Devine Scripture

Genesis 9:1

What does Genesis 9:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 9:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 9:1 means

After the immense judgment of the flood, God pronounces a blessing on Noah and his sons, echoing the original command given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28. This verse signifies a fresh start for humanity, emphasizing the divine mandate to fill the earth and propagate life. It highlights God's continued purpose for humanity to be stewards and occupants of His creation, even after such a catastrophic cleansing. This blessing reassures Noah's family of God's enduring favor and their vital role in continuing the human race and stewarding the renewed earth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God gave his blessing to Noah and his sons, and said, Be fertile, and have increase, and make the earth full.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God blesseth Noah, and his sons, and saith to them, `Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God blessed Noe and his sons. And he said to them: Increase, and multiply, and fill the earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.

Context

This verse opens the post-flood narrative, immediately following the ark's landing and Noah's offering to God. It initiates a new covenant and a renewed set of instructions for humanity, setting the tone for the entire chapter. This blessing introduces the themes of divine command, human responsibility, and the re-establishment of life on earth after an unprecedented global judgment, providing a foundational frame for understanding the subsequent verses.

v.1This passage

v.2And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the heavens; with all wherewith the ground teemeth, and all the fishes of the sea, into your hand are they delivered.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 8:17

    Bring 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.

  • Genesis 24:60

    And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 9:7

    And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.

  • Genesis 10:32

    These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and of these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

  • Genesis 2:3

    And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made.

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