Genesis 1:31

¶ And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

And God {H430} saw {H7200} every thing that {H834} he had made {H6213}, and, behold, it was very {H3966} good {H2896}. And the evening {H6153} and the morning {H1242} were the sixth {H8345} day {H3117}.

God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.

And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Commentary

Genesis 1:31 marks the triumphant conclusion of God's six days of creation, declaring His entire work to be utterly perfect and complete. This verse serves as the divine seal of approval on the cosmos and all its inhabitants, including humanity.

Context

This verse stands as the final statement of the first creation account (Genesis 1:1-31), immediately preceding the description of the seventh day of rest. After each preceding day's work, God saw that it was "good" (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). However, upon the completion of all creation, including the creation of man and woman in His image on the sixth day, the assessment is elevated to "very good." It signifies the culmination of a perfect, harmonious, and fully functional world.

Key Themes

  • Divine Satisfaction and Approval: The phrase "God saw every thing that he had made" highlights God's careful review of His work, followed by His ultimate declaration of "very good." This signifies His complete pleasure, joy, and approval of all that He had brought into existence.
  • Original Perfection: This verse establishes the foundational truth that creation, as it came from God's hand, was flawless, without defect, corruption, or moral evil. It was a world perfectly suited for life and flourishing, laying the groundwork for understanding the subsequent Fall of humanity and its impact on creation.
  • Completeness and Harmony: "Every thing that he had made" emphasizes the totality and intricate design of God's work. The cosmos was a complete, interconnected system, operating in perfect harmony according to God's divine will.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "very good" is tov me'od (טוֹב מְאֹד). The word tov (good) in Hebrew is rich in meaning, encompassing not only moral goodness but also functional excellence, beauty, suitability, and completeness. The addition of me'od (very, exceedingly, utterly) intensifies this meaning to the highest degree. It implies an ultimate state of perfection, beyond mere adequacy—it was supremely excellent and absolutely flawless in every aspect, reflecting the character of its Creator.

Practical Application

Genesis 1:31 offers profound insights and applications for believers today:

  • Appreciation for God's Creation: It encourages us to marvel at the intricate design, beauty, and order of the world, recognizing it as the deliberate and perfect handiwork of a benevolent Creator.
  • Understanding the Origin of Evil: This verse clarifies that evil, suffering, and brokenness were not part of God's original creation but entered the world through human disobedience. It provides a crucial theological framework for understanding why the world is as it is.
  • Hope for Future Restoration: The original "very good" state serves as a benchmark for God's ultimate redemptive plan. It points forward to a time when God will indeed make all things new, restoring creation to a state of perfection even greater than its original glory, as described in passages like Isaiah 65:17 and Romans 8:19-22.
  • Trust in God's Character: It reinforces God's nature as a perfect, wise, and powerful Creator whose works are always complete and flawless, instilling confidence in His plans and purposes for humanity and the cosmos.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 4:4

    For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

  • 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 19:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

  • Psalms 19:2

    Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

  • Exodus 20:11

    For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

  • Psalms 104:31

    ¶ The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

  • Lamentations 3:38

    Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
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