Of every cleane beast] The distinction of cleane and uncleane creatures, before the stood, was principally observed in respect of Sacrifices to God, yet in respect of sustenance of man there was difference also; for some of them were of wholesome nourishment, some not; but of those that were wholesome in themselves, some kinds were after the flood forbidden to the Jews, Levit. 11. which upon the union of converts of the Jews and Gentiles into one Church, were allowed as a part of Christian liberty, Acts 10:12-13. 1 Timothy 4:4. Titus 1:15. and of Gods liberality, which was more to man then to himselfe in this respect, that he would be served but with a few kinds of creatures; as of beasts, onely with Kine, Oxen, Sheep, and Goats; and of birds, with Doves, or Pigeons, Turtles, Sparrows. See Levit. Chap. 1. vers. 3. and Chap. 14. 4. and Chap. 22. 19. whereas he allowed man more variety of good creatures, not onely for his necessity, but for his delight, and gave him the greatest store of those which are of most use; and to make them more usefull, he made them familiar to him, and sociable among themselves; the contrary disposition in savage creatures, is of the mercifull dispensation of God, for both their aversnesse from cohabitation with man, and their dis-union among themselves, (ranging rather alone, like single theeves or spoilers, then in great herds like armies) make much for the safety both of mankind, and of the creatures most serviceable to him. by sevens,] Hebr. seven seven. The Hebrews expresse distribution by duplication of the same word, so Chap. 32. vers. 16. Numbers 7:11. and Chap. 29. 10. so doe the Greeks, (though not so frequently) as Mark, Chap. 6. vers. 7, 39, 40. by sevens,] That is, one for sacrifice, as Chap. 8. 20. and the rest, partly for food, and partly for breed to preserve the kind; therefore they were fewer of the uncleane, because they were taken into the Ark onely for increase, that the kind might not perish: and whereas it is said, Chap. 6. 20. that two of every sort must be taken into the Ark, the meaning is, that they should be taken by couples, one of each sexe; but here besides the difference of sex, the distinct number is set down, which is more of the cleane, then of the uncleane, that there might be most increase of those which were of most use and comfort to mankind; and therefore God hath so ordered their number, and habitation, that the wild and lesse profitable creatures doe not so abound, as the tame and more profitable; or God so disposeth of the abode of such as are savage and cruel, that they desire to live apart from the society of man, and to keep as much as may be out of his walk and sight. See Job 37:7-8. Psalms 104:20. the male and his female] Hebr. Isch, Veischeta, that is, the man and his wife; the distinction made in termes belonging to noblest kind, and by a figure called catachresis, applied to the severall sexes of other kindes; so are they said to have families. See Annot. on Chap. 8. 19.