"According to Their Kinds": What the Hebrew Word min Means

Short answer: According to their kinds in Genesis means creatures were grouped by their own sort — male and female, as seen in the instructions to Noah to take two of every sort and seven of clean animals. The text repeatedly uses “after their kind” to show categories God made, not modern taxonomy. It does not specify numbers beyond what is stated, two or seven, and does not define kinds as young-earth classifications. The phrase sets boundaries within God’s original creation, not a later system.

The words "after their kind" appear repeatedly in the flood narrative, shaping how God instructs Noah to bring animals onto the ark — a detail that carries weight for understanding the structure and purpose of creation as described earlier in Genesis. This study will examine the specific passages where "after their kind" is mentioned, focusing on how the Hebrew term min functions in these verses to clarify the categories God establishes. By looking closely at the text, we will explore what it means for creatures to be grouped and preserved in ways that reflect their original design.

The Repetition and Function of 'After Their Kind' in Genesis

The phrase 'after their kind' appears multiple times in the selected passages, emphasizing a clear distinction among living creatures. In Genesis 6:20, it is written 'of the birds after their kind, of the livestock after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind.' This repetition establishes a pattern—each creature is to be brought in pairs according to its specific category. The language suggests a deliberate classification system, ensuring that each type of life is represented on the ark. This pattern is not unique to the flood narrative, as Genesis 1:24-25 also uses the same phrase to describe the creation of living things.

In Genesis 7:2-3, the distinction between clean and unclean animals is introduced, yet the phrase 'after their kind' still appears. It says 'seven pairs of every clean animal' and 'two of every sort' for those that are not clean. This shows that even within the division of clean and unclean, the principle of kinds remains consistent. The same idea is reinforced in Genesis 7:14, where 'every animal after its kind' is listed alongside 'every bird after its kind.' This repetition underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of each category during the flood, suggesting a structured and intentional preservation effort.

The use of the phrase 'after their kind' in these passages seems to serve a functional role—ensuring that each species is preserved in its own category. This is particularly evident in Genesis 6:19-20, where 'two of every sort' is paired with 'after their kind.' The language implies that the ark was to carry representatives of each biological category, not just individual animals. While the exact mechanism of how this was achieved is not detailed, the repeated use of 'after their kind' highlights a consistent theological and narrative emphasis on the preservation of distinct forms of life. This theme is also found in Genesis 1, where the same phrase is used in the creation account.

The Meaning of 'Kind' in the Biblical Text

The Hebrew word 'min' appears in Genesis 6:19-20 and 7:2-3, 14, where it is used to describe the grouping of living creatures. The phrase 'after their kind' — 'after their kind', indicates a category or type, not necessarily the modern scientific classification system. The text does not specify how many species or subspecies are included in each 'kind', this is an assumption. The term 'kind' is broader and more general than the modern biological taxonomy, which relies on detailed genetic and morphological distinctions. The biblical text focuses on preserving life in groups, not on biological classification.

In Genesis 7:14, the repetition of 'after its kind' emphasizes that each group of creatures is distinct — 'every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind.' This language suggests a level of categorization that is not the same as the Linnaean system. The text does not describe the internal diversity within each 'kind', this is not stated. The emphasis is on continuity and preservation, not on biological specificity. The term 'kind' is used consistently, but its exact boundaries are not defined in the text.

Comparing Genesis 1:24-25 with the later passages shows that the concept of 'kind' is introduced early in creation and maintained throughout the flood narrative. The phrase 'after their kind' is used in both creation and preservation contexts — 'living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind.' This consistency suggests that 'kind' refers to a fundamental classification that is not necessarily equivalent to modern taxonomy. The text does not provide a mechanism for how 'kinds' are determined, this is left to interpretation. The focus remains on the survival of life groups, not on biological details.

Understanding the Number and Kind in the Ark's Passengers

Genesis 6:19-20 and 7:2-3 show two different models for the number of passengers on the ark. The first model, in Genesis 6:19-20, says two of every sort — male and female, for all living things. This suggests a uniform approach. But in Genesis 7:2-3, a different model appears. Here, seven pairs of every clean animal are taken, while two pairs of unclean animals are taken. This distinction implies a special treatment for clean animals. The text does not explain why this difference exists, it simply states it. The focus is on preserving life, but with variation in numbers based on the animal’s classification.

Genesis 7:14 repeats the idea of every living thing after its kind — a term also used in Genesis 1:24-25. This phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining distinct categories. Yet the number of animals taken differs between the two models. The first model in Genesis 6:19-20 seems to apply universally, while the second model in Genesis 7:2-3 introduces a variation. This may suggest a shift in focus, from mere preservation to a more intentional effort to preserve certain animals for future use. The text does not clarify the reason for this change, it simply presents it as part of the instructions given to Noah.

The scale of the ark’s passengers also changes depending on the model. The first model requires two of every sort — a smaller number. The second model, however, demands seven pairs for clean animals, a much larger number. This variation raises questions about the purpose behind the different numbers. The text does not explain whether the increase in number was for practical reasons or symbolic ones. It simply states the numbers as part of the instructions. The emphasis on 'after their kind' in both models shows that maintaining biological distinctions was important, but the scale of numbers varies based on the type of animal being taken.

the use of min in the flood narrative and its implications

The passage repeatedly uses the Hebrew word min in phrases like 'after their kind' and 'after its kind' — as seen in Genesis 6:20 and 7:14. This term refers to biological categories, but the text does not specify how many species or subcategories exist. The flood account lists pairs or multiples of creatures 'after their kind' without naming them or providing a complete inventory. This suggests that the ancient Israelite understanding of min was not tied to a modern classification system, but rather a more general biological grouping that allowed for variation within kinds.

