Genesis 6:21

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.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God addresses Noah during the ark’s construction, issuing this command immediately after ordering him to gather two of every animal kind for preservation.

The words — The Hebrew קַח־ (kach-) means "take," and מַֽאֲכָל (ma.'a.Khal) translates literally to "food," specifying the active collection of edible provisions.

The thread — The directive parallels God’s initial grant of edible plants in Genesis 1:29 and aligns with the Psalms’ testimony that Yahweh provides sustenance for every creature in Psalms 136:25 and 145:16.

Why it lands — The text records a concrete logistical command to gather and store edible matter for human and animal survival, requiring Noah to execute practical preparation rather than mere ritual compliance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְאַתָּ֣הve./'a.Tahand/ you קַח־kach-takeלְךָ֗le./Khafor <the>/ yourselfמִכָּל־mi./kolsome of/ all מַֽאֲכָל֙ma.'a.Khalfood אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sherwhich יֵֽאָכֵ֔לye.'a.Khel<it> is eaten וְאָסַפְתָּ֖ve./'a.saf.Taand/ you will gather [it]אֵלֶ֑יךָ'e.Lei./khato/ yourself וְהָיָ֥הve./ha.Yahand/ it will becomeלְךָ֛le./Khafor/ youוְלָהֶ֖םve./la./Hemand/ for <the>/ themלְאָכְלָֽה׃le./'okh.Lah<into>/ food

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Genesis 1:29 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.
Psalms 136:25 He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever.
Psalms 145:16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Job 38:41 Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?
Job 40:20 The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
Psalms 35:6 May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.
Psalms 104:27 All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season.
Psalms 147:9 He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.
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?