Verse 7 closes the “warning” section of this subdivision with a repetition of the blessing from Gen 9.1. See the outline at the beginning of this subdivision (8.20–9.17).

And you: you is again plural, referring to Noah and his sons.

Be fruitful and multiply: see comments on 1.22 and 9.1.

Bring forth abundantly on the earth: bring forth translates the same verb used in 1.20, where it was translated “bring forth swarms.” New English Bible says “swarm throughout the earth,” but this is unsuitable for human beings, and Revised English Bible has revised it to say “people the earth….” We may also say “populate the earth” or “fill the earth.”

And multiply in it repeats the verb used in the first part of the verse. Some translations (New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, Revised English Bible, Bible de Jérusalem) have “subdue it” or “rule over it” on the basis of an alternative verb found also in 1.28. However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives the Hebrew text a rating of {B}, suggesting there is some slight doubt but recommending no change, and it recommends “and multiply [plural] on it.” Many modern translations do not repeat multiply in it, since this has been stated earlier in be fruitful and multiply.

Although this verse is a repetition of the content of verse 1, it is a fuller command than verse 1; and in particular the expression bring forth abundantly is added. For those languages in which repetition is not contrary to good style, the idea of giving birth continually can be the new focus in this context. For example, one translation has “Have many children, and become very plentiful; give birth again and again, so that you will become very numerous.” Another understands this expression to refer to successive generations and says “You must have many children, and your children must have many children of their own, so that….”

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 .