And God said: Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind, to be your meat:
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים הִנֵּה֩ נָתַ֨תִּי לָכֶ֜ם אֶת־כָּל־עֵ֣שֶׂב ׀ זֹרֵ֣עַ זֶ֗רַע אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י כָל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֶת־כָּל־הָעֵ֛ץ אֲשֶׁר־בּ֥וֹ פְרִי־עֵ֖ץ זֹרֵ֣עַ זָ֑רַע לָכֶ֥ם יִֽהְיֶ֖ה לְאָכְלָֽה׃
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Observe, dear ones, the clarity of the message and the profound humanity of God, and let no word go by without reflection. “And God said,” He declares, “Behold, I have given you every herb that soweth seed,” as if this proclamation were directed toward two, even though the woman had yet to be formed.
Chapter XXI. A challenge related to the immortality of humanity arises from the provision of sustenance for beings created by God. Understanding how humans were made eternal yet akin to other creatures, subsisting on seed-bearing plants, fruit-bearing trees, and every green herb is quite complex. Indeed, if humanity became mortal as a result of sin, it follows that prior to sin, there would have been no necessity for such nourishment. At that time, the human form would not have been diminished by hunger.
Though the command was given to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, which typically implies the union of man and woman—an indication of finite bodies—it is conceivable that in immortal bodies, procreation could occur through a singular act of divine love, devoid of any tainted desires, allowing for offspring to exist without inheriting the mortality of their parents or experiencing death themselves. This method of generation might continue until the earth is inhabited exclusively by immortal beings, thus establishing a righteous and holy community anticipated after the resurrection of the dead. While it is possible to propose such a notion, one must acknowledge that the necessity for sustenance implies the existence of mortal forms and their limitations.
Abstinence curbs appetites. It is recorded that God created humanity male and female. God blessed them and instructed them to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). Some interpret this directive as indicating a physical distinction between the sexes. God also proclaimed, Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing herb upon the earth and every fruit-bearing tree: these shall be your sustenance; and to every beast of the earth, every bird of the air, and every creeping thing, I have provided green herbs for their nourishment. This is often understood as suggesting that the first humans, though different in sexes, consumed the same food as all living beings, finding sustenance there as well. Their bodies, while in certain respects immortal, possessed physical needs to avoid weakness from lack of nourishment; they would also have relied on the fruit of the tree of life to prevent aging. However, I find it difficult to believe that in such a blissful existence, the flesh would be in conflict with the spirit or vice versa, nor that they could live in dissonance without experiencing inner tranquility. Therefore, we may conclude that there was either no carnal desire at that time, or a way of life where every need was fulfilled by the appropriate use of their faculties without the influence of lustful impulses.
"Behold, I have provided you with every tree that bears fruit; it shall be for your nourishment." The Church must ensure that nothing is overlooked: everything is governed by divine law. Did not God declare, "I have provided you with fish for sustenance, I have given you livestock, and creatures of the earth"? The Scriptures indicate that this was not the primary reason for their creation. However, the initial command permitted the consumption of fruit, as we were still deemed deserving of paradise.
and decided that he was to first receive nourishment from the produce of the land, grains, plants, and vegetables...
The role of earthly sustenance demonstrates that humanity is not entirely complete in its spiritual existence, yet it serves as a preparation for ultimate perfection, as the elevated spiritual life does not require the support of lower beings for its sustenance. God grants vegetation for man's nourishment. By examining this directive alongside a related directive regarding the food allowed after the flood (Gen. 9:3), which includes animals, we can infer that animals were not originally designated for man's diet. This understanding does not undermine the authority over them, as consuming is not the sole expression of stewardship over creation.
Initially, only vegetation was designated for human sustenance, specifically herbs and fruits from trees. Following humanity's fall into sin, people were permitted to take the lives of animals, but this was intended for clothing and sacrificial purposes (Gen. 3:21, Gen. 4:4). The allowance to consume flesh was granted to humanity after the great flood (Gen. 9:3). Until that point, despite the fall, human physical constitution had not deteriorated to such an extent that plant-based nourishment alone could not adequately support their health and vitality.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS