Genesis 1:21

KJV

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} created {H1254} great {H1419} whales {H8577}, and every living {H2416} creature {H5315} that moveth {H7430}, which the waters {H4325} brought forth abundantly {H8317}, after their kind {H4327}, and every winged {H3671} fowl {H5775} after his kind {H4327}: and God {H430} saw {H7200} that it was good {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that creeps, so that the water swarmed with all kinds of them, and there was every kind of winged bird; and God saw that it was good.

Berean Standard Bible

So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every bird of flight after its kind. And God saw that it was good.

American Standard Version

And God created the great sea-monsters, and every living creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind: and God saw that it was good.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 1:21 is a pivotal moment within the opening chapter of the Bible, which systematically narrates God's creation of the cosmos. It follows the establishment of the firmament and the separation of waters (Day 2, [Genesis 1:6-8](/genesis/1-6-8 "Genesis 1:6-8 - The Firmament")), the emergence of dry land and vegetation (Day 3, [Genesis 1:9-13](/genesis/1-9-13 "Genesis 1:9-13 - Dry Land and Vegetation")), and the creation of the celestial lights (Day 4, [Genesis 1:14-19](/genesis/1-14-19 "Genesis 1:14-19 - Lights in the Heavens")). This verse specifically records the fulfillment of God's command issued in [Genesis 1:20](/genesis/1-20 "Genesis 1:20 - God's Command for Sea and Air Creatures"), where He calls for the waters to teem with living creatures and for birds to fly above the earth. It precedes the creation of land animals and humanity on the sixth day ([Genesis 1:24-31](/genesis/1-24-31 "Genesis 1:24-31 - Creation of Land Animals and Humanity")), building towards the climax of God's final declaration that all He had made was "very good" in [Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God's Final Assessment of Creation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, the cultural milieu from which Genesis emerged, was rich with creation myths that often depicted chaotic, polytheistic struggles leading to the formation of the world. In stark contrast, Genesis presents a singular, transcendent God (Elohim) who creates an ordered cosmos through His authoritative word, without effort or conflict. The emphasis on "kind" (Hebrew: _min_) would have resonated in an agrarian society keenly aware of distinct biological categories, reinforcing the idea of a fixed, divinely ordered natural world, unlike the fluid, often monstrous, entities found in other cosmogonies. The mention of "great whales" (or "sea monsters") is significant, as large, powerful sea creatures often symbolized chaos or divine adversaries in other ancient mythologies; here, they are simply part of God's created order, subject to His will and declared "good."
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis 1. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, demonstrating God's absolute power to create life in abundance simply by His word. Secondly, the repeated phrase "after their kind" highlights **Order and Design in Creation**, emphasizing the distinct, stable biological categories established by God, which ensure reproductive integrity and reflect a meticulously planned universe. Thirdly, the description of creatures being brought forth "abundantly" speaks to **God's Generosity and the Abundance of Life**, showcasing His lavish provision and the richness of His creative imagination. Finally, God's recurring declaration, "God saw that it was good," reinforces the **Inherent Goodness of Creation**, affirming its perfection, functionality, and alignment with God's divine purpose before the introduction of sin, a theme culminating in [Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God's Final Assessment of Creation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **created (Hebrew, _bârâʼ'_):** This primitive root (H1254) signifies a bringing forth into existence, often implying a new, unprecedented act, particularly when God is the subject. Unlike verbs that denote shaping or forming from pre-existing material, _bârâʼ_ in Genesis 1 often points to the origination of something entirely new, whether it be the heavens and earth ([Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates the Heavens and the Earth")), life itself, or humanity. Here, it emphasizes God's unique power to call into being living creatures, transcending mere arrangement.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** Derived from H1419, this adjective describes the "whales" (or sea monsters), emphasizing their immense size and imposing nature. It conveys a sense of magnitude, not just in physical dimensions but also in significance or power. The inclusion of "great" highlights God's ability to create creatures of awe-inspiring scale, demonstrating His limitless power and dominion over even the most formidable beings in His creation.
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This versatile word (H2896) signifies more than mere aesthetic appeal; it denotes perfection, functionality, fitness for purpose, and inherent moral and ontological excellence. When God declares His creation "good," it means it is complete, flawless, and perfectly aligned with His divine intention. This recurring affirmation throughout Genesis 1 establishes a baseline of divine approval, indicating that the created order is precisely as God designed it to be.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God created great whales":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the sovereign Creator of the most formidable marine life. The term "whales" (Hebrew: _tanninim_) more broadly refers to large aquatic creatures, sea monsters, or even dragons, signifying immense, powerful beings of the deep. This highlights God's absolute dominion over even the most awe-inspiring and potentially terrifying elements of creation, demonstrating His power to bring forth life on a grand scale.
* **"and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind":** This expansive phrase describes the teeming, prolific life that emerges from the waters. "Living creature" (Hebrew: _nephesh chayyah_) denotes animate, breathing beings, encompassing the vast diversity of aquatic life. The waters are depicted as "bringing forth abundantly" (Hebrew: _sharats_), conveying a sense of swarming, teeming, and prolific generation. The crucial qualifier "after their kind" (Hebrew: _lĕmînēhû_) establishes a fundamental principle of biological order, indicating that God created distinct, stable reproductive categories, ensuring that life reproduces within its established boundaries and maintains its unique characteristics.
* **"and every winged fowl after his kind":** This clause extends the creative act to the aerial realm, indicating that birds, too, are brought forth by God's command. The phrase "winged fowl" (Hebrew: _'ôwph kânâph_) emphasizes their distinct characteristic of flight. The repetition of "after his kind" underscores the consistency of God's ordered creation across different environments, reinforcing the principle of distinct biological categories for aerial creatures as well.
* **"and God saw that [it was] good":** This divine declaration serves as God's stamp of approval on the work of the fifth day. It is a profound theological statement affirming the inherent perfection, beauty, and intended purpose of the marine and aerial life He had just created. This recurring affirmation throughout Genesis 1 signifies God's complete satisfaction with His work, indicating that it lacked nothing, was free from flaw, and perfectly aligned with His divine intention.

