Genesis 6:19

19 "From everything living, from each kind of living being, you are to bring two into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they are to be male and female.

Genesis 6:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 6:19

And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort
shalt thou bring into the ark
That is, of fowls, cattle, and creeping things, as after explained; and two of each sort at least were to be brought, as Jarchi observes, and not fewer; though of the clean sort there were to be more, even seven, as after directed; and these were to be brought, that they might preserve their species, as it follows: to keep [them] alive with thee;
to be fed and nourished by him in the ark, while others perished by the flood, that so they might propagate their own species, and be continued, for which reason it is further ordered: they shall be male and female;
not any two, but one male and one female, for the end before mentioned.

Genesis 6:19 In-Context

17 "Then I myself will bring the flood of water over the earth to destroy from under heaven every living thing that breathes; everything on earth will be destroyed.

18 But I will establish my covenant with you; you will come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife and your sons' wives with you.

19 "From everything living, from each kind of living being, you are to bring two into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they are to be male and female.

20 Of each kind of bird, each kind of livestock, and each kind of animal creeping on the ground, two are to come to you, so that they can be kept alive.

21 Also take from all the kinds of food that are eaten, and collect it for yourself; it is to be food for you and for them."