clean animals, unclean animals

The phrases that are translated as “clean animals” and “unclean animals” in English: The first draft into Maan had “animals not cursed” and “cursed animals,” which did not express correctly the idea of ritually pure and impure animals. So it was changed to “animals accepted by God for sacrifices” and “animals not accepted by God for sacrifices.”

In Kwere it is translated as animals “which are eaten” vs. “which are not eaten.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Makonde is is translated as halali and halamu, derived from the Arabic halal (حلال) and haram (حرام), used for permitted and and forbidden animals in Islam. The Makonde speakers are 90% Muslim and this was chosen because these are widely understood terms and because many of the permitted (clean) foods of Judaism and Islam match. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Genesis 7:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 7:2:

  • Kankanaey: “Also cause-to-enter (you-pl) those-who-pair-together among all kinds of animals which are counted/considered as filthy. As for those which are counted/considered as clean by-contrast, cause-to-enter seven-each that pair-together.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Bring along seven pairs of animals, male and female, all clean, and only one pair of unclean animals.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] bring/[take] seven pairs of every kind of clean animals, but only one pair of every kind of not clean animal.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Take with you seven pairs of every kind of animal that I have said I will accept for sacrifices. Take seven males and seven females. Also take a male and a female from every kind of animal that I have said that I will not accept for sacrifices.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 7:2

A comparison of 7.2-3 with the previous passage shows a difference or inconsistency in the instructions that God gave to Noah about the creatures to be taken into the boat with him and his family. In 6.19-20 a single pair of each type of creature is to be taken; but here the instruction is to take seven pairs (or possibly just “seven”) of each type of “clean” animal, and also of each type of bird, and only one pair of each type of “unclean” animal. While this difference is a feature of the text as we have it, translators will have to assess how much of a problem it will be for their readers, and then deal with it as necessary.

Because the compiler(s) allowed this level of inconsistency to stand quite obviously in the text, it seems that they did not expect it to be a problem for the Israelites of their time. For many modern-day readers the difference will not be a serious problem either. It will be noticed, but they will easily work out an explanation for it that satisfies them—perhaps along the lines of God’s second set of instructions to Noah updating or adding to what he had said on the first occasion. In many languages variations such as this are a feature of storytelling and narrative discourse, and are often felt to add interest to a story.

Take … seven pairs of all clean animals: the expression translated seven pairs is literally “seven seven” and has been taken by some to mean “by sevens,” that is, “seven animals of all clean species” (King James Version). The more likely sense is seven pairs as in Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and nearly all modern translations. New International Version, which translates “seven” in its text, gives the alternative “seven pairs” in a note. Pairs, which in many English contexts refers to a collective of two like things, refers here to one of each sex.

The male and his mate is not the same expression found in 6.19, nor in 7.3, 9, 16. The Hebrew is literally “man and his woman.” However, the sense is “male and female,” as used in 1.27 and 6.19. See there for discussion. The Good News Translation rendering, “seven pairs of each kind of … animal,” means a male and female pair.

In some languages the terms for male and female animals are expressed by special terms. In other languages the human terms for male and female are extended to male and female animals, as in the literal Hebrew at this point. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “Take seven males and seven females,” and this is also the pattern in many other languages. Some languages give the total number first: “fourteen of every kind…, seven of which are males and seven females.”

Clean animals refers to those mentioned in Leviticus 11, which the Israelites were permitted to eat and to sacrifice to God. Clean in reference to being ritually acceptable to God is used six times in Genesis 7 and 8. The concept that certain animals are under a ritual taboo (forbidden) is common in many language areas. However, the idea of clean animals in this sense may be totally foreign. It may be possible in such cases to speak of clean animals as animals that are not forbidden, and not clean ones as animals that God has forbidden or made taboo. On the other hand it may be more meaningful to speak of clean animals as “animals that are acceptable to God” or “animals that God approves for food and sacrifice.” In the same way not clean may be “animals that God does not accept for food and sacrifice.” In some cases it may be possible to speak of “ritually clean” or “ritually unclean” animals, although this expression is usually more difficult than those suggested above.

The last part of the verse continues the command regarding the animals to be taken that are not clean: a pair of the animals means a male and a female. That are not clean is the opposite of the clean animals. See suggestions in the paragraph above. The male and his mate is the same expression as in the earlier part of the verse.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .