John Calvin Commentary Genesis 8:17

"Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee of all flesh, both birds, and cattle, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth." — Genesis 8:17 (ASV)

That they may breed abundantly, etc. With these words the Lord would cheer the mind of Noah, and inspire him with confidence, that a seed had been preserved in the ark which should increase until it replenished the whole earth. In short, the renovation of the earth is promised to Noah, so that he may know that the world itself was enclosed in the ark, and that the solitude and devastation, at the sight of which his heart might faint, would not be perpetual.