Genesis 6:20 · Bible study
Genesis 6:20 Commentary: Study: God’s Order for Preserving All Creatures
Hebrew · 5 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does God list birds, livestock, and creeping things? This study explores the creation order, divine gathering, and God’s care for every creature.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God commands Noah to bring two of every kind of bird, livestock, and creeping thing into the ark to preserve them alive, with the assurance that God Himself will direct the animals to Noah.
- Key words: “after their kind” (lᵊmînēhû) emphasizes distinct species; “will come” (yābō’û) indicates divine initiative rather than human effort; “to keep them alive” (lᵊhaḥăyōt) means to sustain life for future flourishing.
- Main debate: Whether “beast of the earth” (wild animals) is intentionally omitted from the list or subsumed under “livestock.” The LXX adds them, but the MT does not.
- Theological theme: God’s complete preservation of creation as part of His covenant and renewal after judgment.
- Best use: Teaching about God’s care for all creatures, the echo of creation in the flood narrative, and the ark as a type of divine salvation.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Of the birds after their kind, of the livestock after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive.
KJV King James Version 1769
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Of the fowl after its kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort they come in unto thee, to keep alive.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Of fowl after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of each shall go in to thee, to keep [them] alive.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Of fowls according to their kind, and of beasts in their kind, and of every thing that creepeth on the earth according to its kind: two of every sort shall go in with thee, that they may live.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
De las aves según su especie, y de las bestias según su especie, de todo reptil de la tierra según su especie, dos de cada especie entrarán contigo para que hayan vida.
Das aves segundo sua espécie, e dos animais segundo sua espécie, de todo réptil da terra segundo sua espécie, dois de cada espécie entrarão contigo para que tenham vida.
Des oiseaux selon leur espèce, du bétail selon son espèce, et de tous les reptiles de la terre selon leur espèce, deux de chaque espèce viendront vers toi, pour que tu leur conserves la vie.
Von den Vögeln nach ihrer Art, von dem Vieh nach seiner Art und von allerlei Gewürm auf Erden nach seiner Art: von den allen soll je ein Paar zu dir hineingehen, daß sie leben bleiben.
Van het gevogelte naar zijn aard, en van het vee naar zijn aard, van al het kruipend gedierte des aardbodems naar zijn aard, twee van elk zullen tot u komen, om die in het leven te behouden.
Degli uccelli secondo le loro specie del bestiame secondo le sue specie, e di tutti i rettili della terra secondo le loro specie, due d’ogni specie verranno a te, perché tu li conservi in vita.
Z ptastwa według rodzaju jego, i z bydła według rodzaju jego, i z wszelkiej gadziny ziemskiej według rodzaju jej, po dwojgu z każdego rodzaju wnijdą z tobą, aby żywe zostały.
Из [всех] птиц по роду их, и из [всех] скотов по роду их, и из всех пресмыкающихся по земле по роду их, из всех по паре войдут к тебе, чтобы остались в живых [с тобою, мужеского пола и женского].
飛鳥 各從其類，牲畜 各從其類，地上的 昆蟲 各從其類，每樣 兩個，要到 你那裡，好保全生命。
Two of every sort of bird and cattle and of every sort of living thing which goes on the earth will you take with you to keep them from destruction.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Genesis 6:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Genesis 6:20 echoes the creation account in Genesis 1. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that the order of animals here, birds, then livestock, then creeping things, follows the same sequence as the fifth and sixth days of creation (Genesis 1:20-24). This is not accidental. God is re-presenting the created order in the command to preserve it. The Geneva Bible and Gill's Exposition both observe that the phrase "after their kind" reinforces the idea that each species will be kept distinct, ensuring the continuation of the original kinds.
