Genesis 7:2

Afrikaans 1933/1953

Van al die rein diere moet jy vir jou telkens sewe paar neem, die mannetjie met sy wyfie; maar van die diere wat nie rein is nie, twee, die mannetjie met sy wyfie.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, God is instructing Noah to take seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean animals onto the ark. The clean animals are for sacrifice and unclean ones are to preserve their species. This shows God's plan for preservation and future sacrifices.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a box of toys. Some toys you play with a lot and some you don't. Noah was told to bring more of the toys he played with a lot (clean animals) and just a couple of the others (unclean animals) to keep them safe during the big flood. God wanted to make sure there would always be animals for people to take care of.

Historical Background

This verse is from the book of Genesis, written by Moses around 1446-1406 BC. It was written for the Israelites to understand God's instructions to Noah before the great flood. The concept of clean and unclean animals was significant in ancient Near Eastern cultures for ritual and dietary practices.

Living It Out Today

Today, this verse can remind us of the importance of planning and preparation. Just as Noah prepared for the flood by taking animals on the ark, we should think ahead and be ready for unexpected situations in our lives.

Topics

• faith
• obedience
• preservation
• sacrifice
• covenant
• flood

Related Verses

• Genesis 8:20
• Leviticus 11:1-47
• Deuteronomy 14:3-21
• 1 Peter 3:20
• Hebrews 11:7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God instruct Noah to take seven pairs of clean animals?

God instructed Noah to take seven pairs of clean animals because these animals were used for sacrifice. This ensured enough animals would remain for future sacrifices after the flood.

What are clean and unclean animals?

Clean animals were those considered acceptable for sacrifice and consumption according to Jewish dietary laws. Unclean animals were not allowed to be eaten or used in sacrifices.

How does this verse show Noah's obedience?

This verse shows Noah's obedience by highlighting that he followed God's specific instructions on how many animals to take onto the ark, showing his trust and submission to God's will.

What can we learn about God's planning from this verse?

This verse teaches us that God plans ahead and provides detailed instructions to ensure the survival of His creatures. It reflects His foresight and care for His creation.