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Commentary on Genesis 1 verses 20–23
Each day, hitherto, has produced very noble and excellent beings, which we can never sufficiently admire; but we do not read of the creation of any living creature till the fifth day, of which these verses give us an account. The work of creation not only proceeded gradually from one thing to another, but rose and advanced gradually from that which was less excellent to that which was more so, teaching us to press towards perfection and endeavour that our last works may be our best works. It was on the fifth day that the fish and fowl were created, and both out of the waters. Though there is one kind of flesh of fishes, and another of birds, yet they were made together, and both out of the waters; for the power of the first Cause can produce very different effects from the same second causes. Observe, 1. The making of the fish and fowl, at first, Gen 1:20, Gen 1:21. God commanded them to be produced. He said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly; not as if the waters had any productive power of their own, but, "Let them be brought into being, the fish in the waters and the fowl out of them." This command he himself executed: God created great whales, etc. Insects, which perhaps are as various and as numerous as any species of animals, and their structure as curious, were part of this day's work, some of them being allied to the fish and others to the fowl. Mr. Boyle (I remember) says he admires the Creator's wisdom and power as much in an ant as in an elephant. Notice is here taken of the various sorts of fish and fowl, each after their kind, and of the great numbers of both that were produced, for the waters brought forth abundantly; and particular mention if made of great whales, the largest of fishes, whose bulk and strength, exceeding that of any other animal, are remarkable proofs of the power and greatness of the Creator. The express notice here taken of the whale, above all the rest, seems sufficient to determine what animal is meant by the Leviathan, Job 41:1. The curious formation of the bodies of animals, their different sizes, shapes, and natures, with the admirable powers of the sensitive life with which they are endued, when duly considered, serve, not only to silence and shame the objections of atheists and infidels, but to raise high thoughts and high praises of God in pious and devout souls, Psa 104:25, etc. 2. The blessing of them, in order to their continuance. Life is a wasting thing. Its strength is not the strength of stones. It is a candle that will burn out, if it be not first blown out; and therefore the wise Creator not only made the individuals, but provided for the propagation of the several kinds; God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, Gen 1:22. God will bless his own works, and not forsake them; and what he does shall be for a perpetuity, Ecc 3:14. The power of God's providence preserves all things, as at first his creating power produced them. Fruitfulness is the effect of God's blessing and must be ascribed to it; the multiplying of the fish and fowl, from year to year, is still the fruit of this blessing. Well, let us give to God the glory of the continuance of these creatures to this day for the benefit of man. See Job 12:7, Job 12:9. It is a pity that fishing and fowling, recreations innocent in themselves, should ever be abused to divert any from God and their duty, while they are capable of being improved to lead us to the contemplation of the wisdom, power, and goodness, of him that made all these things, and to engage us to stand in awe of him, as the fish and fowl do of us.
The nature of existing objects, set in motion by one command, passes through creation without change, by generation and destruction, preserving the succession of the kinds through resemblance until it reaches the very end. It begets a horse as the successor of a horse, a lion of a lion and an eagle of an eagle. It continues to preserve each of the animals by uninterrupted successions until the consummation of the universe. No length of time causes the specific characteristics of the animals to be corrupted or extinct, but, as if established just recently, nature, ever fresh, moves along with time.
Let the waters bring forth. What necessary object was there that did not immediately appear? What object of luxury was not given to man? Some to supply his needs, some to make him contemplate the marvels of creation. Some are terrible, so as to take our idleness to school. God created great whales. Genesis 1:21 Scripture gives them the name of great not because they are greater than a shrimp and a sprat, but because the size of their bodies equals that of great hills. Thus when they swim on the surface of the waters one often sees them appear like islands. But these monstrous creatures do not frequent our coasts and shores; they inhabit the Atlantic ocean. Such are these animals created to strike us with terror and awe. If now you hear say that the greatest vessels, sailing with full sails, are easily stopped by a very small fish, by the remora, and so forcibly that the ship remains motionless for a long time, as if it had taken root in the middle of the sea, do you not see in this little creature a like proof of the power of the Creator? Sword fish, saw fish, dog fish, whales, and sharks, are not therefore the only things to be dreaded; we have to fear no less the spike of the stingray even after its death, and the sea-hare, whose mortal blows are as rapid as they are inevitable. Thus the Creator wishes that all may keep you awake, so that full of hope in Him you may avoid the evils with which all these creatures threaten you.
But let us come out of the depths of the sea and take refuge upon the shore. For the marvels of creation, coming one after the other in constant succession like the waves, have submerged my discourse. However, I should not be surprised if, after finding greater wonders upon the earth, my spirit seeks like Jonah's to flee to the sea. But it seems to me, that meeting with these innumerable marvels has made me forget all measure, and experience the fate of those who navigate the high seas without a fixed point to mark their progress, and are often ignorant of the space which they have traversed. This is what has happened to me; while my words glanced at creation, I have not been sensible of the multitude of beings of which I spoke to you. But although this honourable assembly is pleased by my speech, and the recital of the marvels of the Master is grateful to the ears of His servants, let me here bring the ship of my discourse to anchor, and await the day to deliver you the rest. Let us, therefore, all arise, and, giving thanks for what has been said, let us ask for strength to hear the rest. Whilst taking your food may the conversation at your table turn upon what has occupied us this morning and this evening. Filled with these thoughts may you, even in sleep, enjoy the pleasure of the day, so that you may be permitted to say, I sleep but my heart wakes, Song of Songs 5:2 meditating day and night upon the law of the Lord, to Whom be glory and power world without end. Amen.
