In Genesis, what is the first command God gives Noah after the Flood?

In Genesis, the first command God gives Noah after the Flood is “Be fruitful and multiply.”

Genesis 9:1 says that God blesses Noah and his sons and tells them to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. This command echoes the language used earlier for humanity and living creatures in Genesis 1, linking the post-Flood world with the creation story.

The surrounding passage establishes rules and promises for life after the Flood. It grants animals a fear of humans, permits eating animals while prohibiting blood, and forbids murder. God then establishes the covenant with Noah and all living creatures, with the rainbow as its sign.

The command is sometimes confused with later instructions associated with the Ark, such as building the vessel or gathering animals. Those belong to the pre-Flood part of Genesis. After the Flood, the narrative begins with blessing, repopulation, and a new covenantal order.