Genesis 1:30
New International Version
And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

New Living Translation
And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.

English Standard Version
And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Berean Standard Bible
And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Berean Literal Bible
and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything crawling upon the earth which has in it a living soul, every green plant for food.” And it was so.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so.

New American Standard Bible
and to every animal of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.

NASB 1995
and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so.

NASB 1977
and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.

Legacy Standard Bible
and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that creeps on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.

Amplified Bible
and to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that moves on the ground—to everything in which there is the breath of life—I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so [because He commanded it].

Berean Annotated Bible
And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food. And it was so.

Christian Standard Bible
for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth—everything having the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth—everything having the breath of life in it. I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
And I have given the green plants as food for everything else that breathes, including animals, both wild and tame, and birds. And so it was.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have given all green plants as food to every land animal, every bird in the sky, and every animal that crawls on the earth-every living, breathing animal." And so it was.

Good News Translation
but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food"--and it was done.

International Standard Version
I have given all green plants as food for every wild animal of the earth, every bird that flies, and to every living thing that crawls on the earth." And that is what happened.

NET Bible
And to all the animals of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." It was so.

New Heart English Bible
And to every wild animal of the earth, and to every tame animal of the earth, and to every flying creature of the sky, and to every creature that crawls on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green plant for food."

Webster's Bible Translation
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every animal that creepeth upon the earth, in which is life, I have given every green herb for food: and it was so.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

World English Bible
To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;” and it was so.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to every creeping thing on the earth, in which [is] breath of life, every green herb [is] for food”: and it is so.

Berean Literal Bible
and to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to everything crawling upon the earth which has in it a living soul, every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Young's Literal Translation
and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to every creeping thing on the earth, in which is breath of life, every green herb is for food:' and it is so.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to every living thing of the earth, and to all the birds of the heavens and to every thing creeping upon the earth, in which is a living soul, every green herb for food: and it shall be so.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And to all the 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and for all the animals of the land, and for all the flying things of the air, and for everything that moves upon the earth and in which there is a living soul, so that they may have these on which to feed.” And so it became.

New American Bible
and to all the wild animals, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the earth, I give all the green plants for food. And so it happened.

New Revised Standard Version
And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for food; and it was so.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And every animal of the wilderness and every bird of Heaven and for everything that swarms on the Earth that has in it the living soul and all green grass for food”, and it was so.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 a living soul, [I have given] every green herb for food.' And it was so.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And to all the wild beasts of the earth, and to all the flying creatures of heaven, and to every reptile creeping on the earth, which has in itself the breath of life, even every green plant for food; and it was so.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sixth Day
29Then 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. 30And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth— everything that has the breath of life in it— I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.…

Cross References
And to every beast of the earth

Psalm 147:9
He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.

Job 38:39-41
Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions / when they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in the thicket? / Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?

Psalm 50:10
for every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills.
and every bird of the air

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?

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!

Psalm 104:12
The birds of the air nest beside the springs; they sing among the branches.
and every creature that crawls upon the earth—

Genesis 7:23
And every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained.

Leviticus 11:42
Do not eat any creature that moves along the ground, whether it crawls on its belly or walks on four or more feet; for such creatures are detestable.

Psalm 104:25
Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small.
everything that has the breath of life in it—

Genesis 7:22
Of all that was on dry land, everything that had the breath of life in its nostrils died.

Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Ecclesiastes 3:19-20
For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.
I have given every green plant for food.”

Genesis 9:3
Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things.

Genesis 3:18
Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

Psalm 104:14
He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:
And it was so.

Psalm 33:9
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Genesis 9:3
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

Job 38:39-41
Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, …

Job 39:4,8,30
Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them…

life.

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Air Animal Beast Beasts Bird Birds Breath Creatures Creepeth Creeping Creeps Earth Face Food Fowl Green Ground Herb Life Meat Move Moves Moving Plant Sky Soul Wherein
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Air Animal Beast Beasts Bird Birds Breath Creatures Creepeth Creeping Creeps Earth Face Food Fowl Green Ground Herb Life Meat Move Moves Moving Plant Sky Soul Wherein
Genesis 1
1. God creates heaven and earth;
3. the light;
6. the firmament;
9. separates the dry land;
14. forms the sun, moon, and stars;
20. fishes and fowls;
24. cattle, wild beasts, and creeping things;
26. creates man in his own image, blesses him;
29. grants the fruits of the earth for food.












