Genesis 7:9
ESV
two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah.
NIV
male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah.
NASB
they all went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.
CSB
two of each, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, just as God had commanded him.
NLT
They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.
KJV
There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.
NKJV
two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah.
What does Genesis 7:9 mean?
Verses 8 and 9 explain that what God has commanded to Noah, Noah does (Genesis 6:22; Genesis 7:5). This is a distinguishing aspect of Noah's character: his willingness to obey God (Genesis 6:9, 22). And, what God has told Noah will happen has happened. Genesis 6:20 indicated that God would send pairs of animals to Noah, in order to keep their species alive after the flood. After a week of last-minute preparation (Genesis 7:13), pairs of animals, both clean and unclean, along with the birds and insects ("creeping things"), entered the ark with Noah and his family. God's plan was under way. Life would be preserved in the midst of the destruction to come.Humanity, on the other hand, was doomed, other than Noah and his wife, and his sons and their wives (Genesis 7:7). The following verse is the fulfillment of God's dire prediction: a massive flood of water to purge earth of mankind's horrific sin (Genesis 6:5; 11–12).
