Genesis 8:19

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 8:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, whatsoever moveth upon the earth, after their families, went forth out of the ark.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, whatsoever moveth upon the earth, after their families, went forth out of the ark.
Genesis 8:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, whatsoever moveth upon the earth, after their families, went forth out of the ark.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, [and] whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, etc.] All went out, not one was left, and they went out after their kind; not in a confused disorderly manner, mixing with one another; but as they went in by pairs, male and female of every sort, so they came forth in like manner, or, “according to their families” f472; by which it seems as if the creatures did breed in the ark, and had their families of young ones; and which is the sense of some in Aben Ezra, and he himself thinks it not foreign, though he interprets it as we do, and as the Greek version does, “after their kind”: thus they went forth out of the ark; everyone with his mate, in order…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- XXVII. The Ark Was Evacuated 19. משׁפחה mı̂shpāchah, “kind, clan, family.” שׁפחה shı̂pchâh, “maid-servant; related: spread.” 20. מזבח mı̂zbēach, “altar; related: slay animals, sacrifice.” 21. עלה 'olâh, “whole burnt-offering.” That which goes up. “Step; related: go up.” Genesis 8:15-19 The command to leave the ark is given and obeyed. As Noah did not enter, so neither does he leave the ark, without divine direction. “The fowl, the cattle, and the creeper.” Here, again, these three classes are specified under the general head of every living tiring. They are again to multiply on the earth. “Every living thing.” This evidently takes the place of the cattle mentioned before. “After their…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“kinds: Heb. families, Gen 8:19 Genesis 8:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification