Genesis 6:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Creatures of all types—birds, livestock, and crawling things—will come to Noah.
The Context of Genesis 6:20
The specific kinds of animals to be brought aboard.
What Does Genesis 6:20 Mean?
The classification is explicit: fowls (birds), cattle (domestic or herd animals), every creeping thing (small animals, insects, reptiles). Each is preserved 'after his kind'—maintaining the created categories and distinctions. The phrase 'two of every sort shall come unto thee' suggests divine action: God will bring the creatures to Noah, not that Noah must hunt them down. This is not a task of human power but of divine provision.
The scope encompasses the full zoological diversity: what flies, what walks on four legs, what crawls. The preservation is of kinds, not individuals—one breeding pair preserves the type. This restoration of animal creation parallels the restoration of human community through Noah's family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 6:20
What does Genesis 6:20 mean?
Creatures of all types—birds, livestock, and crawling things—will come to Noah.
What is the context of Genesis 6:20?
The specific kinds of animals to be brought aboard.