◄ Genesis 7:9 ►
came to Noah to enter the ark, two by two, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.
Study Bible
two by two
This phrase emphasizes the orderly and purposeful nature of God's instructions. The Hebrew root for "two" is "שְׁנַיִם" (shenayim), which signifies a pair or couple. The repetition of "two" underscores the completeness and balance in God's creation, reflecting His intention for preservation and continuity of life. The pairing also symbolizes unity and cooperation, essential for the survival and propagation of species.

they came to Noah
The phrase "they came" suggests a divinely orchestrated movement. The Hebrew verb "בּוֹא" (bo) means to come or enter, indicating that the animals were drawn to Noah by God's sovereign will. This highlights Noah's role as a faithful servant and steward, chosen by God to fulfill a critical part of His redemptive plan. It also reflects the obedience of creation to the Creator's command, a theme that runs throughout the biblical narrative.

into the ark
The ark, or "תֵּבָה" (tevah) in Hebrew, serves as a symbol of salvation and refuge. It represents God's provision and protection amidst judgment. The act of entering the ark signifies a transition from the old world, marked by sin and corruption, to a new beginning. The ark is a type of Christ, offering safety and deliverance to those who enter by faith.

male and female
This phrase underscores the importance of gender complementarity in God's design. The Hebrew words "זָכָר" (zakar) for male and "נְקֵבָה" (neqebah) for female highlight the distinct and complementary roles within creation. This pairing ensures the continuation of life and reflects the divine order established in Genesis 1:27. It also points to the broader biblical theme of partnership and unity in fulfilling God's purposes.

as God had commanded Noah
The phrase "as God had commanded" emphasizes obedience to divine instruction. The Hebrew word "צִוָּה" (tsavah) means to command or charge, indicating a directive from a higher authority. Noah's compliance with God's command reflects his righteousness and faith, as noted in Genesis 6:22. This obedience is a model for believers, illustrating the importance of trusting and following God's guidance, even when the path is not fully understood.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Noah
A righteous man chosen by God to build the ark and preserve life during the flood. He is a central figure in the account of Genesis 6-9.

2. The Ark
A large vessel constructed by Noah under God's instructions to save his family and pairs of every living creature from the flood.

3. The Animals
Various species of animals that came to Noah in pairs, male and female, to be preserved from the impending flood.

4. God
The Creator who commands Noah to build the ark and orchestrates the preservation of life through the flood.

5. The Flood
A cataclysmic event sent by God to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness, sparing only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
Noah's adherence to God's instructions serves as a model of faithful obedience. We are called to trust and follow God's guidance, even when it defies human logic or understanding.

Divine Provision and Order
The orderly procession of animals into the ark demonstrates God's sovereignty and provision. In our lives, we can trust that God orchestrates events for His purposes and our good.

Preparedness for God's Judgment
Just as Noah prepared for the flood, we are encouraged to live in readiness for Christ's return, maintaining a life of righteousness and faith.

The Importance of Male and Female
The specific mention of male and female pairs underscores the significance of God's design in creation, highlighting the complementary nature of genders in fulfilling His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Noah's obedience in Genesis 7:9 challenge us to respond to God's commands in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we see God's provision and order in the world around us, similar to the orderly entry of animals into the ark?

3. How does the account of Noah and the flood encourage us to live in readiness for Christ's return, as mentioned in Matthew 24:37-39?

4. What lessons can we learn from the preservation of male and female pairs in the ark about God's design for creation and relationships?

5. How does Hebrews 11:7 inspire us to act in faith, even when God's instructions seem daunting or unclear?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 6:19-20
These verses provide the initial command from God to Noah to bring pairs of animals into the ark, establishing the context for Genesis 7:9.

Matthew 24:37-39
Jesus references the days of Noah to illustrate the suddenness of His return, drawing a parallel between the unexpected nature of the flood and the coming of the Son of Man.

Hebrews 11:7
This verse highlights Noah's faith and obedience in building the ark, emphasizing his righteousness and trust in God's word.
Sermons
Realized SalvationR.A. Redford Genesis 7:7-16
People
Ham, Japheth, Noah, Shem
Places
Flood
Topics
Ark, Commanded, Entered, Female, Male, Noah, Pairs, Ship, Twos
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 7:1-24

     7203   ark, Noah's

Genesis 7:7-9

     5106   Noah
     7227   flood, the

Genesis 7:8-9

     7340   clean and unclean

Library
On Gen. vii. 6
On Gen. vii. 6 Hippolytus, the Syrian expositor of the Targum, has said: We find in an ancient Hebrew copy that God commanded Noah to range the wild beasts in order in the lower floor or storey, and to separate the males from the females by putting wooden stakes between them. And thus, too, he did with all the cattle, and also with the birds in the middle storey. And God ordered the males thus to be separated from the females for the sake of decency and purity, lest they should perchance get intermingled …
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Exhortations to those who are Called
IF, after searching you find that you are effectually called, I have three exhortations to you. 1. Admire and adore God's free grace in calling you -- that God should pass over so many, that He should pass by the wise and noble, and that the lot of free grace should fall upon you! That He should take you out of a state of vassalage, from grinding the devil's mill, and should set you above the princes of the earth, and call you to inherit the throne of glory! Fall upon your knees, break forth into …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Journey to Jerusalem. Ten Lepers. Concerning the Kingdom.
(Borders of Samaria and Galilee.) ^C Luke XVII. 11-37. ^c 11 And it came to pass, as they were on their way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. [If our chronology is correct, Jesus passed northward from Ephraim about forty miles, crossing Samaria (here mentioned first), and coming to the border of Galilee. He then turned eastward along that border down the wady Bethshean which separates the two provinces, and crossed the Jordan into Peræa, where we soon …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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