Genesis 9:7
“Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.””
What does Genesis 9:7 mean?
God's command here is a reminder that having children and building families is a blessing, not a burden to be resented. After the flood, when humanity was starting over, God wanted the earth populated again, so he blessed Noah and his sons with the ability to create new life and the encouragement to do so. For people in the original audience, this would have felt like a generous gift after such devastating loss. Today, this verse speaks to something deeper than just the practical need for population growth. It affirms that life itself, and the families we form, are valued as good in God's sight. Whether you're raising children, building a spiritual family, or nurturing growth in other ways, the principle suggests that multiplying blessing and life in the world matters.