Genesis 1:20

KJV

¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} said {H559}, Let the waters {H4325} bring forth abundantly {H8317} the moving creature {H8318} that hath {H5315} life {H2416}, and fowl {H5775} that may fly {H5774} above {H5921} the earth {H776} in the open {H6440} firmament {H7549} of heaven {H8064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God said, “Let the water swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open dome of the sky.”

Berean Standard Bible

And God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.”

American Standard Version

And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 1:20 marks the commencement of the fifth day of creation, illustrating God's boundless power and meticulous design as He commands the aquatic and aerial realms to teem with an extraordinary diversity of living creatures. This divine decree, spoken into existence, populates the previously prepared environments, showcasing the Creator's purposeful orchestration of the cosmos and His generous provision of life within His established order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 1:20 follows a meticulously ordered sequence of divine creative acts. The preceding days established the fundamental structures of the cosmos: light and darkness were separated on [Day One](/genesis/1-3-5 "The First Day of Creation"), the firmament was set in place to divide the waters on [Day Two](/genesis/1-6-8 "The Second Day of Creation"), and dry land emerged, adorned with vegetation, on [Day Three](/genesis/1-9-13 "The Third Day of Creation"). [Day Four](/genesis/1-14-19 "The Fourth Day of Creation") saw the placement of the sun, moon, and stars to govern time and seasons. With the environments now perfectly prepared—the waters below the firmament and the expanse of the firmament itself—God proceeds on Day Five to fill these specific domains with their appropriate inhabitants, demonstrating a logical and progressive unfolding of His creative plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, creation narratives often depicted chaotic struggles among deities or the world arising from pre-existing matter. The Genesis account stands in stark contrast by presenting a singular, sovereign God who creates *ex nihilo* (from nothing) and by divine command, bringing order out of formlessness and emptiness. The emphasis on God's spoken word and the orderly progression of creation would have been revolutionary, asserting Yahweh's unique power and wisdom over any pagan deity. The concept of "firmament" (Hebrew *raqia'*) would have been understood in terms of their cosmological understanding—a solid dome separating waters above from waters below, providing a space for birds to fly and celestial bodies to be placed, not necessarily a scientific description but a phenomenological one from an earthly perspective.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 1:20 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the creation narrative and the broader book of Genesis. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, as life springs forth effortlessly at His command, underscoring His absolute control over all existence. The verse also highlights **Divine Order and Purpose**, as God fills the specific environments He previously prepared, demonstrating a methodical and intentional design. Furthermore, the creation of "living creatures" (Hebrew *nephesh chayyah*) introduces the theme of **Life as a Divine Gift**, affirming the inherent value and vitality of all biological life, from the smallest aquatic organism to the largest bird, as directly endowed by the Creator. This act of filling the earth with teeming life also foreshadows God's command to humanity to "be fruitful and multiply" in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "The Cultural Mandate") and the subsequent abundance of life throughout the biblical narrative.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** (H559) This primitive root signifies "to say," but with great latitude, encompassing various forms of communication, command, and declaration. In Genesis 1, its repeated use ("And God said") underscores the **divine fiat**—creation by effortless decree. It emphasizes God's absolute authority and the immediate efficacy of His word; His speaking is His doing, bringing existence into being without struggle or external assistance.
* **bring forth abundantly (Hebrew, _shârats'_):** (H8317) This primitive root means "to wriggle," implying to swarm or abound. It conveys the idea of prolific reproduction and immense quantity. When God commands the waters to "bring forth abundantly," it speaks to His overflowing generosity and the sheer volume of life He intended for the aquatic and aerial realms. It suggests a vibrant, teeming, and multiplying presence of creatures, filling every available space.
* **life (Hebrew, _chay'_):** (H2416) Derived from the root "to live," this term denotes being "alive," encompassing vitality and animation. As a noun, it refers to "life" or a "living thing." In the phrase "moving creature that hath life" (*nephesh chayyah*), *chay* emphasizes that these creatures are not inert but possess an intrinsic, God-given vitality. It signifies that they are animated beings, capable of movement, sensation, and reproduction, all by divine endowment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God said,"**: This opening phrase, a hallmark of the Genesis creation account, establishes the divine origin and effortless nature of creation. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty; the universe and all its inhabitants come into being by His powerful, authoritative word alone. This is not a laborious process but an act of pure divine will.
* **"Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life,"**: God commands the pre-existing waters, the realm He separated on Day Two, to become the source of teeming life. The phrase "bring forth abundantly" (Hebrew *shârats*) signifies a prolific, swarming, and multiplying outpouring of aquatic life. "The moving creature that hath life" (Hebrew *sherets nephesh chayyah*) refers to all types of small, swarming aquatic creatures endowed with a vital, animated existence. This demonstrates God's utilization of created elements as a medium for further creation, filling the prepared environment with a rich diversity of living beings.
* **"and fowl [that] may fly above the earth"**: The divine command extends beyond the waters to the aerial domain. "Fowl" (Hebrew *'owph*) is a comprehensive term for all flying creatures, including birds and possibly winged insects. This part of the command ensures that the vast expanse of the sky, the "firmament" established on Day Two, will also be populated with its specific inhabitants, showcasing God's comprehensive and orderly design for every part of His creation.
* **"in the open firmament of heaven."**: This specifies the precise environment for the flying creatures. The "firmament of heaven" (Hebrew *raqia' shamayim*) refers to the expanse of the sky, created on Day Two, which separates the waters above from the earth below. The term "open" (Hebrew *paniym*) emphasizes the vast, unhindered space provided for these creatures to inhabit and thrive. This detail underscores God's meticulous preparation of the environment *before* introducing the life forms destined to inhabit it, highlighting His purposeful and intelligent design.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 1:20 employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Divine Fiat**, where creation occurs solely through God's spoken word ("And God said, Let..."). This emphasizes God's omnipotence and effortless control over all existence, distinguishing the biblical account from ancient Near Eastern cosmogonies. The phrase "bring forth abundantly" also functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, conveying the immense quantity and prolific nature of the life God intended, highlighting His generosity and the richness of His creation. The pairing of "waters" and "firmament" to be filled with life can be seen as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting parts represent the whole—in this case, encompassing all the fluid and aerial environments of the earth. Finally, the **Repetition** of the "And God said" formula throughout Genesis 1 creates a rhythmic, authoritative cadence, reinforcing the consistent and powerful nature of the Creator's decrees.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 1:20 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and omnipotence, as His spoken word effortlessly brings forth complex life forms, demonstrating that all existence is contingent upon His divine will. It underscores the inherent value of all biological life, from the smallest aquatic creature to the largest bird, affirming that each is endowed with *nephesh chayyah* (a living soul/being) through direct divine decree. This act further highlights God's meticulous wisdom and orderly progression in creation, evident in His preparation of environments (the firmament and waters) before populating them with suitable life forms. The command for the waters to "bring forth abundantly" also manifests divine abundance and generosity, filling creation with a rich diversity of living beings, reflecting the overflowing nature of the Creator.

