Genesis 1:20

Letters to the Faithful - Genesis 1:20

Berean Standard Bible

And God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.”

King James Bible

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.

Hebrew Text:

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים יִשְׁרְצ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם שֶׁ֖רֶץ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֑ה וְעוֹף֙ יְעוֹפֵ֣ף עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ עַל־פְּנֵ֖י רְקִ֥יעַ הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

Transliteration:

Vayomer Elohim yishretzu hamayim sheretz nefesh chayah ve'of ye'ofef al-ha'aretz al-penei raki'a hashamayim.

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And God said,

This phrase emphasizes the power and authority of God's word in creation. Throughout Genesis 1, God's spoken word brings forth life and order from chaos. This reflects the concept of divine fiat, where God's will is enacted through His speech. The New Testament echoes this creative power in John 1:1-3, where Jesus, the Word, is described as the agent of creation.

“Let the waters teem with living creatures,

The command for waters to teem with life introduces the abundance and diversity of marine life. This reflects God's provision and the richness of His creation. The Hebrew word for "teem" suggests a swarming or multiplying, indicating the prolific nature of aquatic life. This abundance is mirrored in the blessings given to humanity and creation, as seen in Genesis 1:28, where God commands humans to "be fruitful and multiply."

and let birds fly above the earth

The creation of birds highlights the filling of the sky, complementing the filling of the waters. Birds are often seen as symbols of freedom and transcendence, and their creation on the fifth day signifies the completion of the environments of sky and sea. In biblical symbolism, birds can represent spiritual truths, as seen in Matthew 6:26, where Jesus uses birds to teach about God's provision.

in the open expanse of the sky.”

The "open expanse" refers to the firmament created on the second day, separating the waters above from the waters below. This expanse, or sky, is a testament to God's order and structure in creation. The Hebrew term for "expanse" can also mean "firmament," indicating a solid dome-like structure, reflecting ancient Near Eastern cosmology. The sky's vastness points to God's majesty and the heavens' declaration of His glory, as expressed in Psalm 19:1.

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Genesis 1:20, which reads, “And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens,’” marks a pivotal moment in the creation account of Genesis 1, introducing the creation of animal life in the sea and sky on the fifth day. This verse, embedded within the carefully structured narrative of Genesis 1:1–31, reflects the power of God’s word, the diversity of His creation, and the purposeful order of His creative acts. To fully appreciate its significance, we must explore its literary and theological context, its linguistic nuances, its connections to ancient Near Eastern thought, and its implications for understanding God’s relationship with creation and humanity’s role within it.

The broader context of Genesis 1 is the majestic account of God’s creation of the cosmos, presented in a structured, seven-day framework. By day five, God has already created light (day 1), the sky and seas (day 2), dry land and vegetation (day 3), and the sun, moon, and stars (day 4). Each day follows a pattern: God speaks, creation responds, and God declares it good. Genesis 1:20–23 describes the fifth day, where God populates the waters and the sky with living creatures, marking the first appearance of animate life. This act prepares the way for the creation of land animals and humans on day six (1:24–31), culminating in the Sabbath rest on day seven (2:1–3). The chapter’s repetitive structure—“And God said,” “it was so,” “and God saw that it was good”—emphasizes God’s sovereignty, intentionality, and the goodness of His creation.

The phrase “And God said” underscores the power of God’s creative word, a central theme in Genesis 1. In Hebrew, the verb ’amar (“said”) introduces God’s authoritative command, through which creation comes into being (cf. Psalm 33:6, 9). Unlike ancient Near Eastern myths, where creation often involves conflict among gods or emerges from preexistent chaos, Genesis presents God as the sole, unchallenged Creator whose word alone brings order and life. This divine speech in verse 20 initiates the creation of “living creatures” (Hebrew: nephesh chayyah), a term that denotes beings with life or breath, distinguishing them from the inanimate creation of previous days. The emphasis on God’s word highlights His effortless sovereignty, as creation responds obediently to His command.

The command “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures” is rich with vivid imagery. The Hebrew verb sharats (“swarm”) conveys abundance and teeming vitality, suggesting a profusion of life filling the seas. The noun sherets (“swarms”) reinforces this sense of multiplicity, encompassing a wide variety of aquatic creatures, from fish to marine organisms. This language reflects the diversity and fruitfulness of God’s creation, a theme echoed in the blessing of verse 22, where God commands these creatures to “be fruitful and multiply.” The focus on the “waters” connects to day two (1:6–8), where God separated the waters to create the seas and the expanse of the heavens. By populating the waters, God fills the domains He established, bringing order and purpose to the formless void of 1:2.

The second part of the verse, “and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens,” introduces the creation of birds, which inhabit the sky created on day two. The Hebrew term ’oph (“birds” or “winged creatures”) is broad, potentially including not only birds but also flying insects or other airborne creatures. The phrase “across the expanse of the heavens” (literally, “upon the face of the expanse of the heavens”) emphasizes their movement within the sky, the domain God designated as the “heavens” (1:8). This imagery of flight conveys freedom and dynamism, contrasting with the swarming motion of sea creatures yet paralleling their abundance. The pairing of sea and sky creatures on day five mirrors the structural symmetry of Genesis 1, where the domains created on days 1–3 (light, sky/seas, land) are filled on days 4–6 (lights, sea/sky creatures, land animals/humans).

Theologically, Genesis 1:20 underscores several key themes. First, it affirms God’s sovereignty and creativity. The effortless command to create diverse life forms highlights His limitless power and imagination, contrasting with the limited, often chaotic deities of ancient Near Eastern myths. Second, the verse emphasizes the goodness and purposefulness of creation. The teeming life in the seas and skies reflects God’s delight in diversity and abundance, a theme reinforced when God declares it “good” in verse 21. Third, the creation of “living creatures” introduces the concept of nephesh chayyah, a term later applied to humans (2:7), suggesting a continuity between animal and human life while distinguishing humans as God’s image-bearers (1:26–27). This shared life underscores the interconnectedness of creation under God’s care.

The verse also resonates with the cultural and literary context of the ancient Near East. In Mesopotamian creation stories, such as the Enuma Elish, the sea is often a chaotic force associated with gods like Tiamat, and creation involves conflict. In contrast, Genesis 1 presents the waters as part of God’s ordered creation, obediently producing life at His command. The “swarms” and “birds” may also counter myths where certain creatures were deified or feared, affirming that all life is under God’s authority. For the original audience, likely Israelites in the post-exilic period, this narrative would have reinforced their identity as worshipers of the one true God, distinct from surrounding cultures.

Historically, the creation account served to ground Israel’s theology and worldview. Written in a time when Israel faced pressures from Babylonian or Persian influences, Genesis 1 declared God’s unrivaled sovereignty over all creation, including the seas and skies often revered in pagan cosmologies. The emphasis on God’s orderly creation would have encouraged a people rebuilding their identity after exile, affirming that their God was the Creator of all things, worthy of trust and worship. The creation of sea and sky creatures also set the stage for humanity’s role as stewards (1:28), a calling relevant to Israel’s covenant relationship with God.

For contemporary readers, Genesis 1:20 offers rich theological and practical insights. It invites awe at the diversity and beauty of creation, encouraging appreciation for the natural world as a reflection of God’s creativity. The abundance of life in the seas and skies challenges modern tendencies to exploit or neglect creation, calling believers to responsible stewardship. Theologically, the verse affirms God’s ongoing care for His creation, as seen in His blessing of fruitfulness (1:22), which parallels His care for humanity. The use of nephesh chayyah for animals invites reflection on the value of all life, while the distinction of humans as image-bearers underscores their unique responsibility to reflect God’s character in caring for creation.

