Genesis 7:8

Of clean beasts, and of beasts that [are] not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth,

Of clean {H2889} beasts {H929}, and of beasts {H929} that are not clean {H2889}, and of fowls {H5775}, and of every thing that creepeth {H7430} upon the earth {H127},

Of clean animals, of animals that are not clean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground,

The clean and unclean animals, the birds, and everything that crawls along the ground

Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creepeth upon the ground,

Commentary

Genesis 7:8 lists the various categories of animals that came into Noah's Ark, highlighting the comprehensive scope of God's plan for preserving life through the Great Flood.

Context

This verse is part of the detailed account in Genesis chapters 6-8 describing God's command to Noah to build the ark and gather representatives of all land-dwelling creatures. It follows God's specific instructions to Noah about the types and numbers of animals to bring aboard (Genesis 6:19-20, Genesis 7:2-3). Verse 8 simply states that these animals entered the ark as commanded, encompassing the full range of terrestrial life.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Fulfillment: The verse implicitly demonstrates Noah's faithful obedience to God's detailed instructions, ensuring that every required type of animal was included in the ark.
  • God's Preservation of Creation: By bringing these diverse groups into the ark, God was actively preserving the various species of animal life from the impending global judgment of the Flood, ensuring the continuation of life on Earth.
  • Early Distinction of Clean/Unclean: The mention of "clean beasts" alongside those "not clean" indicates that a distinction between animals, likely for purposes related to sacrifice or worship, existed even before the detailed Mosaic Law given later in books like Leviticus 11.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for "clean" (ṭāhôr) and "not clean" (ṭāmê') used here are standard biblical terms denoting ritual or dietary purity. Their appearance in this early narrative suggests that some form of ritual classification of animals predated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, possibly related to the practice of sacrifice (as seen in Genesis 8:20).

Reflection

Genesis 7:8 reminds us of God's comprehensive plan and meticulous attention to detail, even in the midst of judgment. His command covered all categories of land animals, ensuring that nothing He intended to preserve was left behind. This highlights His sovereignty over all creation and His faithfulness to His promises, even when the world faced complete upheaval.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.