Genesis 1:11

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 1:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, [and] fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, [and] fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so.
Genesis 1:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, [and] fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And God said, let the earth bring forth grass, etc.] Which had been impregnated by the Spirit of God that moved upon it when a fluid; and though now become dry land, it retained sufficient moisture in it, and was juicy and fit to produce vegetables; and especially as it had the advantage of the expanded air about it, and the warmth of the primordial light or fire; though all this would have been insufficient to produce plants and trees at full growth, with their seed in them, and fruit on them, without the interposition of almighty power: this seems to intend the germination or budding out of the tender grass, and the numerous spires of it which cover the earth, and by their verdure and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“let the earth bring forth--The bare soil was clothed with verdure, and it is noticeable that the trees, plants, and grasses--the three great divisions of the vegetable kingdom here mentioned--were not called into existence in the same way as the light and the air; they were made to grow, and they grew as they do still out of the ground--not, however, by the slow process of vegetation, but through the divine power, without rain, dew, or any process of labor--sprouting up and flourishing in a single day.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- V. The Third Day 9. קוה qāvâh “turn, bind, gather, expect.” יבשׁה yabāshâh “the dry, the ground.” יבשׁ yabēsh, “be dry.” בושׁ bôsh, “be abashed.” 11. דשׁא deshe', “green thing, grass.” עשׂב ‛ēśāb, “herb.” זרע zēra‛, “seed.” זרע zāra‛, “sow,” sero. פרי perı̂y, “fruit.” ברה pārâh, “bear”; φέρω pherō. The work of creation on this day is evidently twofold, - the distribution of land and water, and the creation of plants. The former part of it is completed, named, reviewed, and approved before the latter is commenced. All that has been done before this, indeed, is preparatory to the introduction of the vegetable kingdom. This may be regarded as the first stage of the present…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Let the: Gen 2:5; Job 28:5; Psa 104:14-17, Psa 147:8; Mat 6:30; Heb 6:7 grass: Heb. tender grass fruit: Gen 1:29, Gen 2:9, Gen 2:16; Psa 1:3; Jer 17:8; Mat 3:10, Mat 7:16-20; Mar 4:28; Luk 6:43, Luk 6:44; Jam 3:12 Genesis 1:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification