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Genesis 9:1

Genesis 9:1 in Multiple Translations

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

And God gave his blessing to Noah and his sons, and said, Be fertile, and have increase, and make the earth full.

God blessed Noah and his sons, and told them, “Reproduce, increase, and spread throughout the earth!

And God blessed Noah and his sonnes, and said to them, Bring foorth fruite, and multiplie, and replenish the earth.

And God blesseth Noah, and his sons, and saith to them, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth;

God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth.

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

And God blessed Noe and his sons. And he said to them: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth.

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “I want you to have many children who will live all over the earth.

God was good to Noah and his sons. God said to them, “I want you to have lots of kids, and fill the earth with people.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 9:1

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 9:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יְבָ֣רֶךְ אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת נֹ֖חַ וְ/אֶת בָּנָ֑י/ו וַ/יֹּ֧אמֶר לָ/הֶ֛ם פְּר֥וּ וּ/רְב֖וּ וּ/מִלְא֥וּ אֶת הָ/אָֽרֶץ
וַ/יְבָ֣רֶךְ bârak H1288 to bless Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֱלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
נֹ֖חַ Nôach H5146 Noah N-proper
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM
בָּנָ֑י/ו bên H1121 son N-mp | Suff
וַ/יֹּ֧אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָ/הֶ֛ם Prep | Suff
פְּר֥וּ pârâh H6509 be fruitful V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וּ/רְב֖וּ râbâh H7235 to multiply Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וּ/מִלְא֥וּ mâlêʼ H4390 to fill Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 9:1

וַ/יְבָ֣רֶךְ bârak H1288 "to bless" Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
אֱלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נֹ֖חַ Nôach H5146 "Noah" N-proper
Noah, the patriarch who built the ark to save his family and two of every kind of animal from the flood, is the namesake of this Hebrew word. He is first mentioned in Genesis 5:29 as the son of Lamech. His story is a crucial part of biblical history.
Definition: A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.5.29; son of: Lamech (H3929H); father of: Shem (H8035), Ham (H2526) and Japheth (H3315) Also named: Nōe (Νῶε "Noah" G3575) § Noah = "rest" son of Lamech, father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth; builder of the ark which saved his family from the destruction of the world which God sent on the world by the flood; became the new seminal head of mankind because his family were the only survivors of the flood
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Noah. See also: Genesis 5:29; Genesis 8:11; Isaiah 54:9.
וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בָּנָ֑י/ו bên H1121 "son" N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וַ/יֹּ֧אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָ/הֶ֛ם "" Prep | Suff
פְּר֥וּ pârâh H6509 "be fruitful" V-Qal-Impv-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be fruitful or produce something, like a tree bearing fruit. It is used in a literal sense, but also figuratively, like in Genesis where God tells humans to be fruitful and multiply. It emphasizes growth and increase.
Definition: 1) to bear fruit, be fruitful, branch off 1a) (Qal) to bear fruit, be fruitful 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to bear fruit 1b2) to make fruitful 1b3) to show fruitfulness, bear fruit Also means: pa.ra (פָּרָא "be fruitful" H6500)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be, make) fruitful, grow, increase. See also: Genesis 1:22; Exodus 1:7; Psalms 105:24.
וּ/רְב֖וּ râbâh H7235 "to multiply" Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
וּ/מִלְא֥וּ mâlêʼ H4390 "to fill" Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אָֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

Study Notes — Genesis 9:1

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Genesis 9:7 But as for you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out across the earth and multiply upon it.”
2 Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
3 Genesis 8:17 Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.”
4 Genesis 1:22 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
5 Psalms 128:3–4 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table. In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD.
6 Isaiah 51:2 Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.
7 Genesis 10:32 All these are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their generations and nations. From these the nations of the earth spread out after the flood.
8 Genesis 2:3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.
9 Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
10 Genesis 9:19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated.

Genesis 9:1 Summary

[Genesis 9:1 is a beautiful reminder of God's love and provision for His people, as He blesses Noah and his sons and commands them to be fruitful and multiply. This means that God wants them to have many children and fill the earth with people who will worship and serve Him (as seen in Genesis 1:28). Just as God provided for Adam and Eve in the garden, He is now providing for Noah and his family after the flood, and promising to be with them as they start anew (see Genesis 8:20-22 and Psalm 121:1-2).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be fruitful and multiply in Genesis 9:1?

Being fruitful and multiplying in Genesis 9:1 means to have many children and fill the earth with people, as God had originally commanded Adam in Genesis 1:28. This command is a key part of God's plan to fill the earth with people who will worship and serve Him.

Is the command to be fruitful and multiply still applicable today?

While the specific command to fill the earth is not repeated in the New Testament, the principle of having children and raising them to know and love God is still an important part of Christian family life, as seen in Psalm 127:3-5 and Ephesians 6:1-4.

How does God's blessing on Noah and his sons relate to the rest of the Bible?

God's blessing on Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1 is part of a larger pattern of God's blessings on His people throughout the Bible, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3 and Galatians 3:8-9. This blessing is a reminder of God's love and provision for His people.

What is the significance of God speaking directly to Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1?

