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Genesis 1:24 - Divine command births earthly creatures.

Genesis 1:24 - בראשית 1:24

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים תּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה לְמִינָהּ בְּהֵמָה וָרֶמֶשׂ וְחַיְתוֹ־אֶרֶץ לְמִינָהּ וַיְהִי־כֵן׃

English Translation

And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind: and it was so.

Transliteration

Vayomer Elohim totzei ha'aretz nefesh chayah leminah behemah varemes vechayat-eretz leminah vayehi-chen.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים תּוֹצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ נֶ֤פֶשׁ חַיָּה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ בְּהֵמָ֥ה וָרֶ֛מֶשׂ וְחַֽיְתוֹ־אֶ֖רֶץ לְמִינָ֑הּ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים תּוֹצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ נֶ֤פֶשׁ חַיָּה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ בְּהֵמָ֥ה וָרֶ֛מֶשׂ וְחַֽיְתוֹ־אֶ֖רֶץ לְמִינָ֑הּ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Creation of Living Creatures

The verse (Bereishit 1:24) describes the creation of living creatures from the earth, emphasizing their division into distinct categories: בְּהֵמָה (domesticated animals), רֶמֶשׂ (creeping things), and חַיְתוֹ־אֶרֶץ (wild beasts). Rashi explains that the term נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה ("living soul") refers to creatures possessing vitality and movement, distinguishing them from plant life, which lacks autonomous motion.

Distinction Between Categories

  • בְּהֵמָה (Domesticated Animals): Ramban notes that these are animals beneficial to humans, such as cattle, which are easily tamed and serve agricultural purposes.
  • רֶמֶשׂ (Creeping Things): The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 7:4) interprets this as small creatures that move close to the ground, including insects and reptiles.
  • חַיְתוֹ־אֶרֶץ (Wild Beasts): These are untamed animals, such as lions and wolves, which live independently of human influence (Ibn Ezra).

Divine Precision in Creation

The phrase לְמִינָהּ ("after their kind") appears twice, underscoring that each species was created with its own unique characteristics. The Sforno explains that this repetition teaches that even within broad categories, subcategories exist, ensuring biodiversity and ecological balance.

The Earth as an Active Participant

Unlike earlier creations where God directly formed life (e.g., Adam), here the earth (הָאָרֶץ) is commanded to תּוֹצֵא ("bring forth") creatures. The Talmud (Chullin 60a) derives from this that the earth had a role in shaping their forms, though their souls were divinely implanted.

Fulfillment of Divine Will

The concluding phrase וַיְהִי־כֵן ("and it was so") signifies the immediate and perfect execution of God’s command. The Malbim highlights this as a recurring theme in Creation, demonstrating the seamless harmony between divine intention and natural order.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 60a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the creation of animals and their categorization.
📖 Sanhedrin 108a
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing the order of creation and the nature of living creatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 1:24 mean when it says 'living creatures after their kind'?
A: The verse teaches that Hashem created all animals with distinct species ('after their kind'). Rashi explains that this means each creature was created with its own unique characteristics and cannot transform into another species. This highlights the Divine wisdom in creation, where everything has its proper place and purpose.
Q: Why does the Torah specify three categories of animals (cattle, creeping things, beasts of the earth)?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) explains that these categories represent different levels of movement and habitat. 'Cattle' (בְּהֵמָה) refers to domesticated animals, 'creeping things' (רֶמֶשׂ) to small creatures that crawl, and 'beasts of the earth' (חַיְתוֹ־אֶרֶץ) to wild animals. This teaches us about the diversity and order in Hashem's creation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 1:24 today?
A: The Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed) teaches that recognizing the precise design of each species leads us to appreciate Hashem's wisdom. Today, this reminds us to respect all creatures and their roles in the world, as each was intentionally created 'after its kind' for a purpose.
Q: How does 'and it was so' (וַיְהִי־כֵן) relate to the rest of the verse?
A: Rashi notes that this phrase appears throughout Creation to show that everything came into existence exactly as Hashem commanded—without delay or alteration. Here, it emphasizes that the earth produced these creatures perfectly according to the Divine plan.
Q: Why does the verse say the earth should 'bring forth' the animals instead of Hashem creating them directly?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 60a) explains that the earth was given a role in forming these creatures to show that creation involves partnership. Just as the earth obeyed Hashem’s command, we too must actively participate in fulfilling our purpose in the world.