Q: Why is there a difference in the number of animal pairs Noah brought into the ark?
A: The difference in the number of animal pairs comes from the way the Flood story in Genesis was formed. The biblical account is a composite narrative, meaning it brings together two ancient sacred traditions—commonly identified by scholars as the Yahwist (J) source and the Priestly (P) source—which were later woven into one inspired story.
The Priestly source (P) emphasizes order, structure, and the preservation of life. In this version, Noah brings two of every kind of animal, a male and a female. This highlights God’s careful plan to save creation and ensure its continuation after the flood. It reflects a theological focus on God as the Creator who brings order out of chaos and safeguards the future of the world.
The Yahwist source (J) focuses more on relationship, morality, worship, and daily human life. In this version, Noah brings seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean animals. The clean animals are mentioned not only because they would later be used for sacrifice, expressing thanksgiving and renewed communion with God, but also because they would serve as a necessary source of food for Noah and his family in the difficult period after the flood, when agriculture and normal food sources had not yet been restored. This reflects God’s tender concern for both humanity’s spiritual needs and their physical survival.
When these two traditions were combined, both were preserved. Rather than eliminating one version, Scripture keeps both to communicate a fuller theological message. The purpose is not to give a scientific inventory of animals, but to teach spiritual truths about sin, judgment, mercy, salvation, human responsibility, and new beginnings.
This way of writing does not mean the Bible is contradictory. The Church teaches that Scripture is fully divinely inspired, yet written through human authors who used storytelling forms, ancient traditions, and theological reflection to express God’s saving truth (cf. Dei Verbum, 11–12).
Ultimately, the Flood story is not about numbers; it is about God’s mercy. God sees the spread of sin, but He does not abandon humanity. Instead, He provides a way of rescue through Noah. The ark becomes a sign of hope, protection, and new creation—and, for Christians, a symbol of the Church, which carries God’s people safely through the storms of sin toward new life.
REFLECTION
In the story of Noah, God reveals both His tender care for creation and His deep concern for the future of humanity. He preserves the animals not only so life may continue, but so humankind may be sustained after the flood, reminding us that every living creature is a sacred trust. At the same time, the clean animals set apart for sacrifice and food teach us that life is not meant merely to be preserved, but also to be received with gratitude and offered back to God in worship. God provides not only for our souls but also for our daily bread. Preservation without thanksgiving becomes selfish survival; sacrifice without care becomes empty ritual. God saves so that we may live, and He preserves so that we may worship. True spiritual growth happens when we learn to protect what God has entrusted to us and return it to Him with humble hearts, making our lives a living offering of praise.