* [Psalm 104:24-25](/psalms/104-24-25 "The Lord's Abundant Creation")
* [Job 12:7-10](/job/12-7-10 "God's Hand in All Life")
* [Psalm 148:7, 10](/psalms/148-7-10 "Praise from Sea Creatures and Birds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 1:20 calls us to a profound appreciation for the intricate beauty and immense diversity of God's creation. As we observe the teeming life in the oceans, from microscopic organisms to majestic whales, or the countless species of birds soaring through the sky, we are invited to marvel at the boundless power, meticulous care, and overflowing generosity of our Creator. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that all life originates from God's intentional design and spoken word, prompting us to worship Him as the author and sustainer of every living creature. It also challenges us to consider our role as stewards of His magnificent handiwork, recognizing the inherent value He places on all forms of life and our responsibility to care for the earth and its inhabitants, reflecting His own creative and sustaining love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's method of creating life by simply "speaking" in Genesis 1:20 impact your understanding of His power and authority?**
* **What does the command for the waters to "bring forth abundantly" reveal about God's character and His desire for creation?**
* **How does recognizing that even the "moving creature that hath life" is divinely endowed with *nephesh chayyah* influence your view of animals and their place in God's creation?**
* **In what ways can we, as image-bearers of God, better appreciate and care for the diverse life forms that inhabit the earth and its skies?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the term "living creature" (_nephesh chayyah_) applied to animals?**

Answer: The term *nephesh chayyah* (Hebrew: נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, literally "living soul" or "living being") indicates that these creatures possess a vital, animated life force, directly endowed by God. While it signifies that animals are more than mere automatons, possessing a capacity for sensation, movement, and instinct, it is crucial to note its distinction from the unique *nephesh* of humanity. Humanity's *nephesh* is uniquely created in God's image and likeness, signifying a spiritual, rational, and moral capacity for relationship with God, dominion over creation, and eternal purpose, as detailed in [Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26-27 "Humanity created in God's image and likeness"). Thus, while animals possess life by divine decree, human life holds a distinct and elevated status within God's created order.

**Why are aquatic and flying creatures created on the same day?**

Answer: The creation of aquatic and flying creatures on the fifth day highlights God's orderly and purposeful design in populating the realms He prepared on previous days. On [Day Two](/genesis/1-6-8 "The Second Day of Creation"), God created the firmament, separating the waters above from the waters below. The fifth day then systematically fills both of these related environments: the waters below with aquatic life, and the "open firmament of heaven" (the space above the earth, beneath the waters above) with flying creatures. This demonstrates a cohesive plan for filling the vast, open spaces of the earth and sky, ensuring that each prepared domain receives its appropriate inhabitants, underscoring God's meticulous and intelligent design.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 1:20, with its powerful declaration of God's creative word bringing forth abundant life in the waters and skies, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle John profoundly reveals that "all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "All things made through Christ")). This means the divine *fiat* that commanded the waters to teem and the skies to fill with life was the very Word, the pre-existent Christ, through whom the entire cosmos was fashioned. He is not merely the agent of creation but also its ongoing sustainer, as [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Christ sustains all things") affirms that "in Him all things hold together." Furthermore, the life that Christ brought into being through creation is ultimately redeemed and renewed through His redemptive work on the cross. The groaning creation, yearning for liberation, will ultimately participate in the glorious freedom of the children of God through Christ's finished work, as promised in [Romans 8:19-21](/romans/8-19-21 "Creation groans for redemption"), pointing to a future where all of creation is restored to its intended glory in and through Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 104:24

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Psalms 104:25

[So is] this great and wide sea, wherein [are] things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

Genesis 2:19

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.

1 Kings 4:33

And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.

Psalms 148:10

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

Genesis 1:30

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Genesis 1:7

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.