Question:
In Genesis 7:2 states that every clean beast Noah was to take by sevens the male and female and of the beasts that are not clean by two male and female. My question is, why of the unclean beast Noah is only to take two the male and female?
Answer:
Genesis 7:2,3 says, “Of every CLEAN BEAST thou shalt take to thee BY SEVENS, the male and his female: and of BEASTS that are NOT CLEAN BY TWO, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; TO KEEP SEED ALIVE UPON THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH.”
The reason for the numbers in each case, is to keep seed alive of each kind, so that it may multiply, and not become extinct, after the flood. The extra number of the clean animals was necessary, because some of them were offered as a sacrifice to God immediately following the flood. Genesis 8:18,20 says, “And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and TOOK OF EVERY CLEAN BEAST, AND OF EVERY CLEAN FOWL, AND OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS ON THE ALTAR.” So the extra number of clean beasts and fowls allowed for sacrifices, and still for some of the animals to live and multiply.