On the gathering itself, Gill cites Jewish commentators Jarchi and Aben Ezra: the animals "shall come of themselves," directed by God's providence, just as they came to Adam in Genesis 2:19. Noah did not need to hunt or herd them. The provision is complete: birds that fill the sky, livestock that serve human life, and creeping things that move along the ground. Cambridge Bible notes that the only group from Genesis 1:24 not mentioned is "the beast of the earth" (wild animals); the LXX adds them in, perhaps because later in Genesis 7:8 they are included. The core point stands: God's care reaches every kind of creature that breathes, and He ensures each has a way to survive the coming judgment.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God commands Noah to bring two of every kind of bird, livestock, and creeping thing into the ark to preserve them alive, with the assurance that God Himself will direct the animals to Noah.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Animal categories in the command | Christians agree that the three categories, birds, livestock, creeping things, mirror the order of creation in Genesis 1 and show God’s intentional preservation of all land creatures. | A minor difference: some think “beast of the earth” (wild animals) is intentionally omitted, perhaps because they are included later in Genesis 7:8; others, following the LXX, argue they should be added to the list here. |
| How the animals are gathered | All agree that God himself directs the animals to Noah, they “come” by divine initiative, not by human hunting or herding. | Some Jewish traditions (Pirke Eliezer) describe angels leading each species; other commentators (Jarchi, Aben Ezra) say the animals come by instinct, as they came to Adam in Genesis 2:19. Both affirm God’s sovereignty. |
| The number of animals (two of every sort) | Christians agree that two of every kind (a male and female) are brought to preserve each species for repopulation after the flood. | A broader debate not specific to this verse but relevant: whether the two of every sort refers only to unclean animals, while clean animals require seven pairs (Genesis 7:2). That detail appears later, not in v.20, so some see v.20 as a general command later refined. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Genesis 6:20 sits within God's instructions to Noah about the ark. The flood account reworks the creation story. In Genesis 1, God speaks and creatures fill the earth. Here, God commands preservation so that after the flood, creatures can fill the earth again. The categories of birds, livestock, and creeping things directly recall the animals created on days five and six (Genesis 1:20-24). The Cambridge Bible notes that the phrase "every creeping thing of the ground after its kind" is lifted from Genesis 1:25, deliberately tying the two passages together.
The omission of "beast of the earth" (wild animals) has drawn comment. The Cambridge Bible suggests it may be intentional, though the LXX adds it. Possibly "livestock" in this context includes all large land animals, both domestic and wild, as some commentators have argued. Later, in Genesis 7:8, "everything that creeps on the ground" covers all types. The main point is that God ensures the survival of every air-breathing land creature.
The verb "will come" (יָבֹאוּ) is Qal imperfect, indicating an ongoing or future action that God himself orchestrates. Gill notes that ancient Jewish tradition (Pirke Eliezer) held that animals were led by angels; another tradition says they came by instinct, as they came to Adam in Genesis 2:19. Either way, Noah's role is to receive them and provide for their needs. The ark itself, as interpreters from the early church onward have seen, becomes a vessel of salvation, not just for one family, but for the entire web of life.
This careful preservation order, birds above, livestock in the middle, creeping things below, may also reflect the three-story structure of the ark described in verse 16. Gill mentions that some have thought the animals were disposed in the ark in the same order, with birds in the top story, cattle in the middle, and creeping things in the lowest. Whether or not that arrangement was literal, the text shows a God who thinks through every detail of His rescue plan.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note one significant textual variant. The Septuagint (LXX) adds the phrase “and of every wild beast” after “every creeping thing of the ground.” The Masoretic Text (MT) does not include this phrase. The Cambridge Bible notes that the MT reading is likely original, and the LXX addition may be an attempt to harmonize this verse with the list in Genesis 7:8, where “everything that creeps on the ground” is used inclusively. Most commentators follow the MT as the base text, understanding that “livestock” in the present context covers all large land animals, wild and domestic.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has served as a demonstration of God’s providential care for creation. Early church fathers like Augustine saw the ark as a type of the Church, with the gathering of animals symbolizing the inclusion of all peoples and nations in salvation. Medieval exegetes often read the ark as a model of ordered life, mirroring the harmony God intended for the world. Reformation commentators such as Matthew Henry focused on Noah’s obedient reception of God’s detailed commands, noting that God’s preservation plan extended to “the meanest creatures.” Jewish interpreters like Rashi emphasized that the animals came of their own accord, underscoring God’s control over nature. In modern usage, this verse is frequently cited as a biblical foundation for environmental stewardship, showing that God values the ongoing life of every species He created.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- God's order reflects creation. The sequence of birds, livestock, and creeping things mirrors Genesis 1. The God who created in categories now saves in categories. This shows that judgment and renewal are not random but patterned after God's original design.
- God provides the means. The animals "will come", Noah does not gather them. God takes the initiative, directing the creatures by His providence. This removes human striving and highlights divine grace: what God commands, He also enables.
