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.

GENESIS 6:21KJV
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Genesis 6:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 6:21 mean?

Genesis 6:21 tells Noah to gather every kind of food that can be eaten and store it for himself and the animals during the flood. This instruction is about practical preparation for survival, making sure that both Noah’s family and all the creatures on the ark will have enough to eat.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Noah as part of the detailed instructions for building the ark and preparing for the coming flood. The focus is on collecting and storing a variety of foods, not just for Noah and his family, but also for all the animals that will be with them. This shows careful planning and responsibility, emphasizing that God’s instructions cover both the construction of the ark and the daily needs of everyone on board.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 6:21

  • The word for "take" is לָקַח (laqach), which often means to take, get, or acquire. Here, it stresses Noah’s active role in gathering supplies, not just waiting for provision.
  • "Food" appears as מַאֲכָל (ma’akal) and אֹכֶל (ochel), both referring to what is eaten or edible. The use of both words highlights the importance of gathering a wide range of suitable foods, not just one type.
  • The word for "gather" is אָסַף (asaf), which means to collect or assemble. This implies Noah must intentionally bring together all the necessary provisions, not just rely on what is at hand.
  • "Eaten" is from the root אָכַל (akal), meaning to eat or consume. This clarifies that the food Noah is to gather must be suitable for eating, not just any kind of plant or material.

Why Genesis 6:21 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God only cared about building the ark; it shows God’s concern for the ongoing needs of both people and animals during the flood.
  • Genesis 6:21 highlights Noah’s responsibility to act on God’s instructions in practical, everyday ways, not just in big, dramatic actions.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that God’s instructions are detailed and thoughtful, covering every aspect of survival, not just the dramatic rescue itself.

Where else these words appear

“food” Hebrew H402 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
  • Leviticus 25:6 And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee,
  • Ezekiel 29:5 And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.

“food” Hebrew H3978 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
  • Isaiah 62:8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: