How Did Species Become Extinct?
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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The text in Genesis 6:20 and 7:14 tells us that each "kind" was taken on the ark. Based on the Hebrew concept of "kind," it was unnecessary for each species within a "kind" to be included. Our problem is that we do not know what the range of "kind" was before the Flood.
- There may be numerous species we call "extinct," which were actually all just variations of the same "kind." Only two representatives of the entire "kind" would be needed on the ark.
Of the "kinds" which became extinct, they would have been on the ark (unless we were to argue that the word "every" does not mean "100% of them"). This is probably unnecessary, because it is more likely that they were simply unable to adapt to the changed environment that existed after the flood. Even today, there are many species dying off every year.
After the Flood, the variation within a "kind" was probably much less than before, because in all probability, there would be less genetic variety. Unless the two animals that came onto the ark had the full range of genes within them, the "gene pool" would end up shrinking significantly.
By the way, there are species mentioned in the Bible, which are extinct today.
Scripture Pages that Link to Here
- Noah was to take two of each each "kind" of animal, from the categories described in the passage. (According to a later passage, there will be seven, if they are "clean" animals.)
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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