What number verse is Genesis 1:23 in the Bible?

Genesis 1:23 is the 23rd verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Genesis 1:23 sits at position 23.

Translation

King James Version

And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And the evening ^H6153 and the morning ^H1242 were the fifth ^H2549 day ^H3117.

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Complete Jewish Bible

So there was evening, and there was morning, a fifth day.

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Berean Standard Bible

And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

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American Standard Version

And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

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World English Bible Messianic

There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

So the euening and the morning were the fifte day.

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Young's Literal Translation

and there is an evening, and there is a morning--day fifth.

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In the KJVVerse 23 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Genesis 1:23 serves as the concluding statement for the fifth day of creation, a concise yet profound declaration that marks the completion of a pivotal phase in God's unfolding cosmic design. This verse punctuates the divine acts of bringing forth a vast array of life into the aquatic and aerial realms, underscoring God's meticulous order, deliberate progression, and the inherent goodness of His creative work.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Genesis 1:23 immediately follows God's magnificent commands and actions on the fifth day of creation. Verses Genesis 1:20-21 describe God's spoken word for the waters to "teem with swarms of living creatures" and for birds to "fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens." This command is swiftly followed by the creation of "great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind." God then blesses these newly created beings, commanding them to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth" (Genesis 1:22). The recurring phrase, "And the evening and the morning were the fifth day," functions as a divine punctuation mark, signifying the structured, purposeful, and complete progression of creation, a consistent pattern observed throughout the entire creation week in Genesis 1.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, creation accounts often featured chaotic struggles among deities or the emergence of the world from pre-existing matter. The Genesis account stands in stark contrast, presenting a singular, sovereign God who creates ex nihilo (from nothing) through His spoken word, bringing order out of formlessness. The concept of a "day" in the ancient world, particularly among the Hebrews, typically followed a sunset-to-sunset reckoning, beginning with the evening. This understanding is reflected in the phrase "evening and morning," which clearly delineates a complete, literal 24-hour period, distinguishing it from the more amorphous "ages" or "epochs" found in other cosmologies. This precise temporal framework highlights the deliberate, sequential, and non-evolutionary nature of God's creative acts, emphasizing His absolute control over time and space.
Key Themes: Genesis 1:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader book. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of Divine Order and Deliberate Progression. Each day's conclusion, marked by the "evening and morning" formula, demonstrates God's methodical, step-by-step approach to creation, bringing form and filling in a structured sequence, from light and sky to land, vegetation, celestial bodies, and finally, living creatures. Secondly, it highlights God's Sovereignty Over Time. By defining and concluding each day, God establishes the very fabric of temporal existence, demonstrating His absolute control not only over creation but over the passage of time itself. This sets a precedent for human understanding of time, work, and rest, culminating in the Sabbath rest of the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). Thirdly, it underscores the Completed Nature and Goodness of God's Work. The consistent declaration of a day's end implies that God's work for that period was perfectly accomplished and inherently good, as affirmed repeatedly in Genesis 1.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

evening (Hebrew, ʻereb', H6153): From the root meaning "to set" or "to grow dark," this term refers to the dusk or the period of darkness that begins a day in the ancient Hebrew reckoning. It signifies the transition from light to darkness and the commencement of a new temporal unit, emphasizing the cyclical nature of time as ordained by God.
morning (Hebrew, bôqer', H1242): Derived from a root meaning "to cleave" or "to break forth," this word describes the dawn, the breaking of day. When paired with "evening," it marks the transition from darkness to light and the completion of a full day cycle, underscoring the divine establishment of a complete, measurable temporal unit.
day (Hebrew, yôwm', H3117): This versatile term can denote a literal 24-hour period, the daylight portion of a day, or a more extended, indefinite period. In the context of Genesis 1, its consistent pairing with "evening" and "morning" and its numerical sequence strongly indicates a literal, sequential 24-hour period, emphasizing the precise and orderly progression of God's creative acts.

Verse Breakdown

"And the evening and the morning": This precise phrase, consistently repeated throughout the creation account (e.g., Genesis 1:5, Genesis 1:8, Genesis 1:13, Genesis 1:19, Genesis 1:31), establishes the divine definition of a "day." In ancient Hebrew reckoning, a day began with the evening (darkness) and concluded with the morning (light), signifying a complete cycle of 24 hours. This structure emphasizes God's methodical and orderly progression in creation, marking distinct, measurable periods of divine activity.
"were the fifth day": The numerical designation "fifth" unequivocally marks the completion of another specific, finite period within God's creative week. This declaration signifies that the work assigned to this particular day—specifically, the creation of sea creatures and birds—was fully accomplished and brought to its intended conclusion. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over time, His ability to initiate and conclude His creative acts with precision, and the progressive nature of His grand design, moving systematically towards its ultimate culmination.

