Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 08, 1999 at 03:00:09 {Nq8EnQ8RVAMSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: 7 or 14 Clean Animals?? posted by Petro on November 07, 1999 at 13:18:07:
Hello Petro,
Interesting observation. But maybe the problem is in the translation. That is, maybe when Genesis made reference to the "sire and its mate.." it really meant the "sire and its pride or flock" that is, one male and the rest female. That is, in nature, many times there is one sire and several females. These females in general may be considered it's "mate".
So, without having really looked into anything further, I think there is a possibility, instead of seven couples, a "sire" and six females. That would be a natural grouping for many clean animals.
I'll have to check the actual Hebrew to see if "wife" can be made pleural depending upon the context. I'll get back on it.
Nice topic.
Cheers,
Bibleman