Genesis 6:19
Genesis 6:19 in Multiple Translations
And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you.
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
And you will take with you into the ark two of every sort of living thing, and keep them safe with you; they will be male and female.
Take a pair, male and female, of every kind of animal into the ark and make sure you keep them alive.
And of euery liuing thing, of all flesh two of euery sort shalt thou cause to come into the Arke, to keepe them aliue with thee: they shalbe male and female.
and of all that liveth, of all flesh, two of every [sort] thou dost bring in unto the ark, to keep alive with thee; male and female are they.
Of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ship, to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee: they shall be male and female.
And of every living creature of all flesh, thou shalt bring two of a sort into the ark, that they may live with thee: of the male sex, and the female.
And I want to save some of all kinds of creatures. So you must also bring two of all living creatures, a male and a female, into the boat with you, so that their species also may remain alive.
And you have to bring lots of animals into that boat too. Every sort of animal that is on the earth has to go into that boat, so that they will stay alive in the big flood. Get one male and one female of each sort of those animals, and take them into the boat with you. You see, you have to keep those animals alive.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 6:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 6:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מִ/כָּל
הָ֠/חַי
מִֽ/כָּל
בָּשָׂ֞ר
שְׁנַ֧יִם
מִ/כֹּ֛ל
תָּבִ֥יא
אֶל
הַ/תֵּבָ֖ה
לְ/הַחֲיֹ֣ת
אִתָּ֑/ךְ
זָכָ֥ר
וּ/נְקֵבָ֖ה
יִֽהְיֽוּ
וּ/מִ/כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | Prep | N-ms
הָ֠/חַי
chay
H2416
alive
Art | Adj
מִֽ/כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
בָּשָׂ֞ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
שְׁנַ֧יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
מִ/כֹּ֛ל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
תָּבִ֥יא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הַ/תֵּבָ֖ה
têbâh
H8392
ark
Art | N-fs
לְ/הַחֲיֹ֣ת
châyâh
H2421
to live
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
אִתָּ֑/ךְ
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
זָכָ֥ר
zâkâr
H2145
male
Adj
וּ/נְקֵבָ֖ה
nᵉqêbâh
H5347
female
Conj | N-fs
יִֽהְיֽוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 6:19
וּ/מִ/כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הָ֠/חַי
chay
H2416
"alive"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
מִֽ/כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בָּשָׂ֞ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
שְׁנַ֧יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
מִ/כֹּ֛ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
תָּבִ֥יא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַ/תֵּבָ֖ה
têbâh
H8392
"ark"
Art | N-fs
The word tebáh means ark, like the vessel Noah built or the basket that held Moses as a baby. It is often translated as ark in the Bible.
Definition: 1) ark 1a) vessel which Noah built 1b) basket vessel in which Moses was placed
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: ark. See also: Genesis 6:14; Genesis 7:23; Exodus 2:5.
לְ/הַחֲיֹ֣ת
châyâh
H2421
"to live"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.
אִתָּ֑/ךְ
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
זָכָ֥ר
zâkâr
H2145
"male"
Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
וּ/נְקֵבָ֖ה
nᵉqêbâh
H5347
"female"
Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word means female, referring to a woman, girl, or female animal. It is used in various books, including Genesis and Leviticus, to describe the female sex.
Definition: 1) female 1a) woman, female child 1b) female animal
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: female. See also: Genesis 1:27; Leviticus 12:5; Jeremiah 31:22.
יִֽהְיֽוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
Study Notes — Genesis 6:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 6:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 6:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 6:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 6:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
- Sermons on Genesis 6:19
Context — Preparing the Ark
17And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish.
18But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
19And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you.
20Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive. 21You are also to take for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and gather it as food for yourselves and for the animals.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 7:15–16 | They came to Noah to enter the ark, two by two of every creature with the breath of life. And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in. |
| 2 | Genesis 7:8–9 | The clean and unclean animals, the birds, and everything that crawls along the ground came to Noah to enter the ark, two by two, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. |
| 3 | Genesis 8:17 | Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.” |
| 4 | Psalms 36:6 | Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast. |
| 5 | Genesis 7:2–3 | You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate; a pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate; and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to preserve their offspring on the face of all the earth. |
Genesis 6:19 Summary
In Genesis 6:19, God tells Noah to bring two of every living creature into the ark so they can stay alive with him. This shows us that God cares about all of His creation, not just people. By saving the animals, God is preserving the beauty and wonder of the world He made, as seen in Genesis 1:25, where God creates the animals and sees that they are good. This reminds us that we are called to be good stewards of the earth and all its creatures, just like God is, as seen in Genesis 1:28 where God gives humanity dominion over the earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God instruct Noah to bring two of every living creature into the ark?
God instructed Noah to bring two of every living creature into the ark to keep them alive with him, as stated in Genesis 6:19, in order to preserve the creation and restart the earth after the flood, as seen in Genesis 9:1-3 where God blesses Noah and his sons after the flood.
