Genesis 7:2

2 Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,

Genesis 7:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate,
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the others.
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 "Take on board with you seven pairs of every clean animal, a male and a female; one pair of every unclean animal, a male and a female;
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee seven and seven, the male and his female; and of the beasts that are not clean two, the male and his female:
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal (a male and a female of each) and one pair of every kind of unclean animal (a male and a female).
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 You are to take with you seven pairs, a male and its female, of all the clean animals, and two of the animals that are not clean, a male and its female,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 "Take seven of every kind of 'clean' animal with you. Take male and female of them. Take two of every kind of animal that is not 'clean.' Take male and female of them.

Genesis 7:2 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 7:2

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens,
&c.] From hence it appears, that the distinction of clean and unclean beasts, at least for sacrifice, if not for food, was known before the flood, and so before the law of Moses; though some think this is said by anticipation, and as providing a large stock of such creatures for the propagation of their species; because they would be most serviceable to men both for food and sacrifice: but as it is certain that sacrifices were offered ever since the fall of man; by the same way, namely, by divine revelation, that men were taught to sacrifice creatures as typical of the sacrifice of Christ, they were directed what sort of creatures to offer, as were most suitable figures of him; those beasts that were clean, and used under the law, and so no doubt, at this time, were oxen, sheep, and goats: and these were to be taken into the ark by "sevens", or "seven seven" F16; either only three pairs, male and female, for procreation, and the seventh a male for sacrifice, when the flood was over; or rather fourteen, seven couple, an equal number of male and female, as Aben Ezra and Ben Gersom, that there might be enough for propagation; since a large number of them would be consumed, both for food and sacrifice: the male and his female,
or "the man and his wife" F17; which confirms the sense given, that there were seven pairs, or otherwise, if there had been an odd seventh, there would not have been a male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two,
or only two: the male and his female,
or "the man and his wife"; which was a number sufficient for the propagation of creatures neither used for food nor sacrifice; and many of which are harmful to mankind, as lions, wolves, tigers, bears


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hebv hebv) "septena septena", Pagninus, Montanus; "septem septem", Vatablus, Drusius.
F17 (wtvaw vya) "virum et uxorem ejus", Pagninus, Montanus.

Genesis 7:2 In-Context

1 The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.
2 Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,
3 and also seven pairs of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth.
4 Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.”
5 And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.

Cross References 1

  • 1. ver 8; Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 10:10; Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:3-20; Ezekiel 44:23; Haggai 2:12; Acts 10:14-15
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