Genesis 8:17

KJV

Bring 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Bring forth {H3318} with thee every living thing {H2416} that is with thee, of all flesh {H1320}, both of fowl {H5775}, and of cattle {H929}, and of every creeping thing {H7431} that creepeth {H7430} upon the earth {H776}; that they may breed abundantly {H8317} in the earth {H776}, and be fruitful {H6509}, and multiply {H7235} upon the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bring out with you every living thing you have with you — birds, livestock and every animal that creeps on the earth — so that they can swarm on the earth, be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible

Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 8:17 records God's explicit command to Noah to release all living creatures from the ark, marking a pivotal moment of divine initiative for the repopulation and restoration of the earth after the Great Flood. This divine mandate not only signifies the conclusion of the judgment phase but also underscores God's enduring will for life to thrive, be fruitful, and multiply, initiating a new era of creation's renewal and demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His original purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 8:17 functions as a crucial turning point in the post-Flood narrative. Following the global deluge and the ark's resting on the mountains of Ararat, the preceding verses detail the gradual recession of the waters and Noah's sending out of birds to test the earth's habitability. The divine remembrance of Noah and all living creatures in [Genesis 8:1](/genesis/8-1 "God's Remembrance of Noah") sets the stage for this command. This verse directly reverses God's earlier instruction to [bring the animals into the ark](/genesis/7-2-3 "God's Command to Bring Animals into the Ark"), now commanding their release. It is immediately followed by Noah's obedient act of disembarking the creatures in [Genesis 8:18-19](/genesis/8-18-19 "Noah's Obedience and the Animals' Release") and his subsequent offering of thanksgiving, which prompts God's covenant promise in [Genesis 8:20-22](/genesis/8-20-22 "Noah's Sacrifice and God's Promise"). Thus, Genesis 8:17 is the divine catalyst for the re-establishment of life and the unfolding of God's covenant with humanity and creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, catastrophic floods were a recurring motif in creation and re-creation myths, often depicting capricious deities. However, the biblical account of the Flood, culminating in Genesis 8:17, presents a stark contrast. Here, the one true God acts with purpose, justice, and ultimately, restorative grace. The command to "bring forth" and "multiply" echoes the original creation accounts in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "The Creation Account"), signaling a deliberate act of re-creation, not merely survival. The concept of a divine mandate for life to fill the earth was foundational to ancient Israelite understanding of God's design for order and abundance, emphasizing His sovereignty over all living things and His desire for the earth to be inhabited and fruitful.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights God's **Sovereignty over Creation and Judgment**, demonstrating His absolute control over life, death, and restoration. The command to "be fruitful and multiply" reintroduces the **Creation Mandate**, signifying God's enduring purpose for life on earth despite the judgment of the Flood, a theme reiterated in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's Blessing and Command to Noah"). It also underscores the theme of **New Beginnings and Restoration**, positioning the post-Flood world as a fresh start, a cleansed canvas for God's continued work. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **Covenantal Faithfulness**, as this divine instruction paves the way for the rainbow covenant established in [Genesis 9](/genesis/9 "The Noahic Covenant"), promising never again to destroy all life by flood.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bring forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ_ H3318):** This primitive root signifies "to go (causatively, bring) out" or "to issue forth." In this context, it emphasizes God's active, intentional command for Noah to initiate the release, rather than the animals simply leaving on their own accord. It highlights divine agency in the process of re-creation and the precise timing of this new beginning.
* **living thing (Hebrew, _chay_ H2416):** Derived from the root meaning "to live," this term encompasses all forms of animate existence. Its use here underscores the comprehensive nature of God's preservation and His plan for the re-establishment of life. It signifies that every single creature preserved on the ark, imbued with the breath of life, is now to be released to fulfill its purpose.
* **breed abundantly (Hebrew, _shârats_ H8317):** This root means "to wriggle," and by implication, "to swarm or abound." It conveys the idea of vigorous, prolific reproduction, emphasizing not just survival but an explosion of life. It speaks to the rapid and numerous increase of creatures, ensuring the swift repopulation of the earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh,"**: This initial clause is a direct, imperative command from God to Noah. "Bring forth" (yâtsâʼ) signifies Noah's active role as God's agent in this process. The phrase "every living thing... of all flesh" emphasizes the universality of the command, encompassing all categories of animate life that were preserved on the ark. It highlights the comprehensive scope of God's plan for renewal, leaving no category of creature behind.
* **"[both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth;"**: This section provides a detailed, inclusive enumeration of the types of creatures to be released. "Fowl," "cattle," and "creeping thing" represent the three broad categories of land-dwelling animals, ensuring that the command covers the entire spectrum of animal life. The repetition of "that creepeth" (râmas) for "creeping thing" (remes) underscores the nature of these smaller, often overlooked creatures, affirming God's care for all forms of life.
* **"that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth."**: This final clause states the explicit divine purpose for the release. The verbs "breed abundantly" (shârats), "be fruitful" (pârâh), and "multiply" (râbâh) are strong, overlapping terms that convey the idea of vigorous, prolific, and rapid increase. This echoes the original creation mandate found in [Genesis 1:22](/genesis/1-22 "God's Blessing to Sea Creatures and Birds") and [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "God's Blessing to Humanity"), signifying that despite the judgment of the Flood, God's original design for a vibrant, life-filled earth remains unchanged and is now being re-instituted. The repetition of "upon the earth" emphasizes the global scope of this repopulation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly with the phrase "upon the earth," which appears three times, underscoring the universal scope of the command and the re-establishment of life across the entire globe. **Merism** or **Inclusivity** is evident in the listing of "fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing," which serves to encompass all categories of land-dwelling animals, ensuring the comprehensiveness of God's restorative plan. The entire verse functions as a **Divine Command** or **Imperative**, highlighting God's sovereign authority and His direct involvement in orchestrating the new beginning for creation. The echo of the creation mandate's language ("be fruitful, and multiply") serves as an important **Allusion**, linking this post-Flood re-creation directly to the original act of creation, emphasizing continuity in God's purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 8:17 profoundly illustrates God's active and purposeful involvement in the restoration of His creation after judgment. It is a testament to His unwavering commitment to life and His original design for the earth to be filled with living beings. This divine command is not merely an instruction but an empowering word, enabling the very processes of life and growth to resume. It showcases God's intricate providence, orchestrating not just survival but flourishing, and sets the stage for the covenantal relationship He will establish with Noah and all living creatures, ensuring the stability and continuity of life on earth.

