Be fruitful and multiply

In Judaism, Christianity, and some other Abrahamic religions, the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply" (referred to as the "creation mandate" in some Christian traditions) is the divine injunction which forms part of Genesis , in which God, after having created the world and all in it, ascribes to humankind the tasks of reproducing and filling the earth. After the flood, God repeats the same instruction to Noah and his sons: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth".

The text finds an immediate interpretation in the opening chapter of the book of Exodus as the description of the Israelites in Biblical Egypt are alluded to as, "fruitful, increased greatly, multiplied, and extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them".

Biblical account

Texts

The commandment appears in Genesis 1:28 (within the creation narrative) and Genesis 9:1, 7 (after the flood). R. N. Whybray sees the repetition of the mandate as heralding "new era and ... renewed humanity" when God restore's creation after its destruction.

The text of Genesis 1:28 states:

Interpretation

In Orthodox Judaism, the mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" is interpreted as requiring every couple to have at least a son and a daughter. Other Jewish groups (such as Reform Judaism) and individual Jews have interpreted this mandate differently. For example, Richard Elliott Friedman considers that the mandate "be fruitful and multiply and fill the Earth" has "now been fulfilled". The mandate is elaborated upon in numerous parts of the Talmud, for example in Kidushin.

Despite "be fruitful and multiply" being the most important mitzvah, contraception is permitted in some sects of Judaism in appropriate circumstances such as difficult family situations. InÃÂ instances like these,ÃÂ rabbis mayÃÂ allow women to start contraceptive methods.

For some Christians, humans should actively work to fulfill the mandate.

Qur'an

The text of surat Al-Baqarah 2:187 in the Qur'an enjoins the listeners (presumably male) to be intimate with their wives and do "that which God has decreed for them", a statement defined by commentators to refer to having children:

In popular culture

Below is a list of some instances where the injunction has been used in modern media, music, and literature:

A Latin translation of the injunction was used as the official motto of the State of Maryland until 1874.
In 1999, the Israeli musical comedy Kuni-Leml released a cast album including a song named after the injunction as track fifteen.
In 2005, a documentary by Israeli director Shosh Shlam was produced and named after the injunction.
On January 29, 2007, an episode of the American adult television show Moral Orel was named after the injunction.
On September 26, 2009, a film based on the American horror author Stephen King's story Children of the Corn released, which depicts a scene referencing the injunction.
On October 7, 2011, American gospel singer VaShawn Mitchell released his album "Triumphant" with the song on track eight titled "Be Fruitful," referencing the injunction.
On September 10, 2013, an episode of the American reality television show Doomsday Castle was named after the injunction.
On November 5, 2023, the final theme for the Japanese anime Attack on Titan titled "To You 2,000... or... 20,000 Years From Now..." included a line referencing the injunction in verse five.

References