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.

GENESIS 1:20KJV
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Genesis 1:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 1:20 mean?

Genesis 1:20 describes God commanding the waters to produce a great abundance of living creatures and for birds to appear and fly above the earth in the sky. This verse marks the beginning of animal life in the sea and the sky as part of the creation account.

In this verse, God is speaking, initiating the creation of aquatic animals and birds on the fifth day. The scene is set with the waters teeming with life and the skies filling with birds, showing a world coming alive with movement and diversity. The focus is on God’s creative word bringing forth life in both the sea and the air.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 1:20

  • אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): This is the Hebrew word for "God," emphasizing God's power and majesty as the Creator in this passage.
  • שָׁרַץ (sharats): Translated as "bring forth abundantly," this word suggests a swarming or teeming with life, highlighting the overflowing, active nature of creation in the waters.
  • נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh): Rendered here as "creature that hath life," this word often means "living being" or "soul," showing that these animals are more than just physical forms—they are living, animated beings.
  • רָקִיעַ (raqia): Translated as "firmament," this refers to the expanse or sky, the space where birds are to fly, emphasizing the separation between earth and sky in the creation narrative.

Why Genesis 1:20 matters

  • Genesis 1:20 clarifies that both sea creatures and birds were created by God’s direct command, not by chance or natural process alone, which is a key point in the biblical creation account.
  • The verse emphasizes the abundance and variety of life, using language that paints a picture of the waters and skies being filled to overflowing, which sets the stage for the richness of creation described in the following verses.
  • This verse connects to the broader structure of Genesis 1, where God systematically fills the environments He has made—first forming spaces (light, sky, land), then filling them with life (plants, animals, humans).