Genesis 8:17
What does Genesis 8:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 8:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 8:17 means
God's instruction extends beyond Noah's family to include every living creature that was preserved in the ark. The command for them to "breed abundantly... be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth" reiterates the original creation mandate from Genesis 1. This emphasizes God's intention to fully restore life on earth, not just for humanity but for all animal kinds. It highlights God's ongoing plan for biodiversity and the repopulation of the planet, underscoring His covenant with all living things.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee of all flesh, both birds, and cattle, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee of all flesh, both birds, and cattle, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Take out with you every living thing which is with you, birds and cattle and everything which goes on the earth, so that they may have offspring and be fertile and be increased on the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they have teemed in the earth, and been fruitful, and have multiplied on the earth.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752All living things that are with thee of all flesh, as well in fowls as in beasts, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, bring out with thee, and go ye upon the earth: increase and multiply upon it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Bring forth with thee every animal which is with thee, of all flesh, fowl as well as cattle, and all the creeping things which creep on the earth, that they may swarm on the earth, and may be fruitful and multiply on the earth.
Context
Expanding on the command for Noah's family to exit (verse 16), this verse broadens the scope to include all the animals. It provides the divine purpose for their release—to multiply and replenish the earth—echoing the creation mandate. This instruction sets the stage for the physical act of emptying the ark and the re-establishment of animal life on the now-dry land, preparing for Noah's subsequent act of worship.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 144:13
Whenour garners are full, affording all manner of store, Andour sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
- Jeremiah 31:27
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
- Psalms 107:38
He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
- Genesis 1:22
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.
- Genesis 7:14
they, and every beast after its kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort.
- Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
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