Definition: And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather [it] to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 6:21. It's a pretty important passage about God’s concern for humanity and the future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is worried about how people are feeding themselves. He’s saying, “Don’t just take whatever you want to eat; you need to gather all the food available to provide for yourself and for others.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And take unto thee of all food that is eaten…” – This means God is looking at everything people are consuming, from fruits and vegetables to meat, bread, and everything else. It’s a comprehensive look at their diet. “…and thou shalt gather [it] to thee…” - This is the key part. “Gather” implies collecting or storing something. So, God wants everyone to collect all the food available. "...and it shall be for thee, and for them.” – This means that this collected food should be used for you (meaning God) and for others – for those who are hungry and in need. It’s a promise of generosity and care. What does this verse tell us about God? This verse speaks to God's concern for humanity, especially regarding their well-being. It suggests: God cares deeply about people: He wants them to have enough food to survive and thrive. He’s watching over them: It shows that he's aware of the potential problems with the human race and is taking action to protect them. Context & Significance: This verse comes before a significant story in Genesis – the Great Flood. It’s often interpreted as a sign that humanity was becoming too consumed with greed, selfishness, and a lack of compassion, which ultimately led to the destruction of all life on Earth. It's a warning about the dangers of focusing solely on personal gain at the expense of others. In short, it’s a message of responsibility – God wants us to be generous and care for those around us. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible? Answer any specific questions you have about it?