Genesis 1:29-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 1:29-30

We have here the third part of the sixth day's work, which was not any new creation, but a gracious provision of food for all flesh, Ps. 136:25. He that made man and beast thus took care to preserve both, Ps. 36:6. Here is, I. Food provided for man, Gen. 1:29. Herbs and fruits must be his meat, including corn and all the products of the earth; these were allowed him, but (it should seem) not flesh, till after the flood, Gen. 9:3. And before the earth was deluged, much more before it was cursed... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 1:31

We have here the approbation and conclusion of the whole work of creation. As for God, his work is perfect; and if he begin he will also make an end, in providence and grace, as well as here in creation. Observe, I. The review God took of his work: He saw every thing that he had made. So he does still; all the works of his hands are under his eye. He that made all sees all; he that made us sees us, Ps. 139:1-16. Omniscience cannot be separated from omnipotence. Known unto God are all his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 1:29

And God said ,.... That is, to Adam and Eve, whom he had made in his image and likeness, and to whom he had given the dominion of the earth and sea, and all things in them: behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth ; every herb or plant which had a seed in it, by which it sowed itself again; or being taken off, might be sown by man, even everyone that was wholesome, healthful, and nourishing, without any exception; whatever grew in any part... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 1:30

And to every beast of the earth ,.... Wild or tame, the cattle on a thousand hills; God took care and provided for these, being all his creatures, and designed to answer some end or other by their creation: and to every fowl of the air ; that flies in it, and to every creeping thing upon the earth ; even the meanest and lowest insect: wherein there is life ; or "a living soul"; that has an animal life, which is to be supported by food: I have given every green herb for meat ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 1:31

And God saw everything that he had made ,.... Either all that he had made on the several six days of the creation, he took a survey of them, looked over them again, as workmen do when they have finished their work, to see if anything is amiss or wanting; not that anything of this nature can be supposed in the works of God, but such a survey is attributed to him after the manner of men, to show the completeness of his works, and the excellency of them. Picherellus F17 In Cosmopoeiam, p.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:29

I have given you every herb - for meat - It seems from this, says an eminent philosopher, that man was originally intended to live upon vegetables only; and as no change was made In the structure of men's bodies after the flood, it is not probable that any change was made in the articles of their food. It may also be inferred from this passage that no animal whatever was originally designed to prey on others; for nothing is here said to be given to any beast of the earth besides green herbs... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:31

And, behold, it was very good - מאד טוב tob meod , Superlatively, or only good; as good as they could be. The plan wise, the work well executed, the different parts properly arranged; their nature, limits, mode of existence, manner of propagation, habits, mode of sustenance, etc., etc., properly and permanently established and secured; for every thing was formed to the utmost perfection of its nature, so that nothing could be added or diminished without encumbering the operations of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:31

Verse 31 31.And God saw everything Once more, at the conclusion of the creation, Moses declares that God approved of everything which he had made. In speaking of God as seeing, he does it after the manner of men; for the Lord designed this his judgment to be as a rule and example to us; that no one should dare to think or speak otherwise of his works. For it is not lawful for us to dispute whether that ought to be approved or not which God has already approved; but it rather becomes us to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:24-31

The sixth day. We pass from the sea and air to the earth. We are being led to man. Notice— I. THE PREPARATION IS COMPLETE . Before the earth receives the human being, it brings forth all the other creatures, and God sees that they are good—good in his sight, good for man. II. THE PURPOSE OF THE WORK IS BENEVOLENT . Cattle, creeping thing, beast of the earth. So man would see them distinguished—the wild from the domestic, the creeping from the roaming, the clean from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:29

Provision for the sustenance of the newly-appointed monarch and his subjects is next made. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Of the three classes into which the vegetable creation was divided, grass, herbs, and trees ( Genesis 1:12 ), the two last were assigned to man for food. Macdonald thinks that without this express... read more

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