John Gill Commentary Genesis 8:16

"Go forth from the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons` wives with thee." — Genesis 8:16 (ASV)

Go forth of the ark
Though the earth was dry and fit to be inhabited, yet he would not go out without orders, as he had to go in; which he waited for before he would, and now he has them:

you and your wife, and your sons, and your sons' wives, with you :
the Jewish writers ^F26 observe, that the manner of Noah and his family coming out of the ark is different from that of their going into it: when they went into it then went the men by themselves, and the women by themselves, and so continued apart in the ark, the use of the marriage bed being forbidden them, being a time of distress; but now when they came out they are coupled together, signifying that they were now free to cohabit together.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F26: Pirke Eliezer, c. 23. Jarchi in loc.