Define "Kind"

But does the Bible even give any clues as to what a kind might be? It may not define "kind", but are there examples? What does the Bible say?According to the Flood story, animals were put on the Ark by "kinds" in groups of 2 and 7, right? The only specifically identified animals are the dove and the raven (as far as I recall these are the only ones). Therefore, by definition, these two birds would have to be representative "kinds" of the animals that would have made it onto the Ark.So if this is any indication, "kind" would appear to be somewhere about the genus level of classification. So if we go by the Bible example of a "kind" being a raven and a dove, it appears to be more specific than just "bird-kind" and similar groups.~clpMINI

Genesis is pretty clear that "kinds" got on the Ark, and not species. Unless you are adding hierarchical "kinds" classification schemes, with "original kinds" and "secondary kinds", then I don't know how you can differentiate one "kind" from another.Gen 7:3 actually says "...and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth."So apparantly there are multiple "kinds" of birds that get onto the Ark, with two being named specifically (dove and raven).So if the Bible is God's word, is God using two different meanings for "kind" for Eden and the Flood?~clpMINI

I agree. You can't expect the people who wrote these stories to have the understanding that we have about animals and nature in general. What you should be able to expect is for people today to take things in context and not abandon science for ancient generalities.The less precise and less accurate you are on your terms, the more wiggle room you have.And you can't ever be wrong if no one can even define what you're talking about.~clpMINI