The distinction between 'clean' and 'unclean' animals in Genesis 7:2-3 adds another layer to the narrative. It implies that the categories were known and recognized by the people of that time, but not in the detailed scientific way that modern young-earth creationists often assume. The text does not claim to list all kinds or define them in a way that would allow for a complete reconstruction of a 'kind inventory.' Instead, it focuses on the number of animals and their reproductive roles — male and female, to ensure the continuation of life after the flood.

The phrase 'after their kind' appears in both the flood narrative and the creation account in Genesis 1:24-25. This consistency shows that the concept of min was part of the broader theological framework of creation, not just a practical detail for the flood. However, the lack of specific definitions or examples in the text means that any attempt to build a 'young-earth kind inventory' is a reconstruction based on assumptions rather than a direct statement from the biblical text. The passage provides a framework, not a detailed catalog.

The Use of 'Kind' in the Flood Narrative

The Hebrew word min, translated as 'kind' in Genesis 6:19–20 and 7:2–3, appears repeatedly in the flood account. This term is used consistently to describe how animals are grouped — 'after their kind', as in 'the birds after their kind' and 'every creeping thing of the ground after its kind.' The text emphasizes that each group is distinct and self-contained. This focus on categories suggests that the original classification of life was important to the narrative’s purpose. The repetition of 'after their kind' in these verses aligns with the earlier creation account in Genesis 1:24–25, where the same phrase appears.

The flood instructions specify different numbers for clean and unclean animals — seven pairs of the former and two of the latter. This distinction does not contradict the 'after their kind' language, but rather operates within it. The text does not define what makes an animal clean or unclean, this is left to other traditions. The emphasis remains on preserving the categories as they were created. The phrase 'every living thing of all flesh' in Genesis 6:19 and 'every animal after its kind' in Genesis 7:14 both highlight the importance of maintaining the original divisions of life.

The flood narrative uses the same terminology as the creation account — 'after their kind', to show continuity between the two events. The text does not explain how the ark’s occupants were selected beyond their categories. It assumes that the categories were known and followed. The use of 'every sort' in Genesis 6:20 and 'every sort' in Genesis 7:14 reinforces that each category was represented. This repetition suggests that the text’s own category system, based on the Hebrew word min, should guide how we understand the flood’s purpose and structure.

Biblical fidelity check

This passage claims that God instructed Noah to bring animals onto the ark in pairs — two of every sort for most creatures and seven pairs of clean animals, so they might survive the flood and repopulate the earth after it. It does not claim that these instructions were meant to preserve every species that ever existed or that the ark was designed to hold all life forms. The text assumes that “after their kind” refers to biological categories known to the ancient world, not modern scientific classifications.

Scripture in this study

• Genesis 6:19 — “Of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ship, to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.” (World English Bible)
• Genesis 6:20 — “Of the birds after their kind, of the livestock after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive.” (World English Bible)
• Genesis 7:2 — “You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female.” (World English Bible)
• Genesis 7:3 — “Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth.” (World English Bible)
• Genesis 7:14 — “they, and every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort.” (World English Bible)
• Genesis 1:24 — “God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so.” (World English Bible)
• Genesis 1:25 — “God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.” (World English Bible)

Sources and references

1. Richard S. Hess, "The Meaning of min in the Hebrew Old Testament," BioLogos (2012) source
2. Catalogue of Life, 2026 release: approximately 1.78 million described Animalia species source
3. M. Belknap and T. Chaffey, "How Could All the Animals Fit on the Ark?", Answers in Genesis: the 1,398-kind / 6,744-animal creationist inventory source
4. Noah's Ark - Plausibility Analysis (September 2026) — Source-grounded quantitative plausibility paper supplied to Sermon Academy. It tests plausibility and explicitly does not claim to prove a global Flood or authenticate the Durupinar formation.

Keep reading

This study is part of Noah's Ark: A Bible Study Series on Genesis 6-9. These studies sit alongside Genesis 1 26, Genesis 6 Meaning Context, how do i know whether an application is faithful to the text, and Genesis Creation Fall Promise And Covenant.

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FAQ

What does the Hebrew word min mean?

The Hebrew word min means 'kind' or 'sort' — a category of living things. Genesis 6:19-20 and 7:14 use min to describe how animals were to be brought onto the Ark. It refers to groups of creatures that share common traits and are distinct from others.

Is a biblical kind the same as a species?

A biblical kind is not necessarily the same as a species. The term min in Genesis refers to broader categories — not the same as modern scientific classifications. Genesis 1:24-25 shows that creatures were made after their kind, suggesting a more general grouping than species.

How many animals would that mean on the Ark?

The text suggests two of every kind for most animals — except clean animals, which had seven pairs. Genesis 7:2-3 indicates this. The exact number of kinds is not given. It is an assumption to count them, the text does not specify how many kinds there were.