and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to preserve their offspring on the face of all the earth.
Parallel translations
- WEB Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth.
- KJV Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.
- NKJV also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth.
- NASB also of the birds of the sky, seven pairs, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.
- NLT Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Noah is also to take seven pairs of birds to keep their kinds alive on the earth. God ensures the survival of every kind.
Overview
The added provision for birds again secures the continuation of life and supplies for later worship. "To keep seed alive" underscores God's purpose to preserve creation through the judgment. God's meticulous care for even the birds reflects his faithfulness to his creation and foreshadows new life beyond the waters.
Cross-references & the web
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 7:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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