Bible fact · Direct biblical statement
Not every animal went into the ark two by two
God told Noah to take seven pairs of every clean animal and one pair of the others. Genesis 7:2–3
Discover why
Genesis 6:19-20 speaks of two of every kind. Genesis 7:2-3 adds detail: "seven pairs of every clean animal... Of the animals that are not clean, take two", and seven pairs of the birds. Genesis 6:19–20Genesis 7:2–3
Genesis 7:8-9 then describes them going in "by pairs". The extra clean animals are connected with the sacrifice Noah offered after the flood. Genesis 7:8–9Genesis 8:20
Read the passage
Genesis 7:2–3 WEB
2You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female. 3Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth.
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For children
Many people think every animal went into the ark in twos. Genesis 7 says Noah took seven pairs of some animals and one pair of others.