God speaking directly to Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1 emphasizes the importance of their role in repopulating the earth after the flood, and highlights God's personal involvement in their lives, as seen in Genesis 6:8-9 and Isaiah 41:8-10.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I can be fruitful and multiply in my own life, whether through having children or through other means of serving and loving others?
  2. How can I trust God to provide for me and my family, just as He provided for Noah and his sons after the flood?
  3. What are some ways that I can honor God's command to fill the earth with people who will worship and serve Him, in my own community and around the world?
  4. How can I balance the desire to have children and raise a family with the call to serve and love others, whether through singleness or other forms of ministry?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 9:1

And God blessed Noah and his sons,.... With temporal blessings, not spiritual ones; for though some of them were blessed with such, yet not all, particularly Ham: and said unto them, be fruitful and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 9:1

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And God blessed Noah and his sons.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 9:1

GENESIS CHAPTER 9 God renews his blessing, , and confirms our dominion over the creatures, . Grants flesh for food, but with the blood forbids it, . The penalty of murder, . God repeats his blessing, . His covenant with Noah and all his creatures, . Confirms it by the rainbow as his token, . Noah’ s three sons, . His employment, . He is drunk and uncovered, . Ham sinfully reveals it, . His other two sons going backwards, covered him, . Noah knows it, . Curses Canaan, . Blesses Shem first, , and then Japheth, . His age and death, . God renewed the old blessing and grant made , which might seem to be forfeited and made void by man’ s sin, and by God’ s judgment consequent upon it.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 9:1

Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.Ver. 1. Be fruitful and multiply.] Here God reneweth the world by the same word wherewith he had created it; and being reconciled to mankind, he blesseth them in like manner as before the fall. Sin once pardoned, is as if it never had been committed. Christ tells his returning Shulamite, that she was as amiable in every point as she had been before her relapse, her hair, teeth, temples, all as fair and well-featured as ever.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 9:1

IX.(1) God blessed Noah.—The blessing bestowed upon Noah, the second father of mankind, is exactly parallel to that given to our first father in Genesis 1:28-29; Genesis 2:16-17, with a significant addition growing out of the history of the past. There is the same command to fill the world with human life, and the same promise that the fear of man shall rest upon the whole animated creation; but this grant of dominion is so extended that the animals are now given to man for his food. But just as there was a restriction as regards Adam’s food, the fruit of the tree of knowledge being refused him, so now there is a prohibition against the eating of blood. The addition is the sanctity given to human life, with the evident object of guarding against such a disruption of the human race as was the result of Cain’s murder of Abel. Thus, then, man starts afresh upon his task of subjugating the earth, with increased empire over the animal world, and with his own life more solemnly guarded and made secure.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 9:1

CHAPTER IX God blesses Noah and his sons, 1. The brute creation to be subject to them through fear, 2. The first grant of animal food, 3. Eating of blood forbidden, 4. Cruelty to animals forbidden, 5. A man-slayer to forfeit his life, 6. The covenant of God established between him and Noah and the whole brute creation, 8-11. The rainbow given as the sign and pledge of this covenant, 12-17. The three sons of Noah people the whole earth, 18, 19. Noah plants a vineyard, drinks of the wine, is intoxicated, and lies exposed in his tent, 20, 21. The reprehensible conduct of Ham, 22. The laudable carriage of Shem and Japheth, 23. Noah prophetically declares the servitude of the posterity of Ham, 24, 25; and the dignity and increase of Shem and Japheth, 26, 27. The age and death of Noah, 28, 29. NOTES ON CHAP. IX Verse 1. God blessed Noah] Even the increase of families, which appears to depend on merely natural means, and sometimes fortuitous circumstances, is all of God. It is by his power and wisdom that the human being is formed, and it is by his providence alone that man is supported and preserved.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 9:1

1. And God blessed, &c.] The substance of this verse is a repetition of Gen 1:28. Another chapter in history is begun. As in chap. 1, after the Creation, a single pair confronted the whole earth and its animal world, so here, the single family of Noah is to “replenish the earth,” and receives a special blessing, the assurance of Divine favour. his sons …] The females are not mentioned, but, as often in the O.T., the wives are included in the mention of the husbands: cf. the Sethite Genealogy in chap. 5.

Barnes' Notes on Genesis 9:1

- The Blessing of Noah 2. מורא môrā', “fear, reverence, awful deed.” חת chat, “dread, breaking of the courage.” Noah is saved from the deluge. His life is twice given to him by God.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 9:1

THE WITH NOAH, Genesis 1:1-17. 1. God blessed Noah — Noah, as the second founder of the race, receives a renewal of the blessing and the promise given to Adam, (Genesis 1:28-29,) but modified by the

Sermons on Genesis 9:1

SermonDescription
Art Katz The Tent of Shem by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a radical message he gave as a young believer at a Full Gospel Businessmen's Conference. Despite facing backlash and criticism, the message
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 9:1-5 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of draining the blood from animals before consuming them, as it symbolizes the taking of life. The speaker also expresses his p
Art Katz God of the Nations - Part 2 by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding God's rule over his creation throughout redemption history. He refers to biblical events such as the flood an
Leonard Ravenhill The Sermon on the Mount - Part 6 by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher talks about the challenges and struggles faced by believers in the world. He emphasizes the importance of being anointed by the Holy Spirit and refers
J. Glyn Owen (Genesis #9) God in Covenant by J. Glyn Owen In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God wants to communicate His word to us and desires our comfort and service. The preacher highlights the covenant God made with all cre
Willie Mullan (Happenings Ahead) the Man of Sin and the Scarlet Woman 2 by Willie Mullan In this sermon, the preacher discusses the curse of slavery that was placed upon the descendants of Ham, specifically Canaan. He explains that the entire family of Ham was put into
Milton Green (The Church in the Last Days) 14 - Destruction of the Babylon by Milton Green In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of receiving revelation from the Word of God and being willing to challenge old traditions and wrong teachings. The audience i

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