's specific numbers and future sacrificial practices.
• and of birds: (Hebrew: וּמִן־הָעוֹף, u-min-ha-oph)
  • הָעוֹף (ha-oph): "the winged creature" or "the bird." This broadly covers all flying creatures.
• and of everything that creeps on the earth: (Hebrew: וּמִכֹּל רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה, u-mi-kol remes ha-adamah)
  • מִכֹּל (mi-kol): "from all" or "of every."
  • רֶמֶשׂ (remes): "creeping thing," "swarming thing," or "moving thing." This broad category often includes reptiles, amphibians, and sometimes smaller mammals, worms, and insects. It emphasizes the comprehensive scope of life to be preserved.
  • הָאֲדָמָה (ha-adamah): "of the earth." Specifies the habitat for these creatures.

Words-Group Analysis

• "Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean": This phrase directly references the crucial distinction previously given in Gen 7:2-3. It underlines the divine prerogative in classifying creation, not just for survival in the ark, but prefiguring the sacrificial system (clean animals for offerings) and later Israelite purity laws. Its inclusion emphasizes divine intentionality in preserving specific numbers for sacred purposes.
• "and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth": These phrases encompass a vast spectrum of terrestrial life. "Birds" are flying creatures, while "everything that creeps" captures land-dwelling creatures not easily categorized as "beasts" (large quadrupeds). Together with "animals" (beasts), these three categories—beasts, birds, and creeping things—represent a comprehensive biological classification within the ancient Hebrew worldview, affirming that representation from all major life forms would be preserved.
• (Implicit: "came"): While the verb "came" is explicitly stated in 7:9, it is implied as the action connecting these animals to Noah in verse 8. The spontaneous and divinely-orchestrated arrival of the animals (not Noah's active gathering) underscores God's supernatural power and direct involvement in the salvation process, fulfilling His command to Noah (Gen 6:20) and highlighting Noah's passive obedience.

Genesis 7 8 Bonus section

• The three broad categories of animals mentioned (beasts, birds, creeping things) are frequently used throughout the Old Testament to represent the full spectrum of animal life on the land and in the air (e.g., Ps 148:10). This confirms the all-encompassing nature of the preservation within the ark.
• The explicit distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals being made known to Noah before the Mosaic Law emphasizes that some moral or cultic distinctions existed prior to formal legislation. This concept highlights God's intrinsic holiness and the nature of some animals as inherently suited or unsuited for worship.
• The divine action of causing the animals to come to the ark, rather than Noah having to physically gather every single pair, minimizes Noah's human effort and maximizes divine agency, showcasing God's power over creation's instinct and will. This detail reinforces the supernatural character of the entire ark narrative.

Genesis 7 8 Commentary

Genesis 7:8 acts as a crucial bridge, illustrating the execution of God's specific command for populating the ark (Gen 7:2-3). It meticulously categorizes the animals into "clean," "unclean" (beasts), "birds," and "creeping things," highlighting the diversity of life preserved. This pre-Mosaic clean/unclean distinction points to a divine order and purpose, foreshadowing future sacrificial and dietary laws given to Israel. The primary significance is not human dietary rules at this stage but the immediate divine instruction for the ark's unique mission and post-Flood worship (Gen 8:20). The passive nature of their arrival—that the animals "came" to Noah—underscores God's sovereignty and providential orchestration. It demonstrates that the animals were not merely collected by Noah but were supernaturally drawn to the ark by divine will, emphasizing God's complete control over His creation, His judgment, and His grace in salvation. This comprehensive list shows that God desired to preserve a representative portion of all earthly life.