What is the significance of bringing male and female creatures into the ark?
The significance of bringing male and female creatures into the ark is to ensure the continuation of each species, as stated in Genesis 6:19, which reflects God's design for creation and His desire for it to be fruitful and multiply, as seen in Genesis 1:28.
How does this verse relate to God's covenant with Noah?
This verse is part of God's instruction to Noah as He establishes His covenant with him, as stated in Genesis 6:18, where God promises to save Noah and his family from the flood, and Genesis 6:19 provides the details of how this salvation will be accomplished.
What can we learn from God's attention to detail in saving the creatures?
God's attention to detail in saving the creatures, as seen in Genesis 6:19-21, teaches us about His care and provision for all of creation, and reminds us of His sovereignty and power, as stated in Psalm 104:24-30, where God's wisdom and care for creation are praised.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with creation?
- How does this verse relate to the bigger story of salvation and God's plan for humanity?
- What can we learn from Noah's obedience to God's instructions, and how can we apply that to our own lives?
- How does this verse encourage us to care for and steward the creation that God has given us?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of preserving and protecting the natural world?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 6:19
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark,.... That is, of fowls, cattle, and creeping things, as after explained; and two of each sort at least were to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 6:19
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
Of all flesh two; i.e. either, 1. By couples, or male and female; but this is mentioned as a distinct thing in the close of the verse. Or rather, 2. Two at least of every sort, even of the unclean; but of the clean more, as is noted .
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
(19-22) of every living thing of all flesh, two . . . —The vast size of the ark and the wide terms used of the animals to be collected into it, make it evident that Noah was to save not merely his domestic cattle, but many wild species of beasts, birds, and creeping things. But the terms are conditioned by the usual rules for the interpretation of the language of Holy Scripture, and by the internal necessities of the event itself. Thus the animals in the ark could not have been more in number than four men and four women could attend to Next, the terms exclude the carnivora (see also Note on Genesis 9:5). Not only was there no supply of animals taken on board to feed them, but half-tamed as they would have been by a year’s sojourn in the ark, they would have remained in Noah’s neighbourhood, and very soon have destroyed all the cattle which had been saved, especially as far and wide no other living creatures would have existed for their food. But if miracles are to be invoked to obviate these and similar difficulties. not only would it have been easier to save Noah and the denizens of the ark by one display of supernatural power, but the ark was the means provided by God for this purpose; and if He wrought thus far by human instrumentality, in accordance with the usual law of the Divine working on earth, to help out the human means employed by repeated acts of omnipotence would have been to proclaim it as insufficient. It does not follow from this that no special providence watched over and guided the ark; such providence is often exercised now, but it works through and in accordance with the ordinary laws by which God governs the world.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
Verse 19. To keep them alive] God might have destroyed all the animal creation, and created others to occupy the new world, but he chose rather to preserve those already created. The Creator and Preserver of the universe does nothing but what is essentially necessary to be done. Nothing should be wantonly wasted; nor should power or skill be lavished where no necessity exists; and yet it required more means and economy to preserve the old than to have created new ones. Such respect has God to the work of his hands, that nothing but what is essential to the credit of his justice and holiness shall ever induce him to destroy any thing he has made.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 6:19
19. two of every sort] Observe that here one pair of every kind of living creature is to be brought into the ark. “Male and female,” as in Genesis 1:27 (P). A different phrase is used in Genesis 7:2 (J), where see note.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 6:19
19. Two of every sort — From this statement, repeated in the next verse, as well as from that made in Genesis 7:15-16, it would be understood that only a pair of the animals were to be preserved; but
Sermons on Genesis 6:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 6:17-22 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Noah and the flood from the Bible. He emphasizes that Noah did not have to go out and hunt the animals for the ark, but rather th |
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Ye Must Be Born Again by Alan Bartley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being born again and coming to God. He warns that those who are not saved will be destroyed and face the judgment of the l |
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The Most Asked Questions on Genesis Answered by Ken Ham | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding creationism and the reliability of the book of Genesis. It addresses common questions like the origin of races, the flood, an |
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Of the Justice or Righteousness of God. by John Gill | John Gill expounds on the justice and righteousness of God, emphasizing that these attributes are essential and inherent to His nature. He argues that God's righteousness is acknow |
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The Hill Country of the Soul by John Henry Jowett | John Henry Jowett preaches about the importance of seeking inspiration and guidance from the hills in our lives, representing the big things that give meaning to the monotony of ou |
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Wherein the Bible Differs From All Other Books by R.A. Torrey | R.A. Torrey emphasizes the unparalleled uniqueness of the Bible, asserting that it stands alone in its depth and accuracy compared to all other books. He argues that the Bible's pr |
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Genesis 7:1-24 by John Calvin | John Calvin preaches about the obedience and faith of Noah amidst the impending destruction of the world by a great flood. Noah, a righteous man in a corrupt generation, diligently |