And to every beast of the earth
This phrase indicates the inclusivity of God's provision, extending His care to all terrestrial animals. The term "beast" encompasses a wide range of creatures, from domesticated animals to wild beasts. This reflects the order and harmony intended in creation, where all creatures have their needs met. The dominion given to humans in Genesis 1:26-28 includes stewardship over these creatures, emphasizing responsibility and care.

and every bird of the air
Birds are often symbolic of freedom and transcendence, as they inhabit the skies. In biblical times, birds were seen as messengers and signs from God, as seen in the story of Noah's dove (Genesis 8:8-12). The inclusion of birds in this provision highlights the comprehensive nature of God's sustenance, ensuring that all forms of life are sustained.

and every creature that crawls upon the earth
This phrase covers all creeping things, including insects and reptiles. In the ancient Near East, these creatures were often seen as lowly or insignificant, yet God’s provision extends to them as well. This reflects the value God places on all life, regardless of human perception of worth.

everything that has the breath of life in it
The "breath of life" signifies the divine spark or life force given by God, distinguishing living beings from inanimate objects. This phrase connects to Genesis 2:7, where God breathes life into Adam, indicating that all living creatures share in this divine gift. It underscores the sanctity of life and the interconnectedness of all living beings under God's care.

I have given every green plant for food.
This statement establishes the original diet for all creatures, which was plant-based. It reflects a world without death or predation, aligning with the peace and harmony of Eden. This provision is later altered post-Fall and post-Flood (Genesis 9:3), but initially, it signifies a perfect creation where life is sustained without violence.

And it was so.
This phrase confirms the fulfillment of God's command, emphasizing His sovereignty and the effectiveness of His word. It echoes the repeated refrain throughout the creation account, underscoring the order and intentionality of God's creative acts. This assurance of God's provision and the establishment of His will is a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, affirming His faithfulness and authority.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The Creator who provides sustenance for all living creatures.

2. Beasts of the Earth
Refers to all land animals created by God.

3. Birds of the Air
Encompasses all avian creatures.

4. Creatures that Crawl
Includes all creeping things, such as insects and reptiles.

5. Creation Event
The context is the sixth day of creation, where God provides food for all living beings.
Teaching Points
Divine Provision
God is the ultimate provider, ensuring that all His creation has what it needs to survive.

Harmony in Creation
Initially, there was a harmonious relationship between all living beings, with a shared diet of plants.

Stewardship of Creation
As caretakers of God's creation, humans are called to respect and maintain the balance and provision God established.

Dependence on God
Recognizing that all sustenance comes from God should lead to a life of gratitude and trust in His provision.

Change and Adaptation
The shift in dietary laws post-flood shows God's adaptability in His provision, teaching us to trust His guidance through life's changes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 1:30?

2. How does Genesis 1:30 reflect God's provision for all living creatures?

3. What does "every green plant for food" reveal about God's creation order?

4. How does Genesis 1:30 connect with Matthew 6:26 on God's provision?

5. How can we apply God's provision in Genesis 1:30 to our lives today?

6. What responsibilities do we have towards creation, based on Genesis 1:30?

7. How does Genesis 1:30 align with the scientific understanding of animal diets?

8. Does Genesis 1:30 imply all animals were originally herbivores?

9. How does Genesis 1:30 fit with the existence of carnivorous animals today?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 1?

11. Did animals consume each other before the fall?

12. What defines the breath of life?

13. How can the claim that predator and prey will coexist peacefully (Isaiah 11:6–7) be reconciled with established scientific understanding of animal behavior?

