Genesis 6:19 (KJV)

What does Genesis 6:19 mean?

Genesis 6:19 says that Noah is to bring two of every kind of living creature, one male and one female, into the ark with him so they will survive the coming flood. This instruction is about preserving all types of animal life during the disaster God is about to send.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Noah, giving him specific directions as Noah prepares for the flood. The focus is on "every living thing of all flesh," meaning all animals, not just a select few. The requirement that they be "male and female" highlights the purpose: to ensure that each kind can continue and repopulate the earth after the flood.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 6:19

• "thing" (חַי H2416, ḥay): This word means "living thing" or "creature." It emphasizes that what is being preserved are living beings, not just species in an abstract sense.
• "flesh" (בָּשָׂר H1320, basar): This term often refers to living beings with physical bodies, underlining that the command includes all animals with flesh, not just domesticated or familiar ones.
• "ark" (תֵּבָה H8392, tevah): This word is used only for Noah's ark and the basket of baby Moses, suggesting a vessel of preservation and rescue.
• "alive" (חָיָה H2421, ḥayah): This verb means "to live" or "to keep alive," clarifying that the goal is not just to store animals but to ensure their survival through the flood.

Why Genesis 6:19 matters

• Genesis 6:19 clarifies that the preservation of animal life was intentional and organized, not random or accidental, showing the care taken in the story's details.
• The verse underscores the importance of both male and female animals, pointing to the need for future reproduction and the ongoing survival of each species.
• This instruction connects to the broader flood narrative, showing Noah's obedience and the thoroughness of God's plan to restart life after the flood.