Literary Devices

Genesis 1:23, like the other day-concluding verses in the creation account, primarily employs Repetition and Formulaic Language. The phrase "And the evening and the morning were the [ordinal] day" is a consistent refrain throughout Genesis 1. This Repetition serves several crucial functions: it provides a clear, rhythmic structure to the narrative, emphasizing the sequential and orderly nature of God's creative acts; it reinforces the concept of a literal, defined "day" as a unit of time; and it acts as a divine punctuation mark, signifying the completion and transition between distinct creative phases. This Formulaic Language lends an authoritative, solemn, and liturgical quality to the text, underscoring the divine origin and immutable nature of the creation account. It also aids in memorization and oral transmission, embedding the foundational truth of God's ordered creation into the consciousness of the audience.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Genesis 1:23, by marking the end of the fifth day, profoundly reinforces the theological truth of God's purposeful and ordered creation. It highlights that God is not a God of chaos, but of precision and design, bringing forth life and structure in a methodical sequence. Each "day" signifies a distinct, completed phase of His grand plan, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all of creation, including time itself. This consistent pattern of "evening and morning" establishes the very framework of temporal existence, setting a divine precedent for the rhythm of life, work, and rest, ultimately pointing to the Sabbath as a divine institution.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

As we reflect on God's meticulous and purposeful work in marking the conclusion of the fifth day, we are called to recognize His unwavering faithfulness in bringing His plans to completion. The divine declaration of "evening and morning" for each day reminds us that God operates with precision, order, and intentionality. This should inspire us to trust in His divine order for our own lives, knowing that He is sovereign over every season and will bring His promises to fruition in His perfect timing, just as He did in creation. It encourages us to embrace the rhythms of work and rest, acknowledging that just as God completed His work for each day, He also provides for our needs within the boundaries of His perfect design. We are invited to find peace in His sovereignty, knowing that He is actively working, bringing all things to their intended purpose, and that His creative power is still at work in the world and in our lives.

Questions for Reflection

How does the consistent pattern of "evening and morning" in Genesis 1 shape your understanding of God's character and His approach to creation?
In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in God's divine order and His perfect timing, rather than striving in your own strength?
How can reflecting on the completed nature of God's work on each day of creation encourage you when facing unfinished tasks or unfulfilled desires in your own life?

FAQ

What is the significance of the phrase "evening and morning" in Genesis 1:23?

Answer: This phrase, repeated throughout the creation account, is crucial for defining the nature of a "day" in Genesis 1. It signifies a literal 24-hour period, beginning with darkness (evening) and concluding with light (morning), consistent with ancient Hebrew reckoning. This precise demarcation emphasizes the orderly, sequential, and distinct nature of God's creative work, marking specific periods of divine activity and completion, rather than indefinite geological ages. It underscores God's control over time and His methodical approach to bringing creation into being, as seen in Genesis 1:5.

Why is the numerical designation "fifth day" important in this verse?

Answer: The use of a numerical adjective like "fifth" reinforces the idea of a chronological sequence of distinct, finite periods within the creation week. It clearly indicates that God's creative acts were not random or continuous, but were organized into specific, measurable segments of time. This numerical progression, leading systematically to the culmination of God's work on the sixth day and His rest on the seventh (Genesis 2:1-3), demonstrates God's intentional design, His methodical progression, and the completion of specific creative acts within defined temporal boundaries. It highlights the purposeful and deliberate nature of God's grand design for the cosmos.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Genesis 1:23 specifically marks the conclusion of the fifth day, its emphasis on divine order, completion, and God's sovereignty over time finds its ultimate fulfillment and revelation in Jesus Christ. He is the pre-existent Word through whom all things were made, and "without him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). Just as God brought each day of creation to its perfect finish, Christ is the one who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3) and brings all of God's redemptive plan to its perfect completion. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13), demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all time and creation, not just its initiation but its ongoing sustenance and ultimate consummation. In Christ, the divine order established in creation finds its ultimate purpose and redemption, as He is the one through whom God reconciles all things to Himself (Colossians 1:16-20).

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Commentary on Genesis 1 verses 20–23

20 ¶ 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.

21 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.

22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

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.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 20–23. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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