14. Does the Bible mention the paleo diet?
What Does Genesis 1:30 Mean
And to every beast of the earth

God deliberately singles out land animals first, underscoring His comprehensive care for all creation. He is not only the Maker but also the Sustainer (Psalm 145:15-16). The phrase echoes His earlier provision for mankind in Genesis 1:29, showing that animals, like humans, rely entirely on the Creator for life and sustenance. Romans 8:19-21 later reminds us that the entire creation still “eagerly awaits” the fullness of God’s redemption, indicating that His concern for animals continues beyond Eden.


and every bird of the air

Birds, soaring above human reach, are not beyond God’s provision. Jesus later points to them as living proof of the Father’s daily care (Matthew 6:26). By including birds here, Genesis affirms that God’s covenant provision extends vertically as well as horizontally—sky, land, and sea alike fall under His benevolent rule.


and every creature that crawls upon the earth

Even the smallest ground-dwellers—often overlooked—receive specific mention. This detail speaks of divine thoroughness: nothing is too insignificant for the Lord’s notice (Proverbs 12:10). Leviticus 11 later classifies many of these “creepers,” but before the fall and the flood they all shared one common menu: plants.


everything that has the breath of life in it

The phrase gathers all living beings into one category: those whose life-force comes directly from God (Genesis 2:7). Job 12:10 affirms, “The life of every creature and the breath of all mankind are in His hand.” By emphasizing “breath,” Scripture links physical life to God’s own Spirit-given vitality, highlighting the sacredness of animal life and reinforcing humanity’s stewardship responsibility (Genesis 1:28).


I have given every green plant for food

• God’s original diet for both people and animals is entirely plant-based.

• Violence, predation, and bloodshed have no place in an unfallen world (Isaiah 11:6-9 paints a similar picture of peace).

• The gift language—“I have given”—reveals God’s generosity and establishes food as divine provision, not mere natural resource.

• After the flood, the menu changes for humans (Genesis 9:3), but Genesis 1:30 shows that death entered the animal world only after sin marred creation (Romans 5:12; Romans 8:20-22).


And it was so

This brief confirmation underscores both the reliability of God’s word and the immediacy of its fulfillment (Psalm 33:9). Creation obeys effortlessly; there is no gap between divine decree and reality. The phrase also brackets Day Six, marking the completion of God’s provisioning work before His Sabbath rest (Genesis 2:1-3).


summary

Genesis 1:30 reveals God’s all-encompassing care: every land animal, every bird, and every creeping creature receives life and food from Him. The verse presents an original, harmonious ecosystem where both humanity and animals thrive on plant life, reflecting God’s peace-filled design. It affirms the Creator’s authority, generosity, and meticulous attention to every living being—truths that remain foundational for understanding stewardship, compassion, and the future hope of a restored creation.

Verse 30. - 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. The first of the three classes of plants, grass, was assigned to the animals for food. From this Delitzsch infers that prior to the introduction of sin the animals were not predaceous. The geological evidence of the existence of death in prehistoric times is, however, too powerful to be resisted; and the Biblical record itself enumerates among the pre-adamic animals the chayyah of the field, which clearly belonged to the carnivora. Perhaps the most that can be safely concluded from the language is "that it indicates merely the general fact that the support of the whole animal kingdom is based on vegetation" (Dawson).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And to every
וּֽלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

beast
חַיַּ֣ת (ḥay·yaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

of the earth
הָ֠אָרֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and every
וּלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

bird
ע֨וֹף (‘ō·wp̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5775: Flying creatures

of the air
הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and every
וּלְכֹ֣ל ׀ (ū·lə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

creature that crawls
רוֹמֵ֣שׂ (rō·w·mêś)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7430: To glide swiftly, to crawl, move with short steps, to swarm

upon
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the earth—
הָאָ֗רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

everything that has
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the breath
נֶ֣פֶשׁ (ne·p̄eš)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

of life
חַיָּ֔ה (ḥay·yāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

in it—
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

[I have given] every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

green
יֶ֥רֶק (ye·req)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3418: Pallor, the yellowish green of young and sickly vegetation, verdure, grass, vegetation

plant
עֵ֖שֶׂב (‘ê·śeḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6212: Herb, herbage

for food.”
לְאָכְלָ֑ה (lə·’āḵ·lāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 402: Food, eating

And it was
וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

so.
כֵֽן׃ (ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus


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OT Law: Genesis 1:30 To every animal of the earth (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 1:29
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