In the broader scope of Genesis, this verse contributes to the narrative’s portrayal of a purposeful, ordered cosmos under God’s sovereign rule. It sets the stage for the creation of humans, who are tasked with exercising dominion in a manner that honors God’s design (1:28). The emphasis on God’s word as the means of creation resonates throughout Scripture, finding its ultimate expression in John 1:1–3, where the Word (Christ) is the agent of creation. The blessing of fruitfulness in 1:22 also prefigures God’s covenant promises to multiply His people (e.g., Genesis 12:2), linking creation to redemption.

In conclusion, Genesis 1:20 is a theologically rich verse that celebrates God’s sovereign power, creative diversity, and purposeful order in populating the seas and skies with life. Its vivid imagery of swarming and flying creatures reflects the abundance and vitality of God’s creation, while its place in the Genesis 1 narrative underscores the harmony of God’s design. For the original audience, it affirmed the Creator’s authority over all things, grounding their identity and worship. For modern readers, it calls us to marvel at God’s creativity, steward His creation responsibly, and trust in His sovereign care, recognizing that the same word that brought life into being continues to sustain and redeem His world.

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To all who walk by faith in the living God, Creator of heaven and earth, Sustainer of all that lives and breathes, grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of the One who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. I write to you today with joy and reverence, with the purpose of stirring your hearts toward wonder, faith, and worship, as we turn our attention to the very beginning of the Scriptures, to the first chapter of the book of beginnings, Genesis 1:20: “And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.’”

Here we behold the voice of God in creation. Not a distant spark, not a myth fashioned by man’s imagination, but the divine will of the Almighty expressed through His word—commanding, forming, and filling. By this word, creation was summoned into being; by this word, the void gave way to abundance; by this word, the earth began to flourish with life. There is no struggle here, no conflict between competing deities, no uncertain evolution from chaos. There is only God—eternal, sovereign, unopposed—speaking with authority, and the universe responding in obedience.

On the fifth day of creation, the Creator begins to fill the environments He had previously formed. He had already separated the waters from the dry land, called the seas and the sky into order, and now He populates them with living things. He fills the sea with swarms of life—an abundance of creatures great and small, moving in the depths and swimming through currents yet untouched by man. And He causes birds to fill the skies, to soar above the land, across the expanse of the firmament. The waters teem. The skies flutter. Life multiplies because God has spoken.

Let us pause and consider: why does this matter to us who live generations removed from Eden, in cities of stone and steel, in a world of distraction and noise? It matters because the creation account is not merely a record of origins—it is a revelation of who God is, of what He values, and of how He works. Genesis is not just a chronology; it is a theology. It reveals the character of the Creator and His intentions for the world He made.

We learn first that our God is a God of life and abundance. He did not create sparingly. He did not fill the seas with a few, or populate the sky with only a handful of birds. He commanded the waters to swarm with swarms. He ordered the heavens to be filled with flying creatures. This is the heart of God—to create not with minimalism, but with lavish generosity. In His mind, the world should be full, vibrant, and overflowing with vitality. From the coral reef to the mountaintop, from the ocean trench to the eagle’s flight, life was called forth by His word, and it came in joyful obedience.

This truth confronts the poverty of our imaginations and the limits of our trust. Too often, we think of God in small terms, as though He is reluctant to bless, hesitant to provide, or bound by scarcity. But from the very beginning, He reveals Himself as the Giver of life, the Filler of empty places, the One who calls forth beauty and complexity with a single command. If He can cause the sea to teem with countless fish and the sky to fill with birds on a single day by the power of His word, how much more can He bring life to the barren places of our hearts, homes, and communities?

We must also see that God delights in diversity. He did not create one kind of bird or one kind of fish, but many kinds—each unique, each designed with purpose, color, function, and form. The world is not painted in grayscale, but in living color. Our God is creative, and His creativity is seen in the variety of the natural world. This speaks to the value of uniqueness within the body of Christ. We are not all made alike, and we are not called to conform to sameness. The God who made the parrot and the eagle, the whale and the minnow, has made each of us with a distinct design, a unique role, and a contribution to bring. Let us not despise our differences, but let us celebrate the manifold wisdom of God displayed in the diversity of His people.

