Genesis 7:9 kjv

There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.

Genesis 7:9 nkjv

two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.

Genesis 7:9 niv

male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah.

Genesis 7:9 esv

two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah.

Genesis 7:9 nlt

They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.

Genesis 7 verses

Genesis 7 9 Meaning

Genesis 7:9 describes the obedient entry of the animals into Noah's Ark, with each type arriving in pairs—male and female. This detail underscores the meticulous fulfillment of God's specific command to Noah, ensuring the preservation of all living creatures according to their kind, ready to repopulate the earth after the global deluge. It highlights divine sovereignty over creation and Noah's unwavering faith and obedience.

Genesis 7 9 Context

Genesis chapter 7 vividly details the onset of the Great Flood and the gathering of all life into Noah's Ark. Prior to this verse, God has clearly articulated His intention to destroy all flesh due to its pervasive corruption, sparing only Noah, his family, and two of every living creature (or seven pairs of clean animals). Verse 9 immediately follows the command in Gen 7:8, which generalizes the entry of both clean and unclean animals. Thus, Gen 7:9 functions as a direct confirmation of God's powerful provision and Noah's unwavering obedience; the animals arrived at the Ark not through Noah's strenuous efforts of capture, but by divine leading and instinct, affirming God's complete control over His creation as the judgment unfolded. The broader historical context is a unique, unprecedented global judgment, an event intended to cleanse the earth and establish a new beginning for humanity through Noah's line.

Genesis 7 9 Word analysis

• וְנִשְׁנַ֗יִם שְׁנַ֨יִם (wənišna·yim šəna·yim): "And two by two"

  • וְ (wə): "And": A simple conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding actions, showing continuity in the divine plan and its fulfillment.
  • נִשְׁנַ֗יִם שְׁנַ֨יִם (nišnayim shenayim): This repetition of the cardinal number "two" serves to emphasize the precision, order, and distinct pairing of the animals. It is not merely "in twos" but "two, two," highlighting each discrete unit entering. This highlights a deliberate and meticulous fulfillment of God's instruction for preservation. The "ni" prefix in the first "nishnayim" indicates a passive or reciprocal sense, further implying they came in pairs or were paired together.

• בָּ֤אוּ (ba'u): "they came"

  • בָּ֤אוּ (ba'u): This verb signifies active arrival. Crucially, it is not "Noah brought them" or "Noah gathered them," but "they came." This implies a supernatural guidance, a divine orchestration where the animals were supernaturally led by God's providence and instinct, presenting themselves willingly at the ark's entrance without any human coercion. It underlines God's direct involvement in preserving life.

• אֶל־נֹחַ֙ (ʾel-noaḥ): "to Noah"

  • אֶל־נֹחַ֙ (ʾel-noaḥ): This specifies the destination and human recipient. Noah, as God's chosen servant, was the focal point and conduit through whom the preservation would occur. It emphasizes his central, yet submissive, role in the divine plan.

• אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֔ה (ʾel-hattêvâ): "into the ark"

  • אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֔ה (ʾel-hattêvâ): This clearly designates the Ark as the divinely appointed sanctuary and means of salvation from the flood. The definite article "the" indicates it is the specific, unique structure prepared according to God's precise instructions. The term tevah (תֵּבָה) itself is notably used only for Noah's ark and Moses's basket, suggesting a vessel of divine rescue and preservation.

• זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה (zâḵār ûnəqêvâ): "male and female"

  • זָכָ֥ר (zâḵār): "male."
  • וּנְקֵבָ֖ה (ûnəqêvâ): "and female." This essential biological pairing, first established in creation (Gen 1:27), is crucial for the continuation and propagation of each species. It speaks to God's foresight and design, ensuring that life would not only survive the judgment but also flourish afterward. It highlights the divine command concerning the preservation of "kinds."

• כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ צִוָּ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־נֹֽחַ׃ (ka'asher tsivvâ ʾĕlōhîm ʾet-noaḥ): "as God had commanded Noah."

  • כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ (ka'asher): "as" or "just as": This comparative phrase confirms that the events unfolding are a precise fulfillment of prior divine instructions. It demonstrates God's perfect plan and Noah's perfect obedience.
  • צִוָּ֨ה (tsivvâ): "commanded": This strong verb highlights the authoritative nature of God's decree. It was not a suggestion or a request but an explicit, binding order from the Creator.
  • אֱלֹהִ֖ים (ʾĕlōhîm): "God": This general Hebrew term for God emphasizes Him as the supreme Creator, sovereign over all creation and able to implement His will fully. This reasserts His omnipotence in both judgment and preservation.
  • אֶת־נֹֽחַ׃ (ʾet-noaḥ): "Noah." The direct object marker "et" emphasizes Noah as the recipient of the command, reiterating his pivotal role in God's plan for preservation, based on his unique righteousness and obedience.

Genesis 7 9 Bonus section

The seemingly repetitive nature of "two by two" in verse 9, especially after specific instructions for seven pairs of clean animals in Gen 7:2-3, implies a generalization. While some animals (clean birds and livestock) entered in sevens for sacrificial purposes and rapid repopulation, Gen 7:9 acts as a general summary that all animals entered at least two by two (a male and female pair) to ensure their kind would survive. This reiterates the minimal requirement for all life, ensuring genetic viability for every category, while allowing for special provisions for ritually significant clean animals. It avoids contradictions by providing a summarizing statement that holds true for all instances. This precision in detail reflects the inspired nature of the text, conveying a comprehensive, yet flexible, execution of God's command.

Genesis 7 9 Commentary

Genesis 7:9 encapsulates the divine precision and power at the brink of cosmic judgment. It is a testament to God's unwavering control over His creation, even in its corrupted state, as animals—often considered wild and unpredictable—willingly submitted to His ordained purpose, walking "two by two" into the Ark. This scene powerfully illustrates not Noah's ability to gather animals, but God's sovereign hand guiding them, confirming His prior command. The specific mention of "male and female" underlines God's concern for the perpetuation of life according to its created "kind," demonstrating that even amidst judgment, His intent for future life was secure. The phrase "as God had commanded Noah" serves as a continuous refrain throughout this narrative (Gen 6:22; 7:5), emphasizing Noah's consistent obedience as the foundation for the fulfillment of God's promises and the pathway to salvation. This verse underscores that divine commands are purposeful, precise, and executed by God's omnipotent will, often utilizing His creatures, through faith and obedience of His chosen instruments, like Noah.