Genesis 7:2
You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate; a pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate;
You are to take with you
This phrase indicates a direct command from God to Noah, emphasizing obedience and divine instruction. The Hebrew root for "take" is "laqach," which implies receiving or fetching. This command underscores the active role Noah must play in God's plan, highlighting the partnership between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

seven pairs of every kind of clean animal
The specification of "seven pairs" is significant, as it goes beyond the typical pair of animals. The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection, suggesting that God's provision is thorough and abundant. The term "clean" refers to animals that were later deemed suitable for sacrifice and consumption according to Levitical law, though these laws were not yet given. This anticipates the sacrificial system and points to the importance of purity and holiness in worship.

a male and its mate
This phrase emphasizes the importance of preserving the species through procreation. The Hebrew word for "male" is "zakar," and "mate" is "neqebah," highlighting the complementary nature of male and female in God's creation. This reflects the creation mandate in Genesis 1:28 to "be fruitful and multiply," underscoring the continuity of life even amidst judgment.

a pair of every kind of unclean animal
In contrast to the clean animals, only one pair of each unclean animal is taken. The distinction between clean and unclean animals is foundational for understanding later Jewish dietary laws. The Hebrew word for "unclean" is "tame," which conveys the idea of impurity or defilement. This distinction foreshadows the separation between holy and common, clean and unclean, which is a recurring theme in Scripture.

a male and its mate
Reiterating the earlier phrase, this repetition underscores the importance of preserving life through pairs. It also highlights God's care for all His creation, even those deemed unclean. The preservation of both clean and unclean animals demonstrates God's comprehensive plan for the post-flood world, ensuring ecological balance and the continuation of all species.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Noah
A righteous man chosen by God to survive the flood and preserve life on earth. He is tasked with building the ark and gathering the animals.

2. Clean and Unclean Animals
Categories of animals distinguished by God, with clean animals being suitable for sacrifice and consumption according to later Mosaic Law.

3. The Ark
The large vessel constructed by Noah under God's instructions to save his family and the animals from the flood.

4. The Flood
A divine judgment sent by God to cleanse the earth of its widespread wickedness, sparing only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark.

5. God
The Creator who communicates with Noah, providing specific instructions for the preservation of life and the continuation of His covenant with humanity.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Instructions
Noah's careful adherence to God's commands demonstrates the importance of obedience in our walk with God. We are called to trust and follow God's guidance, even when it may not make sense to us.

Distinction and Holiness
The distinction between clean and unclean animals points to the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation. As believers, we are called to live lives that are set apart for God's purposes.

Preparation and Provision
God's detailed instructions to Noah show His provision and care for His creation. We are reminded that God equips us with what we need to fulfill His purposes.

Faith in Action
Noah's actions were a testament to his faith. Our faith should likewise be evident in our actions, as we live out our beliefs in practical ways.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Noah's obedience to God's instructions in Genesis 7:2 challenge us in our daily walk with God?

2. What can we learn from the distinction between clean and unclean animals about living a life that is pleasing to God?

3. How does the concept of preparation in Genesis 7:2 apply to our spiritual lives today?

4. In what ways does Noah's faith, as demonstrated in this passage, inspire us to put our faith into action?

5. How do the themes of Genesis 7:2 connect with the broader account of God's covenant with humanity throughout the Bible?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 11
This chapter provides detailed laws regarding clean and unclean animals, offering insight into the distinctions mentioned in Genesis 7:2.

Genesis 6:19-20
These verses describe God's initial command to Noah to bring animals into the ark, setting the stage for the more detailed instructions in Genesis 7:2.

Hebrews 11:7
This verse highlights Noah's faith and obedience, which are central themes in the account of the flood.

Acts 10:9-16
Peter's vision of clean and unclean animals symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles, reflecting the broader spiritual significance of these categories.
A Family SermonSpurgeon, Charles HaddonGenesis 7:1-3
A Whole Family in HeavenThe Homiletic ReviewGenesis 7:1-3
Christ not an Insecure RefugeG. S. Bowes.Genesis 7:1-3
Entering into Christ as into an ArkD. L. Moody.Genesis 7:1-3
God's Invitation to the Families of the GoodJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 7:1-3
Noah and the ArkC. Ness.Genesis 7:1-3
Safety in the ArkG. Burder.Genesis 7:1-3
The Ark CompletedJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 7:1-3
The Ark; a Word to ParentsHomilistGenesis 7:1-3
The Closed ArkG. Gilfillan.Genesis 7:1-3
The DelugeHomilistGenesis 7:1-3
The Eve of the FloodA. Fuller.Genesis 7:1-3
The Family in the ArkD. L. Moody.Genesis 7:1-3
The House in the ArkJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 7:1-3
The Illustrious OneBenson Bailey.Genesis 7:1-3
The Whole Family in the ArkT. de Witt Talmage.Genesis 7:1-3
True Moral RectitudeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Genesis 7:1-3
God the Savior Inviting FaithR.A. Redford Genesis 7:1-6
People
Ham, Japheth, Noah, Shem
Places
Flood
Topics
Animal, Animals, Beast, Beasts, Clean, Female, Females, Kind, Male, Males, Mate, Pair, Pairs, Seven, Sevens, Unclean
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 7:2

     1651   numbers, 1-2
     7340   clean and unclean
     7424   ritual law
     8325   purity, nature of

Genesis 7:1-3

     1347   covenant, with Noah

Genesis 7:1-4

     7227   flood, the

Genesis 7:1-24

     7203   ark, Noah's

Genesis 7:2-3

     4017   life, animal and plant

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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