Genesis 6:21
Genesis 6:21 in Multiple Translations
You are also to take for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and gather it as food for yourselves and for the animals.”
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
And make a store of every sort of food for yourself and them.
Take all kinds of food with you too. Store it so you and the animals will have enough to eat.”
And take thou with thee of all meate that is eaten: and thou shalt gather it to thee, that it may be meate for thee and for them.
'And thou, take to thyself of all food that is eaten; and thou hast gathered unto thyself, and it hath been to thee and to them for food.'
Take with you some of all food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself; and it will be for food for you, and for them.”
And take thou to thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
Thou shalt take unto thee of all food that may be eaten, and thou shalt lay it up with thee: and it shall be food for thee and them.
You must also take some of every kind of food that you and all these animals will need, and store it in the boat.”
And you have to gather up lots of food, all the sorts of food that people eat, and all the things that animals eat too. You have to put it all in the boat, so that you will all have enough food.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 6:21
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 6:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אַתָּ֣ה
קַח
לְ/ךָ֗
מִ/כָּל
מַֽאֲכָל֙
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
יֵֽאָכֵ֔ל
וְ/אָסַפְתָּ֖
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
וְ/הָיָ֥ה
לְ/ךָ֛
וְ/לָ/הֶ֖ם
לְ/אָכְלָֽה
וְ/אַתָּ֣ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
קַח
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
לְ/ךָ֗
Prep | Suff
מִ/כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
מַֽאֲכָל֙
maʼăkâl
H3978
food
N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יֵֽאָכֵ֔ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/אָסַפְתָּ֖
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-2ms
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
וְ/הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לְ/ךָ֛
Prep | Suff
וְ/לָ/הֶ֖ם
Conj | Prep | Suff
לְ/אָכְלָֽה
ʼoklâh
H402
food
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 6:21
וְ/אַתָּ֣ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
קַח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
לְ/ךָ֗
""
Prep | Suff
מִ/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.
מַֽאֲכָל֙
maʼăkâl
H3978
"food"
N-ms
This word means food or something to eat, like fruit or meat, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Genesis. It's about nourishment and survival.
Definition: food, fruit, meat
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: food, fruit, (bake-)meat(-s), victual. See also: Genesis 2:9; Job 33:20; Psalms 44:12.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יֵֽאָכֵ֔ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וְ/אָסַפְתָּ֖
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
אֵלֶ֑י/ךָ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
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.
וְ/הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
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.
לְ/ךָ֛
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/לָ/הֶ֖ם
""
Conj | Prep | Suff
לְ/אָכְלָֽה
ʼoklâh
H402
"food"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means food or something to eat, like in Psalm 78:25 where it describes manna from heaven. It can also mean being consumed by something, like fire or wild beasts. This word is used in many Old Testament stories.
Definition: 1) food 1a) food, eating 1b) object of devouring, consuming 1b1) by wild beasts (figurative) 1b2) in fire 1b3) of judgment (figurative)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: consume, devour, eat, food, meat. See also: Genesis 1:29; Ezekiel 15:6; Jeremiah 12:9.
Study Notes — Genesis 6:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 6:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 6:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 6:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 6:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
- Sermons on Genesis 6:21
Context — Preparing the Ark
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.”
22So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 1:29–30 | Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. |
| 2 | Psalms 145:16 | You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. |
| 3 | Psalms 136:25 | He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever. |
| 4 | Psalms 35:6 | May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues. |
| 5 | Psalms 104:27–28 | All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. |
| 6 | Job 40:20 | The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby. |
| 7 | Matthew 6:26 | Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? |
| 8 | Job 38:41 | Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food? |
| 9 | Psalms 147:9 | He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call. |
Genesis 6:21 Summary
[Genesis 6:21 shows us that God cares about our physical needs and wants us to be prepared for the challenges ahead, just like He instructed Noah to gather food for himself and the animals before the flood, as a demonstration of His provision and care, as seen in Genesis 6:21 and Matthew 6:26.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God instruct Noah to gather food for himself and the animals?
God instructed Noah to gather food to sustain them during their time in the ark, as seen in Genesis 6:21, to ensure their survival until the floodwaters receded and they could exit the ark, as promised in Genesis 8:14.
What kinds of food did Noah gather for himself and the animals?
The Bible doesn't specify the exact types of food Noah gathered, but it's likely he collected a variety of edible plants, fruits, and grains, as well as food for the animals, such as hay and grains, to keep them nourished during their time in the ark, in accordance with Genesis 6:21.
How did Noah know what foods to gather for the different animals?
Although the Bible doesn't explicitly state how Noah knew what foods to gather, it's possible that God provided him with the necessary knowledge, or that Noah, being a righteous man, as described in Genesis 6:9, used his understanding of the natural world to make informed decisions about the types of food to collect, as seen in Genesis 6:21.
Is this verse still relevant to us today?
Yes, Genesis 6:21 reminds us of God's provision and care for His creation, as seen in Psalm 104:14, and encourages us to be good stewards of the resources He has given us, as taught in Genesis 1:28 and 1 Timothy 4:4.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with humanity?
- How does Noah's obedience to God's instructions in this verse demonstrate his faith and trust in God's plan?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of provision and preparation seen in this verse to our own lives, trusting in God's sovereignty and care for us, as promised in Matthew 6:26 and Luke 12:7?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of caring for creation and being responsible stewards of the resources God has given us, as instructed in Genesis 1:28 and Psalm 24:1?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 6:21
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten,.... By man and beast; of which see Genesis 1:29 and thou shall gather [it] to thee; to lay up in the ark: and it shall be for food for thee, and for
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 6:21
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 6:21
See .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
Genesis 6:21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather [it] to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.Ver. 21. Take thou unto thee of all food.] God could have kept them alive without either food or ark. But he will have us serve his providence, in use of lawful means; and so to trust him, as that we do not tempt him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
(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 6:21
Verse 21. Of all food that is eaten] That is, of the food proper for every species of animals.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 6:21
21. of all food that is eaten] Presumably vegetables, cereals, and fruit. Cf. Genesis 1:29.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 6:21
21. All food — Noah had had abundant opportunity to lay in provisions for the animals before the signs of the catastrophe appeared. It was not till the last seven days that they began to enter the ark. Genesis 7:4; Genesis 7:10.
Sermons on Genesis 6:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Our Awesome God - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the profound wisdom and knowledge of God as revealed in Romans 11, emphasizing the intricate design and balance in creation that sustains life on Earth. It |
|
Health - What Does the Bible Say? by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the biblical perspective on health and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of stewardship over our bodies and the need to return to God's design for eatin |
|
We Should Be thankful... by Walter Wilson | In a sermon by Walter Wilson, he emphasizes the intricate design of the human body, pointing out how God's thoughtful creation includes joints with 'stoppers' to prevent overextens |
|
The Open Hand of God by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of observing a small duck swimming against a powerful stormy ocean. Through this observation, the speaker reflects on the d |
|
Grace and Providence by William Cowper | William Cowper preaches about the Almighty King whose wondrous hand upholds the weight of the sea and land, emphasizing His boundless grace that sustains and provides for His peopl |
|
Spring of Life by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the fulfillment of desires by God, emphasizing that every craving in the mind and wish of the heart is met and fulfilled by Him. She discusses t |
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Luke 12:22-34. Christ Warns His Disciples Against Worldly Carefulness. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the dangers of covetousness and the importance of trusting in God's provision, highlighting how both the rich and the poor can fall into the trap |