“God created the great sea monsters.” And not because they are larger than the shrimp and herring are they called great, but because with their immense bodies they are like huge mountains. Indeed, they frequently look like islands when they swim upon the surface of the water.… Such are the animals that have been created for our fear and consternation.… And thus the Creator wants you to be kept awake by them, in order that, through hope in God, you might escape the harm that comes from them.
What necessary object was there that did not immediately appear? What object of luxury was not given to man? Some to supply his needs, some to make him contemplate the marvels of creation. Some are terrible, so as to take our idleness to school. God created great whales. Genesis 1:21 Scripture gives them the name of great not because they are greater than a shrimp and a sprat, but because the size of their bodies equals that of great hills. Thus when they swim on the surface of the waters one often sees them appear like islands. But these monstrous creatures do not frequent our coasts and shores; they inhabit the Atlantic ocean. Such are these animals created to strike us with terror and awe. If now you hear say that the greatest vessels, sailing with full sails, are easily stopped by a very small fish, by the remora, and so forcibly that the ship remains motionless for a long time, as if it had taken root in the middle of the sea, do you not see in this little creature a like proof of the power of the Creator? Sword fish, saw fish, dog fish, whales, and sharks, are not therefore the only things to be dreaded; we have to fear no less the spike of the stingray even after its death, and the sea-hare, whose mortal blows are as rapid as they are inevitable. Thus the Creator wishes that all may keep you awake, so that full of hope in Him you may avoid the evils with which all these creatures threaten you.
But let us come out of the depths of the sea and take refuge upon the shore. For the marvels of creation, coming one after the other in constant succession like the waves, have submerged my discourse. However, I should not be surprised if, after finding greater wonders upon the earth, my spirit seeks like Jonah's to flee to the sea. But it seems to me, that meeting with these innumerable marvels has made me forget all measure, and experience the fate of those who navigate the high seas without a fixed point to mark their progress, and are often ignorant of the space which they have traversed. This is what has happened to me; while my words glanced at creation, I have not been sensible of the multitude of beings of which I spoke to you. But although this honourable assembly is pleased by my speech, and the recital of the marvels of the Master is grateful to the ears of His servants, let me here bring the ship of my discourse to anchor, and await the day to deliver you the rest. Let us, therefore, all arise, and, giving thanks for what has been said, let us ask for strength to hear the rest. Whilst taking your food may the conversation at your table turn upon what has occupied us this morning and this evening. Filled with these thoughts may you, even in sleep, enjoy the pleasure of the day, so that you may be permitted to say, I sleep but my heart wakes, Song of Songs 5:2 meditating day and night upon the law of the Lord, to Whom be glory and power world without end. Amen.
There is nothing truer than this, that either each plant has seed or there exists in it some generative power. And this accounts for the expression “of its own kind.” For the shoot of the reed is not productive of an olive tree, but from the reed comes another reed, and from seeds spring plants related to the seeds sown. Thus what was put forth by the earth in its first generation has been preserved until the present time, since the kinds persisted through constant reproduction.
In the pine cone nature seems to express an image of itself. It preserves its peculiar properties which it received from that divine and celestial command, and it repeats in the succession and order of the years its generation until the end of time is fulfilled.
The Word of God permeates every creature in the constitution of the world. Hence, as God had ordained, all kinds of living creatures were quickly produced from the earth. In compliance with a fixed law they all succeed each other from age to age according to their aspect and kind. The lion generates a lion; the tiger, a tiger; the ox, an ox; the swan, a swan; and the eagle, an eagle. What was once enjoined became in nature a habit for all time. Hence the earth has not ceased to offer the homage of its service. The original species of living creatures is reproduced for future ages by successive generations of its kind.
