Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:30

What does Genesis 1:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:30 means

God also provided every green herb for food to all other living creatures: "every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life." This extends God's generous provision beyond humanity, establishing an original universal vegetarian diet for all animal life. This demonstrates God's comprehensive care for all His creation, ensuring that every living being is sustained by His hand. The phrase "and it was so" confirms the immediate establishment of this biological order.

Genesis 1:30 in context

Genesis 1 — The Six Days of Creation

The Bible opens not with an argument for the existence of God but with the announcement of his creative act. In six measured days God speaks the cosmos into being — light, sky, sea, land, plants, sun and moon, fish and birds, animals, and finally man and woman in his own image. Each act ends with the refrain, 'and God saw that it was good.' The chapter establishes God's sovereignty, the goodness of the material world, the dignity of humanity, and the rhythm of work and rest that will shape all of Scripture.

  • Creation ex nihilo
  • The image of God
  • The goodness of creation
  • Sabbath rhythm

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for food: and it was so.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for food: and it was so.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and every living thing moving on the face of the earth I have given every green plant for food: and it was so.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to every creeping thing on the earth, in which <FI>is<Fi> breath of life, every green herb <FI>is<Fi> for food:' and it is so.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to all beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to every animal of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth on the earth, in which is a living soul, every green herb for food. And it was so.

Context

Building on the provision of food for humanity in verse 29, this verse extends that same provision to all animals. It explicitly states that green herbs are given as food for all beasts, birds, and creeping things, defining an original universal vegetarian diet for all creatures. This universal provision highlights God's comprehensive care and benevolence, creating a harmonious ecosystem where all life is sustained by plant life, bringing the various elements of creation into perfect balance.

v.29And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food:

v.30This passage

v.31And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 39:4

    Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open field; They go forth, and return not again.

  • Job 38:39

    Canst thou hunt the prey for the lioness, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

  • Genesis 9:3

    Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; as the green herb have I given you all.

  • Job 40:15

    Behold now, behemoth, which I made as well as thee; He eateth grass as an ox.

  • Psalms 145:15

    The eyes of all wait for thee; And thou givest them their food in due season.

  • Psalms 104:14

    He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; That he may bring forth food out of the earth,

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:30

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Genesis 1:30 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:30 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:30 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:30 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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