* [Genesis 1:22](/genesis/1-22 "God's Blessing and Command to Sea Creatures and Birds")
* [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's Blessing and Command to Noah After the Flood")
* [Psalm 104:30](/psalms/104-30 "God Renews the Face of the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 8:17 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that even after periods of profound destruction, loss, or personal difficulty, God consistently provides opportunities for new beginnings and growth. Just as Noah's release of the animals symbolized a fresh start for the entire earth, we are assured that God, in His sovereign power, can bring renewal out of desolation in our lives and circumstances. This passage also reinforces our enduring responsibility as stewards of God's creation, for Noah was tasked not merely with preserving life but with facilitating its repopulation and flourishing. This principle continues to call us to care for the natural world, recognizing its inherent value as God's handiwork and our role in its preservation and wise management. Ultimately, the verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's overarching plan for life to be abundant and to fill the earth persists through all circumstances, demonstrating His unwavering power and grace in preserving and restoring His creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's command to "bring forth" life after the Flood inspire hope in your own life during times of difficulty or perceived desolation?**
* **In what ways can we, as modern believers, actively participate in God's ongoing work of restoration and "fruitfulness" in our communities and the wider world?**
* **Considering the emphasis on "every living thing," what does this verse teach us about the value God places on all forms of life, and how might that impact our view of creation care?**

### FAQ
**Does God's command to "breed abundantly" apply to humans today?**

Answer: While Genesis 8:17 specifically addresses the animal kingdom, the underlying divine blessing and command to "be fruitful and multiply" (pârâh and râbâh) was originally given to both animals and humanity in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Original Creation Mandate") and powerfully reiterated to Noah and his descendants in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's Blessing and Command to Noah After the Flood"). This indicates a foundational divine purpose for humanity to procreate, fill the earth, and steward it. While modern contexts involve responsible family planning, the enduring principle remains: God values life, desires the flourishing of humanity, and calls us to contribute to the human family. The command speaks to a general divine desire for life to thrive and expand, both physically and, by extension, spiritually.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 8:17, with its emphasis on repopulation and a new beginning after judgment, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate new creation found in Jesus Christ. Just as God commanded life to multiply to fill the cleansed earth, Christ inaugurates a spiritual new creation, bringing humanity out of the judgment of sin into a new covenant of grace. Through His redemptive work, believers are made "new creatures" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")), called to "be fruitful" not merely physically but spiritually, bearing the fruit of the Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Fruit of the Spirit")) and multiplying the kingdom of God through the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission")). The ark's release of life points to Christ as the source of true life and renewal, the one in whom all things are reconciled and made new ([Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Christ as Creator and Reconciler")). Ultimately, this verse anticipates the glorious consummation of God's plan, where a redeemed humanity will inhabit the "new heavens and new earth" ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "The New Heaven and New Earth")), a spiritual lineage that will eternally fill God's renewed creation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 1:22

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Jeremiah 31:27

¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.

Jeremiah 31:28

And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

Genesis 9:1

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

Psalms 107:38

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

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 fowl of the air, 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.