Devine Scripture

Genesis 9:7

What does Genesis 9:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 9:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 9:7 means

God reiterates the blessing and command for Noah and his sons to be fruitful, multiply, and abundantly fill the earth. This repetition emphasizes the divine priority for humanity to repopulate and spread across the globe after the flood. It serves as a powerful affirmation of God's desire for life and growth, ensuring the continuation of the human race and its dominion over creation. This renewed mandate signifies a fresh start, urging active participation in God's plan for a renewed world.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And now, be fertile and have increase; have offspring on the earth and become great in number.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And ye, be fruitful and multiply, teem in the earth, and multiply in it.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But increase you and multiply, and go upon the earth and fill it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And ye, be fruitful and multiply: swarm on the earth, and multiply on it.

Context

This verse serves as a concluding affirmation of the initial blessing and command given in verse 1, effectively bookending God's instructions regarding human dominion over creation and the sanctity of life. It provides a natural transition from the specific laws concerning diet and justice to the broader covenant God is about to establish. This repetition reinforces the primary purpose for saving Noah's family: to repopulate the earth under God's renewed order.

v.6Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

v.7This passage

v.8And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

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 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 9:1

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

  • Genesis 9:19

    These three were the sons of Noah: and of these was the whole earth overspread.

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