Genesis 7:8-9

NASB	NLT	VOICE
8 Of clean animals and animals that are not clean and birds and everything that crawls on the ground,	8 With them were all the various kinds of animals – those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not – along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground.	8 Noah made sure to take along all of the animals (both ritually acceptable and unacceptable), the birds, and call the small creeping creatures
9 they all went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.	9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.	9 in pairs by males and females, just as God had told him to do. They all went into the ark with him, two by two.

Genesis 7:2-3

NASB	NLT	VOICE
2 You shall take with you seven pairs of every clean animal, a male and his female; and two of the animals that are not clean, a male and his female.	2 Take with you seven pairs – male and female – of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the others.	2 Take the animals with you. Take seven pairs of all ritually acceptable animals, both the male and female; and take one pair of any animal that isn’t acceptable, both the male and the female.
3 also of the birds of the sky, seven pairs, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.	3 Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood.	3 And take seven pairs of the birds of the sky, too, also male and female, so that we can keep each kind alive on the earth.

It’s All About the Animals

This may be one of the simplest contradictions to talk about. Is it even something to really discuss? People do get confused by why there’s a difference in how many animals are brought onto the ark. So many different explanations mentioned in these four verses:

• Seven pairs of every clean animal.
• Two pairs of every unclean animal.
• Two of every animal.

Now, based on the readings at face value, the command was to bring seven pairs of every clean animal and two pairs of every unclean animal. Verses 8-9 describes how they entered the ark – in pairs/two-by-two. The command is the focus here: seven pairs of clean animals, and 2 pairs of unclean animals. So, let’s talk more about all of this to see what’s going on.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Does it matter to you about how many animals enter the Ark?

Two of a Kind

The concept of the animals entering the ark “in pairs / in twos / two-by-two” represents the orderly and purposeful nature of God’s plan for preservation. It was a way to ensure each species can live on after the flood. The details of this show how God’s wisdom and care in creation works. The mention of the pairs being “male and female” show the importance of gender roles in the continuation of life. Similar to what Genesis 1:27 says, the distinction of genders is crucial for reproduction and the fulfillment of God’s command.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: The idea of one male and one female of each animal was a way to have God’s creation continue after this moment of judgment. How have you seen God’s judgment before you? How were you able to continue forward in the path that God called you to live through.

Completing the Need for Survival

The specification of seven pairs of clean animals indicates how important these animals will be for both sacrificial purposes and life-long continuation after the flood. It also includes the necessity of these animals for sacrifice and consumption. It’s a preview of the sacrificial system of Mosaic law and focuses on the importance of holiness and purity. Including a pair of unclean animals shows that there is a focus of preservation for all species.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: There was both a focus on the pairs of animals for sacrifice and survival to ensure that humanity could survive in the long term. When was a time that you had to sacrifice something in the short term, to ensure that you would be successful in the long term?

The Animals Came to Help Us

When it comes to the story of Noah’s Ark and the argument of how many animals were on board, we focus on the wrong thing. We always try to think about how and not focus on why. The animals were brought on board so that the livelihood of humanity could continue in the way that God needed them to live. The animals were brought to continue to live and flourish, much as humanity was called to do. The animals were brought to create a system of communication between God and his chosen people. It’s hard to wrap our minds around the concept that the animals were brought to die so that the sacrificial system could be used. We must remember that this was a cultural and historical norm at the time.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Animals are a crucial part of our society. Humans are called to ensure that their creation is taken care of properly. What is one thing we can do to help take care of the animals around us?

Next part: The Visibility of God || Contradicting the Word || Part 6