share torah logo

Genesis 7:2 - Clean animals: seven pairs?

Genesis 7:2 - בראשית 7:2

Hebrew Text

מִכֹּל הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהוֹרָה תִּקַּח־לְךָ שִׁבְעָה שִׁבְעָה אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא טְהֹרָה הִוא שְׁנַיִם אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ׃

English Translation

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, male and female: and of beasts that are not clean by twos, male and female.

Transliteration

Mikol habeheima hatehora tikach-lecha shiv'a shiv'a ish ve'ishto umin-habeheima asher lo tehorah hi shnayim ish ve'ishto.

Hebrew Leining Text

מִכֹּ֣ל <b>׀</b> הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה תִּֽקַּח־לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה הִ֛וא שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃
מִכֹּ֣ל ׀ הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה תִּֽקַּח־לְךָ֛ שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וּמִן־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁ֠ר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה הִ֛וא שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Source and Context

The verse (Bereshit 7:2) is part of Hashem's command to Noach regarding the animals to be brought onto the Teivah (Ark) before the Mabul (Flood). It distinguishes between טהורה (clean) and לא טהורה (non-clean) animals, specifying different quantities for each.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 7:2) explains that the "clean beasts" (בהמה טהורה) refer to those species later permitted for consumption under Jewish law (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats). The number "seven pairs" (שבעה שבעה) was commanded:

  • To allow Noach to offer sacrifices after the Flood (as he later does in Bereshit 8:20).
  • To ensure their survival, as some might perish or be needed for sustenance during the year in the Ark.

Rashi notes that the non-clean animals were taken in pairs (שנים) since they would not be used for sacrifices or consumption.

Ramban's Additional Insights

Ramban (Bereshit 7:2) elaborates that the distinction between clean and non-clean animals predates the Torah's formal laws of kashrut (given at Har Sinai). This demonstrates that certain spiritual classifications existed even in earlier generations. The extra clean animals were also a reward for Noach's righteousness, ensuring he had ample resources for divine service.

Talmudic and Midrashic Perspectives

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 32:8) states that the clean animals came willingly to Noach, while the non-clean ones required capture—a sign of their lesser spiritual status. The Talmud (Chullin 16b) derives from this verse that the concept of טומאה and טהרה (ritual purity) applies to animals, not just humans.

Halachic Implications

Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 1:1) cites this verse as proof that Noach and his descendants were commanded regarding forbidden animals, even before Matan Torah. The seven pairs underscore the importance of preserving species fit for divine service and human use according to Hashem's will.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 108b
The verse is discussed in the context of Noah's ark and the distinction between clean and unclean animals.
📖 Zevachim 116a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the types of animals that were brought as sacrifices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'clean beast' and 'not clean beast' mean in Genesis 7:2?
A: In Genesis 7:2, 'clean beasts' (בְּהֵמָה הַטְּהוֹרָה) refer to animals that are kosher and permitted for consumption according to Jewish law, such as cows and sheep. 'Not clean beasts' (בְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא טְהֹרָה) are non-kosher animals, like pigs and camels. This distinction is later detailed in the Torah's laws of kashrut (e.g., Leviticus 11). Rashi explains that Noach knew these categories through tradition, even before the formal laws were given at Sinai.
Q: Why did Noach take more clean animals (7 pairs) than unclean animals (1 pair)?
A: Noach took seven pairs of clean animals to ensure their survival for future sacrifices (as Rashi notes) and to repopulate the earth after the flood. Since clean animals could be used for offerings (like those Noach later brought in Genesis 8:20), more were needed. Unclean animals, which couldn’t be sacrificed, were only required in minimal pairs for species preservation.
Q: How does this verse connect to later Jewish practices?
A: This verse establishes an early concept of distinguishing between pure (טהור) and impure (טמא) animals, which later becomes central to Jewish dietary laws (kashrut). The Rambam (Hilchot Ma’achalot Asurot) explains that these categories were known to the patriarchs and formalized at Mount Sinai. The extra clean animals also hint at the importance of korbanot (sacrifices), a key part of Temple service.
Q: Why specify 'male and female' for the animals?
A: The Torah emphasizes 'male and female' to show that the animals were brought in breeding pairs to repopulate the earth after the flood (as Ibn Ezra explains). This mirrors the creation narrative (Genesis 1:24–28), where animals and humans were created in pairs to perpetuate life. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 32:8) also notes this as an act of divine compassion to preserve all species.