- God's preservation is purposeful. The phrase "to keep them alive" (lᵊhaḥăyōt) means to sustain life so that it can flourish again. This is not mere survival; it is a plan for repopulation and renewal. God saves in order to restore.
Five-Point Outline
- Specificity in the command. God names each category, birds, livestock, creeping things. No creature is overlooked. His instructions show that He cares about the details.
- Connection to creation. The vocabulary and order recall Genesis 1, tying the flood narrative to the original creation. The ark becomes a microcosm of the world God made.
- Divine initiative. "Two of every sort will come to you" (v.20). The animals arrive without human effort. This points to God's sovereignty over nature and His active role in salvation.
- Inclusion of the small and overlooked. Creeping things, reptiles, insects, small ground animals, are included. God's rescue plan extends to creatures that humans often disregard.
- Covenant context. This preservation is part of the covenant God establishes with Noah (v.18). The gathering of animals is a sign that God will not abandon the earth after judgment; He will give it a fresh start.
Illustration Hooks
- A conservationist preparing an ark-like sanctuary for endangered species, trusting that the animals can be relocated safely. The effort requires every detail to be right.
- A parent packing a spare bag for each child before a hurricane evacuation, making sure each has what they need, down to the smallest item. God does the same for every creature.
- A librarian sorting books by category on shelves, reflecting an order that makes the collection usable. God's categories for the ark are not arbitrary; they reflect the order of creation itself.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Did Noah really fit two of every animal in the ark? (This verse doesn't answer the logistics directly, but commentators note the ark's size, 300 cubits long, was more than adequate for the number of animal kinds known at the time.)
- How do we know God cares about the environment from this verse? (God's command to preserve every kind shows that His concern extends beyond human beings to all living creatures.)
- Why are creeping things included? They seem unimportant. (Their inclusion shows that in God's eyes, no creature is too small to save. This can shape how we treat the vulnerable in our own world.)
Leading a Discussion
This verse sits inside God's detailed instructions for the ark. It may feel like a practical list, but it carries deep theological weight. God does not simply say "bring animals", He names them by category, ties them to creation, and takes responsibility for bringing them. Let these questions guide your group as you explore what this means for how we see God, creation, and our place in His preserving work.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think God mentions specific categories of animals, birds, livestock, creeping things, rather than giving a single blanket command?
- How does the order of animals here remind you of Genesis 1? What does that connection tell you about the flood? Is it only judgment, or something more?
- The text says the animals "will come" to Noah. What does this tell you about who does the work in this rescue mission, God or Noah? How does that change the way you understand obedience?
- Creeping things include insects, reptiles, and small ground animals. Why include them? What might that say about God's character and the scope of His care?
- In a world that often overlooks the small and powerless, how does this verse challenge or encourage you? Where do you see God preserving things that others ignore?
- How might this passage shape a Christian view of environmental stewardship? Does it give a basis for caring for animals and ecosystems, or does it point to something else?
- Think about Noah's role, he receives and shelters. Where in your own life are you called to receive what God brings, rather than trying to gather it yourself?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 1:20 | God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” |
| Genesis 1:24 | God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so. |
| Genesis 1:28 | God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” |
| Genesis 2:19 | Out of the ground Yahweh God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature became its name. |
| Genesis 7:8 | Clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground |
| Genesis 7:16 | Those who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; then Yahweh shut him in. |
| John 5:40 | Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life. |
| Acts 10:11 | He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary notes that the animals are listed in the same order as the creation account: first fowls
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasizes that God does not command Noah to go out and collect the animals himself. Instead, God declares that the creatures will come to Noah of their own accord, demonstrating God's sovereign control over all creation to ensure the ark is filled.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that the animals did not need to be captured or hunted; they came to Noah of their own accord, directed by God's providence. He also discusses various opinions on how the ark was arranged by stories and rooms to house the different kinds of creatures.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights the Hebrew term mabbul as a unique descriptor for this specific catastrophe, deriving it from roots meaning ruin or confusion rather than simple flow. This linguistic choice emphasizes that the flood was a sui generis event of total desolation and mingling, distinct from ordinary river floods. The word functions almost like a proper name to mark the unparalleled nature of divine judgment.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that God's favor toward Noah shows first in how the Holy Spirit repeats his name five times in five lines, taking delight in his memory. The greater grace appears in the detailed instructions and covenant promises God personally gives him, making Noah a partner in the plan of salvation.