And God created great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth in their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. Therefore, no kind was excluded, where all living creatures were created with the great sea creatures, which the waters brought forth in various kinds, that is, reptiles, swimming creatures, and flying creatures; but also those that are fixed to rocks and cling with no suitable movement, as are the many kinds of shells. But the mention of the flying creature above the earth under the firmament of the heavens is not contrary to reason and truth, because indeed, even if there is an immense intervening space, birds fly under the stellar sky that fly above the earth, just as we humans set on earth are rightly and truly said to be under the sky and sun, as Scripture attests, which says: "Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven, were living in Jerusalem" (Acts 2:5); and: "What does man gain from all the toil with which he toils under the sun?" (Eccl. 1:3). Of course, according to another translation, some are troubled by the phrase: "And winged birds flying near the firmament of the heavens," that is, near the firmament of the heavens. But it must be understood that it is said that birds fly under the firmament of the heavens because that name also indicates the ether, that is, the higher region of the air which reaches from this turbulent and gloomy place where birds fly up to the stars and is believed, not without reason, to be entirely calm and full of light. For even the seven wandering stars, which are said to travel in this etheric space, Scripture has said to be placed in the firmament of the heavens. Therefore, birds are rightly said to fly near the firmament of the heavens because, as we have said, the turbulent spaces of the air which sustain the flights of birds are close to the ether. Nor is it surprising if the ether is called the firmament of the heavens, since air is called heaven, as we have taught above. Nor should it be overlooked that when God is said to have created every living soul, it is added, "and mortal," to the distinction of man whom He was going to make in His image and likeness, so that if he kept His commandments, he would live blessedly in perpetual unchangeableness. For other living creatures were made in such a first condition that some would yield in sustenance to others while themselves perishing due to their own decline through age.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 1:21 meticulously details the creative acts of the fifth day, where God, by His sovereign decree, brings forth a profusion of diverse living creatures to inhabit the aquatic and aerial realms. This profound act not only showcases His boundless creative power and intricate design but also populates the newly formed environments with teeming life, ranging from immense marine creatures to every winged fowl, culminating in His divine affirmation of the inherent goodness of His handiwork.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 1:21 employs several significant literary devices. Repetition is prominent, particularly with the phrase "after their kind," which appears multiple times in the creation account (e.g., Genesis 1:11, Genesis 1:24). This repetition functions as a literary and theological emphasis, underscoring the divine establishment of distinct, stable biological categories and the inherent order of creation. The recurring divine affirmation, "and God saw that it was good," is another powerful instance of repetition, serving as a theological refrain that punctuates each stage of creation, affirming its perfection and God's satisfaction. Merism is subtly present in the pairing of "great whales" (representing the largest and most formidable aquatic life) with "every living creature that moveth" and "every winged fowl," which together encompass the vast spectrum of aquatic and aerial life, from the colossal to the commonplace. This rhetorical device suggests the totality and comprehensiveness of God's creative act across these two domains. The language itself is descriptive and declarative, portraying God's actions as immediate, powerful, and effective, reinforcing His omnipotence and sovereignty through direct, concise statements.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 1:21 is a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty and creative power. It reveals a God who is not limited by pre-existing materials or chaotic forces but who speaks life into being with boundless imagination and precision. The sheer abundance of life, from the colossal marine creatures to the myriad of winged fowl, testifies to God's overflowing generosity and His meticulous design, ensuring that each creature has its place and purpose within the created order. The repeated declaration of "good" underscores the inherent value and perfection of creation as it came directly from the hand of God, establishing a foundational truth that the natural world, in its original state, was beautiful, functional, and aligned with divine will. This goodness serves as a benchmark against which the later entrance of sin and its corruption can be understood.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 1:21 invites us to cultivate a posture of profound wonder and worship, recognizing that the breathtaking diversity and intricate design of marine and aerial life are not products of chance but direct expressions of God's inexhaustible wisdom, power, and generosity. As we observe the vast oceans teeming with life and the skies filled with birds, we are called to marvel at the Creator's artistry and to acknowledge His absolute dominion over all things. Furthermore, God's declaration that His creation "was good" compels us to re-evaluate our own relationship with the natural world. It challenges us to move beyond mere utilitarian views and to appreciate creation's inherent value, not just for what it can provide us, but for what it reveals about God Himself. This understanding should inspire us to embrace our God-given role as responsible stewards, cherishing and protecting the abundant life He has entrusted to our care, recognizing its divine origin and purpose, and striving to preserve its goodness for future generations.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "after their kind" imply fixed species, or allow for variation?
Answer: The phrase "after their kind" (Hebrew: lĕmînēhû) in Genesis 1:21 and throughout the creation account indicates that God established distinct, stable reproductive boundaries for living organisms. It emphasizes that creatures reproduce within their established biological categories, ensuring the continuation of their unique characteristics. While this principle clearly teaches against the spontaneous generation of new "kinds" from different ones, it does not necessarily preclude variation or adaptation within those created kinds over time. The Bible's focus is on the divine establishment of fundamental biological groups, not on the precise mechanisms or extent of micro-evolutionary changes within those groups, which fall under the domain of scientific inquiry. The theological point is God's intentional design and ordering of life.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 1:21 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in recognizing Jesus as the active agent and ultimate purpose of all creation. As the eternal Word of God, it is through Him that "all things were made; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Therefore, the teeming life in the waters and the air, from the "great whales" to "every winged fowl," were brought into existence by the very Son who would later humble Himself to become flesh. Christ's creative power is further underscored by His earthly ministry, where He demonstrated sovereign dominion over these very elements, calming the raging sea (Mark 4:39) and walking upon its surface (Matthew 14:25). The "goodness" of creation, declared by God in Genesis 1:21, points forward to Christ as the perfect image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15). Through His redemptive work, creation, which groans under the weight of sin (Romans 8:22), will ultimately be liberated and restored to its original, intended glory, reflecting the perfect goodness established by the Creator, Jesus Christ, in the beginning.