Genesis 8:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord instructed Noah, his family, and all the animals to leave the ark, so that He would not experience great sorrow or be troubled by thoughts of living alone in the vast wilderness. God commanded them to "go out" from the ark and to "bring all with you," and He added for them to be fruitful and multiply on the earth. Observe how this righteous man receives the same blessing that Adam was given before the fall. Just as Adam, upon his creation, was told, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it" (Gen. 1:28), so Noah is commanded, "Be fruitful and multiply on the earth." This signifies that while Adam was the origin and foundation of those who lived before the flood, Noah serves as the leaven, the beginning and foundation of all who come after. Thus, from this point, human society is established, and the beauty of creation emerges - the earth becomes fruitful, and all other creatures are made to serve humanity.

Let us consider the following: Why did Noah and his family board the ark in this specific sequence—first Noah and his sons, followed by Noah's wife and the wives of his sons (See Gen. 6:18)? Did this order remain the same when they departed from the ark? Scripture states, “Thou shalt come out of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives.” This suggests that upon entering, there was a period of abstaining from procreation, while exiting marked the beginning of it. Initially, Noah and his sons entered first, followed by the women, indicating a separation of genders at the entrance, whereas upon exit, they were together. This sequence clearly demonstrated to the righteous man that the time was not for marital relations or pleasure, as they faced imminent ruin.

When God instructed Noah to enter the ark and safeguard the seed of peace, the command was clear: "Enter into the ark, you and your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives" (Gen. 7:7). In this directive, He distinguished between the men and women, allowing them to maintain their purity and avoid the impending deluge. Once the waters receded, the Lord said, "Come out of the ark, you and your wife, your sons, and your sons' wives" (Gen. 8:16). This instruction emphasizes the sanctity of marriage for the purpose of continuing the human lineage.

Let us therefore yield to His magnificent and glorious will, setting aside pride, conflict, and jealousy that lead to spiritual death. In humility, let us turn to His mercy, seeking His grace and compassion. We should consistently look to those who have served His splendid glory with perfection. Consider Enoch, who, through his faithfulness, was deemed righteous and passed away without experiencing death. Similarly, Noah was found to be faithful; through his diligent service, he proclaimed renewal to the world, and through him, the Lord preserved the animals that entered the ark.

In a manner reminiscent of how God safeguarded Noah's ark and its occupants during the great flood, so too will He protect Peter's Church and all its members when the culmination of the age arrives. Just as the dove returned to Noah's ark with a message of peace after the waters receded, Christ will impart the gift of tranquility to Peter’s Church following the final judgment, for He embodies peace, as affirmed in the promise: I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice (John 16:22).

Let them be abundant and increase upon the earth. It is suggested by some that within the ark, neither humans nor animals reproduced, seemingly in anticipation of their fate and a renewed blessing for a fresh creation.

Though Noah may have sensed that the moment had come to exit the ark, he refrained from taking action on his own accord. Instead, he exhibited humility and patience before God, waiting for divine instruction. When God commanded Noah to leave the ark, He swiftly sought to restore the blessing bestowed upon humanity and animals during creation, encouraging them to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:22-28). This indicates that during the flood, neither humans nor the animals within the ark engaged in reproduction, as they awaited a fresh blessing from God to do so. Procreation was not allowed within the ark to prevent overcrowding among its inhabitants and to conserve their food supplies.