#### 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/1-11 "Genesis 1:11 - Vegetation after its kind"), [Genesis 1:24](/genesis/1-24 "Genesis 1:24 - Land animals after their kind")). 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.

* [Psalm 104:24-26](/psalms/104-24-26 "Psalm 104:24-26 - God's Wisdom in Creation")
* [Job 41:1-34](/job/41 "Job 41 - The Leviathan and God's Power")
* [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - Worthy Are You, Our Lord and God, to Receive Glory and Honor and Power")

### 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
* **How does the sheer abundance and diversity of life described in Genesis 1:21 impact your understanding of God's character?**
* **What does God's declaration that His creation "was good" imply about our responsibility towards the natural world today?**
* **In what ways can recognizing God as the Creator of "great whales" and "every winged fowl" deepen your worship and trust in His power over all things, even those that seem formidable or beyond our control?**

### FAQ
**Does "after their kind" imply fixed species, or allow for variation?**

Answer: The phrase "after their kind" (Hebrew: _lĕmînēhû_) in [Genesis 1:21](/genesis/1-21 "Genesis 1:21 - God Creates Sea and Air Creatures") 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](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")). 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](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) and walking upon its surface ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")). 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](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God and Firstborn of Creation")). Through His redemptive work, creation, which groans under the weight of sin ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")), will ultimately be liberated and restored to its original, intended glory, reflecting the perfect goodness established by the Creator, Jesus Christ, in the beginning.

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 104:26

There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.

Genesis 1:25

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.

Genesis 8:19

Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, [and] whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.

Genesis 8:17

Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.

Genesis 6:20

Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every [sort] shall come unto thee, to keep [them] alive.

Exodus 1:7

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.