**How Many of Each Kind of Animal Did Noah Take?
A Detailed Study of Genesis 6–7**
The account of Noah’s ark is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible—but many people remember only part of it. The common idea that Noah took “two of every kind” aboard the ark is true, but only partially. Genesis actually gives two different instructions, depending on the type of animal. Understanding how these fit together brings clarity to the narrative and shows the careful structure of the biblical text.
This article examines the key passages, explains how “kinds” are defined, and explores why the numbers differ.
1. The Two Instructions in Genesis
There are two separate commands about how many animals Noah was to bring:
1.1. Genesis 6:19–20 — The General Rule
“You are to bring into the ark two of every kind of living creature, male and female, to keep them alive with you.”
This instruction covers:
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All land animals
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All creeping things
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All birds
This is the basic preservation command: a male and female pair from each “kind.”
1.2. Genesis 7:2–3 — The Expanded Instruction
Before the Flood begins, God gives more detail:
“Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, and seven pairs of every kind of bird.”
This clarifies that:
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Clean animals: 7 pairs (14 total)
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Unclean animals: 1 pair (2 total)
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Birds: 7 pairs (14 total)
Thus, the simple “two of each kind” applies only to unclean animals. Clean animals and birds were far more numerous.
2. Why the Difference? Clean vs. Unclean
2.1. What Are “Clean” Animals?
In the Bible, clean animals are those acceptable for:
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Sacrifice
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Food (later in the Law of Moses)
Though the Law of Moses had not yet been given, Genesis indicates that Noah already understood which animals were “clean,” likely through earlier divine instruction or tradition.
2.2. Why Bring More Clean Animals?
Because after the Flood:
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Sacrifices would be offered (Genesis 8:20), and Noah needed extra animals for worship without risking extinction of their kind.
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Clean animals served practical purposes—some were domesticated for food, clothing, or other functions.
2.3. Birds Also Came in Larger Numbers
Birds were also brought in seven pairs. This likely relates to:
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Their ecological importance in repopulating the earth
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Their role in symbolic acts (e.g., the dove Noah released)
3. What Is a “Kind”?
Genesis does not say “species” (a modern biological term) but “kind.”
While definitions vary, a “kind” likely refers to:
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A basic animal group capable of reproducing naturally
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A broader group than a species (e.g., the “horse kind,” “dog/wolf kind,” “cat kind”)
This allows:
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Fewer total animals on the ark
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Greater genetic diversity within each kind
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The spread of many species from a few ancestors after the Flood
Biblically speaking, “kinds” are defined by the ability to reproduce “after their kind” (Genesis 1).
4. Summary of the Numbers
Here is the data in one place:
| Type of Animal | Number Taken | Biblical Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Clean animals | 7 pairs (14 total) | Genesis 7:2 |
| Unclean animals | 1 pair (2 total) | Genesis 7:2 |
| Birds | 7 pairs (14 total) | Genesis 7:3 |
| All animals in general | At least 1 pair of each kind | Genesis 6:19–20 |
Thus, the ark held:
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Multiple pairs of clean animals
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Multiple pairs of birds
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Single pairs of unclean land animals
A realistic picture of the ark therefore includes many more than two animals for numerous kinds.
5. How Many Animals Were There Total?
The Bible does not give an exact total number. Instead, it emphasizes:
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Representation of all “kinds”
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Preservation of ecological balance
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Provision for worship and future human needs
The total number would depend on:
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How broadly “kinds” are defined
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How many clean animals existed at the time
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The diversity of bird kinds
Even with conservative estimates, the ark would contain thousands of animals—feasible within its immense capacity (roughly the volume of 500+ railroad boxcars).
6. Theological Significance of the Numbers
6.1. God Provides for Worship
By commanding seven pairs of clean animals, God ensures Noah can offer sacrifices after the Flood.
6.2. God Cares About Biodiversity and Renewal
Extra numbers of birds and clean animals help the new earth flourish.
6.3. The Instructions Emphasize Order Over Chaos
Even during judgment, God preserves life with intentional, structured care.
Conclusion: More Than Just “Two by Two”
The popular image of Noah taking “two of every kind” is only partly true. The Bible’s more precise picture is richer and more complex:
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Clean animals: 14
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Unclean animals: 2
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Birds: 14
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All kinds represented
This nuance shows the Ark narrative as a story of careful preservation, divine order, and preparation for renewal. Rather than a simplistic tale, the account in Genesis presents God’s thoughtful intention to sustain life, provide for worship, and repopulate the earth after the Flood.