In Genesis 1:28 God says to the male and the female he had created :
פרו ורבו ומלאו
... be fruitful and multiply and replenish ...
Although this is stated as an imperative, can it be seen as an invitation (or even permission) rather than obligation ?
Does this wording preclude any male or female desiring to be celibate ?
Does it refer, specifically, to the two persons to whom it was addressed in order to take the very necessary first step in the continued propagation of the race ?
As the OP points out, the verse is stated as an imperative. It should be understood as both a blessing and a commandment - a mitzvah. The blessing (certainly more than mere permission) is given to the unnamed man and woman in Gen. 1, so is often taken to apply to humankind generally.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this blessing/commandment was given prior to the first sin (also called the Fall). In the OTA Jews generally understand Gen. 1:28 as applying to everyone and thus Jewish men were taught it was their duty to marry. Paul, however, understood humanity as essentially fallen. For him, even the children of Christians are not born under God's blessing but require a savoir. Jesus, the new Adam, did not marry but went to the Cross to save those who believe in him. Thus Paul taught that marriage was a secondary choice for those awaiting the Second Coming.
1 Corinthians
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Conclusion: Religious Jews see marriage as both a blessing and a duty commanded by God. However, following Paul's teachings, Christians often interpret Gen. 1:28 as being given specifically to Adam and Eve as the parents of humankind. Because of the urgent need for procreation, it was a commandment to them as well as a blessing. But for Christians it is not a commandment. Those who await the return of Christ need to decide for themselves whether to follow Paul's preferred course and remain single, or to marry.
Gen 1:28 actually contains five verbs that are imperative commands as follows:
And God blessed them and 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 air and over everything living
Now, whatever one says about any one of these imperative commands must be said about them all. I note that none of these can apply to any one person but the human race as a whole. It is also equally significant that these commends are addressed to "them", ie, to Adam and Eve collectively and not to them individually.
Therefore, I do not read these commands as addressed to individuals but the mankind generally.
Further, as we know, some are born as eunuchs (Matt 19:12) who cannot or choose not to personally fulfil one of these commands. I do not believe God will punish people for what they cannot control.
