Genesis 1:24

Authorized King James Version

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
And God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#3
תּוֹצֵ֨א
bring forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#4
אֶ֖רֶץ
Let the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#5
נֶ֤פֶשׁ
creature
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#6
וְחַֽיְתוֹ
and beast
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#7
לְמִינָ֑הּ
after his kind
a sort, i.e., species
#8
בְּהֵמָ֥ה
cattle
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
#9
וָרֶ֛מֶשׂ
and creeping thing
a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal
#10
וְחַֽיְתוֹ
and beast
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#11
אֶ֖רֶץ
Let the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#12
לְמִינָ֑הּ
after his kind
a sort, i.e., species
#13
וַֽיְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#14
כֵֽן׃
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

Analysis

Within the broader context of Genesis, this passage highlights creation and providence through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Genesis's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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