980. Verse 1. And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. “God blessed” signifies the presence and grace of the Lord; “Noah and his sons” signifies the Ancient Church; “be fruitful” signifies the goods of charity; “and multiply” signifies the truths of faith, which were now to be increased; “replenish the earth” signifies in the external man.