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Genesis 9:1

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

Genesis 9:1 · King James Version

Meaning

In this verse from the Book of Genesis, God blesses Noah and his sons and instructs them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth. This command is seen as a continuation of God's plan for humanity, as Noah and his family were chosen to survive the great flood that wiped out all life on earth. By blessing them and giving them the mandate to populate the earth, God is entrusting them with the responsibility of repopulating and stewarding the earth. This verse is a reminder of God's covenant with humanity and his desire for his creation to thrive and flourish. It also highlights the importance of family, procreation, and cooperation in fulfilling God's plan for the world. Overall, this verse serves as a call to action for Noah and his sons to actively participate in the renewal and growth of the earth after the devastating flood.

Theological Overview

When God blessed Noah and his sons after the flood, He gave them a command that mirrors the original command He gave to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth. This command signifies God's desire for humanity to continue to populate the earth and fulfill His plan for creation. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the continuation of the human race. By being fruitful and multiplying, Noah and his sons were to play a crucial role in God's plan for the redemption and restoration of the earth. The word "replenish" in this context does not only refer to filling the earth with people, but also to the responsibility of cultivating and stewarding the earth and its resources. Overall, this verse showcases God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of humanity and His commitment to His original plan for creation.

Genesis 9:1 in other translations

American Standard Version

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

World English Bible

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

Douay-Rheims

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

Geneva Bible (1599)

And God blessed Noah and his sonnes, and said to them, Bring foorth fruite, and multiplie, and replenish the earth.