Genesis 9:1 kjv

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

Genesis 9:1 nkjv

So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.

Genesis 9:1 niv

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.

Genesis 9:1 esv

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.

Genesis 9:1 nlt

Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth.

Genesis 9 verses

Genesis 9 1 Meaning

Genesis 9:1 marks a new beginning for humanity after the global flood. God blesses Noah and his sons, reissuing the foundational command from Creation: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." This verse signifies God's renewed covenant relationship with mankind, His active blessing upon the remnants, and the reaffirmation of humanity's original purpose and mandate to populate and steward the planet. It underscores God's unfailing commitment to life and order despite human sin.

Genesis 9 1 Context

Genesis 9:1 is placed immediately after the universal flood narrative, which culminated in the decimation of all life on earth save for those on the ark. Chapter 8 concludes with Noah offering sacrifices, and God establishing the covenant not to curse the ground again or destroy all living creatures by flood. This verse, therefore, represents the beginning of a new dispensation for humanity, initiating a second foundational epoch for mankind, distinct from the Edenic period yet bearing strong echoes of it. Noah and his three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth) are the progenitors of all future humanity, establishing the patriarchal structure from which all nations will descend. The setting is fresh earth, washed clean yet awaiting humanity's re-engagement with its purpose.

Genesis 9 1 Word analysis

• And God: Hebrew: Wāyyiḇāreḵ ʾĚlōhīm (וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים). Wāy-, "And he/it". Ělōhīm is the most common Hebrew word for God in the Old Testament, denoting His role as Creator and sovereign authority. This is the same term used in Gen 1 for creation, reinforcing the idea of a new creation or re-establishment.
• blessed: Hebrew: wayyiḇāreḵ (וַיְבָרֶךְ). This verb, barakh, implies divine empowerment for success, well-being, and fruitfulness. It's an active, transformative divine act, not just a good wish. The blessing here is foundational for the renewed life on earth. It carries echoes of the divine blessing upon Adam and Eve (Gen 1:28).
• Noah: Hebrew: Nōaḥ (נֹחַ). The central figure of the flood narrative, chosen for his righteousness in a corrupt generation (Gen 6:9). He represents the remnant and the new beginning for humanity.
• and his sons: Hebrew: wəʾeṯ bānāyw (וְאֶת־בָּנָיו). Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 9:18-19). They represent the entirety of post-flood humanity and are integral to the re-populating mandate. This emphasizes the family unit as the basis for societal restoration.
• and said to them: God's direct communication, signifying a personal and covenantal interaction. This is not merely a decree but a verbal charge.
• "Be fruitful": Hebrew: Pĕrū (פְּרוּ). A verb imperative, meaning "be productive, multiply, flourish." Primarily refers to biological reproduction, ensuring the continuation of the human race. This command is intrinsically linked to God's blessing.
• and multiply": Hebrew: ūruḇū (וּרְבוּ). A verb imperative, meaning "increase, grow numerous." Reinforces pĕrū, emphasizing numerical expansion. Together, pĕrū urḇū is a recurring divine command/blessing in Scripture for biological increase.
• "and fill: Hebrew: ūmilʾū (וּמִלְאוּ). A verb imperative, meaning "fill, make full." This goes beyond mere reproduction to geographic distribution. Humanity is not to stay concentrated in one place but to spread out across the entire planet.
• the earth": Hebrew: ʾeṯ-hāʾāreṣ (אֶת־הָאָרֶץ). Refers to the entire habitable world, reinforcing the universal scope of God's command. This directly contrasts the pre-flood state where the earth was "filled with violence" (Gen 6:11), now it is to be filled with life and righteous humanity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And God blessed Noah and his sons": This phrase highlights God's grace and initiative. Despite humanity's catastrophic failure that led to the flood, God’s goodness and covenant faithfulness are expressed in blessing the survivors. This blessing is divine enablement for their future success and procreation.
• "and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth'": This tripartite command (fruitful, multiply, fill) is a direct repetition of the initial mandate given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28. This recurrence underscores its foundational importance to God's plan for humanity. It implies humanity's restored purpose to propagate and inhabit the earth, echoing creation. This is humanity's primary cultural mandate post-flood. The command also carries an implicit charge for responsible dominion and stewardship over the renewed creation (further detailed in Gen 9:2-7). It is a command to be obedient and fill the empty places.

Genesis 9 1 Bonus section

• This verse can be seen as a reaffirmation of the "Cultural Mandate," originally given in Gen 1:28. It's not just about procreation but also implies the development of culture, society, and engagement with the physical world.
• The blessing immediately after the ark experience also emphasizes divine provision and initiative. God is not abandoning His creation but actively blessing it to move forward.
• The absence of the "subdue the earth and have dominion" part from the Genesis 1:28 mandate here in Gen 9:1 might seem notable, but the subsequent verses (Gen 9:2-3) immediately grant humanity authority over the animal kingdom and the use of animals for food, thus restoring and expanding elements of dominion. This reflects a renewed order in creation where humanity’s place of authority is re-established but with significant shifts in relationship, particularly regarding fear and the diet.

Genesis 9 1 Commentary

Genesis 9:1 is a profound declaration of God's enduring purpose for humanity, acting as a bridge between the old and new worlds. Post-flood, with creation renewed and a covenant established, God graciously blesses Noah and his family, signaling a fresh start rather than total abandonment. The immediate reissuing of the "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth" command highlights its central, non-negotiable role in God's divine plan. It signifies that despite humanity's radical sin and its dire consequences, God's original, good intentions for mankind—to flourish, reproduce, and exercise responsible stewardship—remain unwavering. This mandate is both a divine empowerment and a moral imperative, foundational for the survival and re-establishment of human civilization globally. It underpins the subsequent Noahic Covenant (Gen 9:8-17), which guarantees the stability of creation itself, enabling this command to be fulfilled. This command serves as the very engine for human existence, setting the stage for the diversification of peoples and languages that follow in Genesis.