Genesis 7:16

16 En die er kwamen, die kwamen mannetje en wijfje, van alle vlees, gelijk als hem God bevolen had. En de HEERE sloot achter hem toe.

Genesis 7:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 7:16

And they that went in, went in male and female of all
flesh
These pairs were not two males or two females, but one male and one female; so they were coupled for the propagation of their species, which was the end of their entering into the ark, and being preserved: as God had commanded him:
Noah, who took care, as they entered, that there were so many of a sort as was enjoined, and these were male and female: and the Lord shut him in;
or shut the door after him ^F12, he being the last that entered; and which he could not so well shut himself, at least so close, as was done by the Lord, or by the angels; and this was done to keep out the waters, and all within in safety; and to shut out others, and preserve Noah from the rage of wicked men, as well as the violence of the waters: some ^F13 have thought that not so much the door of the ark is meant, as the way to it, the pensile bridge which was necessary for the creatures to enter the ark; which being carried away by the force of the waters near the ark, that not being joined to it, precluded all access of the scoffers, whose scoffs were soon turned to lamentation and howling.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 (wdeb) "post ipsum", Vatablus, Tigurine version, Cocceius, Schmidt. "Pone eum", Piscator.
F13 Scheuchzer. Physica Sacra, vol. 1. p. 45.

Genesis 7:16 In-Context

14 Zij, en al het gedierte naar zijn aard, en al het vee naar zijn aard, en al het kruipend gedierte, dat op de aarde kruipt, naar zijn aard, en al het gevogelte naar zijn aard, alle vogeltjes van allerlei vleugel.

15 En van alle vlees, waarin een geest des levens was, kwamen er twee en twee tot Noach in de ark.

16 En die er kwamen, die kwamen mannetje en wijfje, van alle vlees, gelijk als hem God bevolen had. En de HEERE sloot achter hem toe.

17 En die vloed was veertig dagen op de aarde, en de wateren vermeerderden, en hieven de ark op, zodat zij oprees boven de aarde.

18 En de wateren namen de overhand, en vermeerderden zeer op de aarde; en de ark ging op de wateren.