מִין
min
kind
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# The Hebrew Word מִין (min): "Kind" or "Type" The Hebrew word *min* (מִין) appears 31 times throughout the Bible and carries the fundamental meaning of "kind" or "type"—referring to a distinct category or classification of things. This lexical item functions as a noun that allows speakers to organize and distinguish between different groups or species, whether of animals, plants, or other entities. The word's basic semantic function is taxonomic: it establishes boundaries between one category and another. The practical significance of *min* becomes evident in biblical narratives where precise distinctions matter. Most notably, the word appears in the creation account and purity laws, where maintaining proper categories—separating one kind of animal from another, or one type of garment from another—carries religious and practical weight. The 31 occurrences suggest that *min* was a standard way for biblical writers to communicate the concept of differentiated types or kinds within the natural and ritual order. This indicates that ancient Hebrew speakers viewed the world as fundamentally composed of distinct kinds, each with its own characteristics and rules governing interaction or use. Without access to the specific contexts of all 31 occurrences, the word's full range of application remains partially constrained by the provided data. However, the basic definition and frequency of use confirm that *min* was essential vocabulary for expressing categorical distinctions in Hebrew thought and communication
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
31 total occurrences across the text
It will happen, that fishermen will stand by it. From En Gedi even to En Eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be after their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many.
Genesis 1:11God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth;” and it was so.
Genesis 1:12The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:12The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:21God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:21God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:24God 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.
Genesis 1:24God 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.
Genesis 1:25God 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.
Genesis 1:25God 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.
Genesis 1:25God 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.
Genesis 6:20Of 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.
Genesis 6:20Of 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.
Genesis 6:20Of 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.
Genesis 7:14they, 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.
Genesis 7:14they, 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.
Genesis 7:14they, 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.
Genesis 7:14they, 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.
Leviticus 11:14the red kite, any kind of black kite,
Leviticus 11:15any kind of raven,
Leviticus 11:16the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,
Leviticus 11:19the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.
Leviticus 11:22Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper.
Leviticus 11:22Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper.
Leviticus 11:22Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper.
Leviticus 11:22Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper.
Leviticus 11:29“ ‘These are they which are unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard,
Deuteronomy 14:13the red kite, the falcon, the kite after its kind,
Deuteronomy 14:14every raven after its kind,
Deuteronomy 14:15the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk after its kind,
Deuteronomy 14:18the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.