Genesis 7:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He relied on the innate understanding bestowed by God in creation, enabling his intellect to make this determination. According to divine perspective, nothing God created is unclean. It raises a profound inquiry: how can we label any creature as unclean when God has declared that everything He made is "very good" (Gen. 1:31)?

Yet, human nature has imposed its own distinctions. Even today, in various cultures, some regard certain items as unclean and others do not. This indicates that the righteous One's innate knowledge guided him in identifying which animals were suitable for consumption and which were wrongly considered unclean. For instance, why do we view a donkey as unclean despite its strict seed diet, while permitting the consumption of other four-legged animals that may eat less clean substances? The wisdom given by God serves as our guide in this matter. Furthermore, it may also be argued that God directly imparted to Noah the understanding needed to differentiate between clean and unclean animals.

Now, having discussed the clean and unclean, another question arises: why were only two of each unclean animal commanded to enter the ark, while seven of each clean animal were to be included? Moreover, why seven specifically? While our discussion may be lengthy, if I may engage your patience, we will endeavor to clarify this loving inquiry with the assistance of God’s grace. Many have spun elaborate tales regarding this, speculating about numbers; however, this speculation often stems from misguided curiosity that has fueled various heresies.

We find that pairs frequently appear in Scripture. For example, when Jesus sent His disciples to preach, He sent them "two by two" (Mark 6:7), with twelve in total, and the gospels amount to four. But there’s no need to delve too deeply into these matters with you, for you are already well-informed to dismiss such empty discussions.

It is necessary to contemplate why God commanded that "seven by seven" of the clean animals be brought into the ark. God’s intent was to provide comfort to the righteous man and those who would partake of these animals with him. The instruction to bring in seven signifies the righteous man's devotion to God. The Lord, in His mercy, recognized Noah’s goodness and knew that, having experienced the Lord’s immense love and having survived the flood, he would wish to express his thankfulness through sacrifice upon exiting the ark. To prevent the sacrifice from depleting pairs unnecessarily, God commanded that seven of every kind of clean bird be brought in, allowing Noah to show gratitude without jeopardizing the animal pairs. This will be made clearer in subsequent teachings where we will see that the righteous man did exactly this.

Thus, you have now learned the reasoning behind the command to bring “seven in number” of clean animals into the ark. Be cautious, therefore, not to be swayed by fables that, in contradiction to Holy Scripture, introduce human fabrications into divine teaching.

Yet, should you dwell within, you shall be safeguarded outside, for where reason holds sway, there flourish good thoughts and righteous deeds. If the mind remains unclouded by vices, then its thoughts radiate light.

Let us now reflect on why God commands Noah to board the ark and to gather seven of each kind of clean animals, male and female, alongside two of each sex from the unclean animals, in order to preserve life for the entire earth. This number seven is significant as it denotes purity and sanctity, being unattached to any mixture, and not borne from another. It is referred to as virgin, as it engenders nothing by itself, remaining untouched by both maternal creation and union with a female. Thus, this virginity, while expressed through a feminine term, embodies the masculine virtue of sanctity, for every male being that unveils the hidden is termed holy by the Lord. The prophet notes: she was permitted a son, signifying holiness (Isaiah 66:7). In contrast, the number two lacks completeness, as it is vulnerable to division; thus, what is incomplete holds nothingness within. Conversely, the number seven signifies completeness, being akin to ten, reflective of the first, from which all virtues, each in its own form, emanate and thrive.

God directed Noah to bring only two of each unclean species, male and female, alongside seven of the clean ones, as He intended for the clean animals to flourish on the earth for humanity’s sustenance. Among the seven clean animals were three pairs, male and female, while the seventh was also male, designated for sacrifice to God by Noah after the flood. Recognizing this, we are moved to praise the merciful Providence of God for humanity, for though He chose one animal for His own sacrifice, He provided six for mankind.

When Noah offered sacrifices from all clean beasts and birds after the flood, as stated in Genesis 8:20, one might reasonably conclude that only sacrificial animals, specifically the five types outlined in the law, were brought into the ark. This is because otherwise Noah's sacrifices would have been unprecedented in both quality and quantity. It appears that the intent of bringing a greater number of pure animals was not solely for sacrifice but also for food, as sacrificial animals have historically also served dietary purposes.

The question arises, how could Noah identify clean creatures prior to the law's provisions and before they were used for consumption? It could be due to their inherent nature; in the intricate balance of creation, man finds reflections of his own essence among various animals; some exhibit qualities that make them particularly amiable and appropriate for human use, thus appearing more pure. The sevenfold entry of these animals into the ark may have been inspired by divine prompting, consistent with the traditions of sacrificial beings since the dawn of creation.

The arrangement of seven, or "seven seven" as expressed in Hebrew, in the context of saving pure animals seems at odds with the accounts elsewhere, where it indicates that other animals were saved two by two (Genesis 6:19; 7:9, 15). However, this discrepancy is reconciled when considering that "two two" can refer to pairs without specifying quantity (as seen in Mark 6:7, 39, 40), meaning both pairs and counts. Thus, the general phrase "two two" indicates they were to be taken in pairs, while in the distinction of clean and unclean, "seven seven" refers specifically to the quantity of animals rather than their pairings by gender.

Some interpret that the phrase "two two," following traditional Hebrew meaning, should refer to a singular pair for unclean creatures, while for clean animals, "seven seven" implies seven individuals of each kind, not differentiated by sex. Hence, it may suffice that the clean animals were brought in pairs, comprising both male and female for reproduction. Various interpretations suggest that each species of clean animals included three pairs for reproduction and one for sacrifice, a theory that aligns with the context.

The distinction between clean and unclean animals is delineated in the Mosaic Law: the clean refer to the animals and birds that are designated for sacrifice and permissible for consumption—such as a bull, a sheep, and a goat among the former, and a domestic pigeon along with a turtledove and a wild pigeon among the latter. Additionally, there are various four-legged creatures and birds designated solely for consumption and excluded from sacrifice, such as fallow deer and roe deer. The law unequivocally states which animals are unclean, forbidding their use in sacrifices or as food. A pair of unclean animals must be preserved in the ark solely for the purpose of species continuation, while a larger number of clean animals is required not only for reproduction but also for offerings of gratitude that Noah will present following the flood, as indicated in Genesis 8:20, and for sustenance, since after the flood, God will grant humanity the ability to consume meat (Genesis 9:2). The question arises, how could Noah differentiate between clean and unclean animals prior to the legal definitions provided? It is reasonable to surmise that Noah may have received a specific revelation from God. Yet, the distinction between sacrificial and non-sacrificial animals was likely known to humankind from the earliest days of human existence, also imparted through divine revelation. For if God instructed humanity to offer sacrifices even before the flood, it stands to reason that He also informed them which animals were meant for sacrifice. The Law of Moses merely reaffirmed what had been revealed before.