Genesis 9:7

Back to Genesis 9

7 Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.” Genesis 9:7WEB}}

Classification

The Command[/Principle]

This passage contains a positive command, directed either all creation, or toward Noah and his family: "be ye fruitful, and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.".

Categories

This command is part of the Moral Law. It is a repeat of the command in Genesis 9:1. It is relevant to our understanding of Biblical Sexuality and the Family.

Fulfillment

This command is abiding in function. All creatures continue to be fruitful and multiply on the earth.

Topics

This command/principle has direct relevance to an understanding of the following topics:

• Sexuality
• Family

Notes on Interpretation/Application

Target Audience

The target audience for this particular statement of the command is ambiguous in English translations -- the "you" in this passage may be the "you" in Genesis 5 (which is Noah's family); or, whereas Genesis 9:5 clarifies that the command in Genesis 6 is relevant to animals as well as humans, and whereas Genesis 9:8 explicitly focuses its target audience on Noah, the "you" in this verse may be directed toward the same audience as Genesis 9:6, animals and humans alike. In either case, the command has already been given to animals and humans independently in Genesis 1, and so the restatement only serves to emphasize an existing requirement. An assessment of the target audience for this particular statement does not affect our interpretation of the Law.