What does it mean to “be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis?

TL;DR:

In Genesis, God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" calls humanity to have children and fill the earth, reflecting His design for growth and flourishing. While marriage and parenthood are not God's calling for everyone, those who do marry and have children are given the unique privilege of helping their children come to know God, and in turn, guiding them to be "fruitful and multiply" through making disciples.

what does the bible say?

After God created animals on the sixth day, He made man in His own image out of the dust of the earth. He then made Eve and gave them the task of having dominion over the earth and the call to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). God's command to Adam and Eve to "be fruitful and multiply" meant that they were to have children and fill the earth. This command, repeated after the flood to Noah and his family, reflects God's design for humanity to grow and flourish. God's command gives parents the unique responsibility to have children who will begin to understand the character of God by looking at their parents’ marriage. Fruitfulness, though, is not only about physical offspring but also represents the blessings of righteous living and spiritual growth both in our own lives and in the lives of others as we make disciples. While God’s command to be fruitful and multiply is a key purpose for marriage, it does not imply that every person must marry or have children, as Jesus Himself lived without doing so. Ultimately, God's command to be fruitful and multiply extends beyond procreation, calling us to steward creation and grow in Christlikeness.

from the old testament

Genesis 1:27 tells us, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Then "God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth'" (Genesis 1:28). God called Adam and Eve to have children.
God gave Noah and his family the same command. After the flood, "God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth'" (Genesis 9:1).
The Bible calls children a blessing (Psalm 127:3-5).

from the new testament

God designed marriage as a picture of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). Marriages that honor Christ help others understand God’s character.
God's wills for our lives is to bear good fruit in all areas (Galatians 5:22-23). Consider, too, that we can be spiritually fruitful and multiply when we obey God's commands to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
The apostle Paul indicated that marriage is sometimes necessary to avoid sinning due to sexual temptation (1 Corinthians 7:2), but he also indicates that marriage isn’t required for everyone, and he himself wasn’t married (1 Corinthians 7:7). In short,God doesn’t require Christians to marry and have children, but “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him” (1 Corinthians 7:17).

implications for today

God's blessing to be fruitful and multiply has several implications. First, part of the purpose for marriage is to have children. The family also provides the unique experience of discipling a person from birth. Parents, more than anyone else in life, can influence their children to live out the gospel.

While this is one of many purposes for marriage, couples who don't have children are not living in sin. Couples who struggle with infertility are in no way breaking God's command. Couples who can have children and don't are not necessarily sinning, but they should seriously pray about their decision.

Similarly, God's command to be fruitful and multiply does not mean that it is God's will for every single person to get married. Perhaps the clearest argument that God's blessing and command to Adam, Eve, Noah, and Noah's family is not a blanket command for every person to marry and have children is Jesus Himself. He lived a perfect and sinless life, yet Jesus never married nor did He have children. However, if a couple does get married, one of the greatest calls and blessings is to be fruitful and multiply.

But fruitfulness as in having children

does not exclude other forms of fruitfulness, such as growing in Christlikeness. God gave people the gift of having children because He knew they would be a joy and a legacy. By being made in His image, He has blessed us with the ability to build and create, to guide and direct, and His desire is that we use these abilities to subdue creation and steward it.

understand

God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" calls humanity to grow and fill the earth.
Marriage and parenthood are a unique privilege for discipling children to know God.
The command to “be fruitful and multiply” also extends to spiritual fruitfulness, making disciples.

reflect

How does God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" challenge or inspire you in your role as a parent, spouse, or disciple-maker?
How can you grow in spiritual fruitfulness, beyond just having children, as you seek to live out God's commands and make disciples?
How can your marriage or personal life reflect God's character in a way that impacts others, especially children, for His glory?

engage

How does God's command to be fruitful and multiply relate to His overall plan for humanity’s growth and flourishing?
What does it mean for Christians who are not called to marriage or parenthood to still be "fruitful" in their lives?
How can we practically support and encourage couples and individuals in their unique callings, whether to marry, have children, or live out other forms of fruitfulness?