How Many of Each Unclean Animal Did Noah Take into the Ark?
When most people hear the story of Noah’s Ark, they often imagine “two of every kind” of animal entering the ark. While this statement is true for unclean animals, the Bible makes an important distinction between clean and unclean creatures. Understanding this difference helps us see why the number of unclean animals was specific and limited.
1. Biblical Command Regarding Unclean Animals
The foundation of this teaching comes from:
Genesis 7:2
“…and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.”
This instruction is simple and precise:
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Unclean animals: One pair of each species
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This includes: one male and one female
Thus, Noah took exactly two of every unclean animal.
2. What Is an Unclean Animal?
Although the detailed list of clean and unclean animals appears later in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, the concept already existed in Noah’s time. Noah knew which animals God considered acceptable for sacrifice (clean) and which were not (unclean).
Unclean animals generally include:
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Predators and carnivores (e.g., lions, wolves, bears)
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Scavengers (e.g., vultures, hyenas)
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Pigs
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Camels
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Certain wild animals
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Many birds of prey
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Reptiles and amphibians
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Insects other than locusts
These animals were not used for sacrifice and played a different role in creation’s balance.
3. Why Only Two of Each Unclean Animal?
1. They Were Not Used for Sacrifice
After the flood, Noah offered clean animals as burnt offerings (Genesis 8:20). Since unclean animals were not used for worship, no extra supply was needed.
2. They Were Not Permitted as Food (Yet)
Before the flood, humans ate plants (Genesis 1:29). After the flood, meat was allowed (Genesis 9:3), yet unclean animals still remained prohibited for consumption under later Mosaic law. Therefore, unclean species did not need to be present in large numbers.
3. God Preserved Species Without Excess
Bringing only one pair ensured the species would survive but avoided unnecessary crowding in the ark.
4. The Symbolic Meaning Behind the Numbers
The numbers God commanded carry theological and practical significance:
1. Clean animals symbolize worship and holiness
Thus, more were needed for offerings.
2. Unclean animals symbolize the diversity of creation
God intended to preserve every species—even those considered unsuitable for sacrifice. Each had a role in the ecosystem after the flood.
3. The pair (male and female) highlights God’s plan for continuity
Every species, even unclean ones, had a purpose in the renewed world.
5. How Many Total Unclean Animals Were There?
The Bible does not list the exact number of unclean species in Noah’s time. However:
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Every type of land animal and crawling creature had one pair
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Birds also had clean/unclean distinctions, but all birds were taken in seven pairs (Genesis 7:3)
If we consider modern classifications, there would have been:
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Dozens of mammals
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Many birds of prey
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Numerous reptiles
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Many insects
But the exact number is not given, emphasizing the story’s theological purpose rather than a scientific catalog.
6. Why Unclean Animals Were Still Important After the Flood
Even though unclean animals were not used for sacrifices or early food sources, they served essential ecological roles:
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Predators control populations of other animals
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Scavengers remove dead bodies and maintain cleanliness
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Insects assist in decomposition
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Reptiles help preserve balance in ecosystems
God preserved every category of life to ensure the restored earth could flourish naturally.
7. Summary of the Numbers
| Type of Animal | Number Taken | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Unclean Animals | 1 pair (male + female) | Not used for sacrifice; only needed for survival |
| Clean Animals | 7 pairs | Needed for sacrifice, food, and sustainability |
| Birds | 7 pairs | For sacrifice and continued reproduction |
Conclusion
In the story of Noah’s Ark, unclean animals were taken two by two—one male and one female of each species. This was enough to ensure their survival but prevented unnecessary overcrowding in the ark. While clean animals were taken in larger numbers for worship and food, unclean animals were still part of God’s plan for restoring balance to the earth after the flood.