Genesis 6:20

Genesis 6:20, in plain English

Two of every kind of bird, animal, and crawling creature will come to Noah to be kept alive with him through the flood.

Why it's here

Interestingly, the animals will 'come to' Noah—this isn't presented as Noah hunting them down, but as God directing them to the ark. There's something almost miraculous about this: animals that would normally flee or fight will be drawn to the ark. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to orchestrate this rescue at every level. Noah's job is to receive them and care for them.

Who's speaking

God, completing the vision of what will be preserved

Where it sits in the story

This final instruction completes the picture of salvation. God has a plan that involves Noah's obedience, his family's faith, the ark's construction, and the cooperation of all creation. Everything is woven together in God's design to preserve what matters and to give the world a fresh start.

The scholarly reading

God clarifies that representatives of every bird species, land animal, and creeping creature will come to Noah for preservation, ensuring comprehensive biological salvage.

Language and setting

The phrase 'will come to you' (יָבוֹא אֵלֶיךָ, yavo elekha) employs divine passive construction—God brings the creatures; Noah receives them. This formulation absolves Noah of impossible omniscience regarding species identification: God orchestrates collection. The categorization—'every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature' (מִכָּל־הָעוֹף לְמִינוֹ וּמִכָּל־הַבְּהֵמָה לְמִינָהּ מִכָּל־הָרֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה, mi-kol-ha-of le-minow u-mi-kol-ha-behemah le-minha mi-kol-ha-remesh ha-adamah)—reflects ancient Near Eastern zoological taxonomy: birds, domesticable animals, and reptiles/creeping things. The Septuagint adds 'to be kept alive' (δίαζ, diazōsa), making explicit the teleology: specimens are preserved not for exhibition but for post-Flood restoration. This verse concludes the covenant inauguration and transitions toward narrative execution.

Voice

God (Elohim), completing specification of biological preservation

Significance

This verse culminates God's comprehensive plan: human redemption through covenant, household salvation through the righteous man, and creation's restoration through biological preservation—establishing the Flood as cosmic re-creation rather than mere punishment.

18But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.

19And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you.

20Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive.

21You are also to take for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and gather it as food for yourselves and for the animals.”

22So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.

Read all of Genesis 6 — Violence fills the earth. God grieves over what humanity has become — and one man finds grace.