Genesis 7:2 - You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female.

Generated Verse: Genesis 7:2

What does "Genesis 7:2" mean?


Genesis 7:2 is part of the instructions God gives Noah regarding the animals he is to bring onto the ark before the great flood. Let's break down what the verse means:

"You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female."

"Clean animal": In the context of the Old Testament, "clean" animals were those deemed acceptable for sacrifice and consumption according to the dietary laws established later in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). Examples of these animals can be found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 and included animals that chewed the cud and had divided hooves, like cattle, sheep, and goats.
"Seven pairs": This means seven males and seven females of each clean animal, for a total of fourteen. The increased number suggests that these animals were to be used for both survival during the flood and for breeding and sacrifice after the flood.

"Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female."

"Animals that are not clean": These were animals considered unfit for sacrifice or consumption according to the dietary laws. Examples include pigs and rabbits.
"Two, the male and his female": Only one pair (male and female) of each unclean animal was to be brought onto the ark. The purpose was primarily to preserve the species after the flood, not for immediate sacrifice or large-scale breeding.

In essence, this verse instructs Noah to take a larger number of clean animals for propagation and possible sacrifice after the flood, while taking only a pair of unclean animals, enough to repopulate their kind. This verse is essential for understanding the scope of the flood narrative and God's plan for repopulating the Earth with its diverse animal life.