Furthermore, there is a deep lesson for us in the fact that God filled the environments He first prepared. He did not create fish before the waters, nor birds before the sky. He made a place before He filled it. This is a pattern we see throughout Scripture—preparation, then fulfillment. God prepares hearts before He pours out His Spirit. He shapes character before He sends calling. He forms the vessel before He fills it with oil. This is the wisdom of God. If you are in a season where you feel empty or unseen, do not despair. It may be that God is preparing the environment of your life for a greater filling yet to come. Do not rush the process. Let Him separate the waters, raise the land, shape the sky—He will fill what He forms, in His time.

Let us also take this verse as a call to stewardship. The world God made is alive with His fingerprints. Every bird that soars, every fish that swims, bears witness to the voice that called it forth. We are not the owners of this world; we are its caretakers. Let us not abuse what He has declared good. Let us not ignore the wonder around us. In a world consumed by artificial things, may we pause to marvel at the natural things—the glory of a sunrise, the simplicity of a sparrow’s song, the power of a crashing wave. These are sermons in motion, reminders that creation still responds to the word of its Maker, and calls us to do the same.

Finally, this verse points us to the One who is the Living Word, Jesus Christ. For all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. The same Word who called forth birds and fish in Genesis is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. He came not only to restore fallen man, but to restore the entire creation. In Him, the groaning of the world finds hope. In Him, the barrenness of our souls finds renewal. In Him, the same voice that said, “Let the waters swarm,” now says, “Come to Me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” He is the voice of creation and the voice of redemption. And He is still speaking.

So let us listen. Let us believe. Let us trust in the power of His voice to bring life where there was none, to fill what was empty, to call forth beauty out of chaos. May we live as those who are alive to the presence of God in the world around us and alive to His Spirit within us. May our faith be stirred by the God who fills the sky and the sea, and who still delights to fill hearts today.

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O Sovereign and Everlasting God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, we lift our hearts to You in awe and gratitude, giving thanks that You are the God who speaks and brings forth life. From the very beginning, You have revealed Yourself as the Author of beauty, the Giver of order, the Fountain of all living things. And now, O Lord, as we consider the words You declared in Genesis 1:20—“And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens’”—we come before You in reverent prayer, to worship, to learn, and to be made new by the power of Your Word.

Lord, You are the God who speaks with purpose. When You said, “Let there be light,” light came into existence. And when You said, “Let the waters swarm,” the seas obeyed. Life burst forth at the sound of Your voice. The silent oceans were filled with movement. The skies, once still and untouched, came alive with the flutter of wings and the freedom of flight. You, O Lord, filled the emptiness with abundance, You brought forth complexity from the formless, and You delighted in what You made. We praise You, Lord, for You are not a distant Creator who built the world and stepped away. You are the present and purposeful Lord, who fills and sustains all things by the word of Your power.

We thank You, God, that You are not a God of scarcity, but of fullness. You caused the waters to swarm with swarms—a multiplication of life, an explosion of vitality and diversity, a demonstration of Your extravagant creativity. And we confess, Lord, how often we live as though You were stingy with Your goodness. We doubt Your provision. We question Your plans. We grow anxious in seasons of emptiness, forgetting that You are the One who fills. Teach us, O God, to trust in Your timing. Teach us to believe that just as You once filled the oceans and the skies, You can and will fill the empty places of our lives—with joy, with hope, with purpose, and with the life of Your Spirit.

You, O Lord, are the One who prepares and then populates. Before You made living creatures, You formed their environments. You separated the waters, stretched out the skies, laid the foundations of the earth, and then You called forth life into the places You had ordered. In this we see Your wisdom. You do not rush. You are not chaotic. You are the God of preparation. So we pray, Father, prepare us. Form us. Shape the landscape of our souls, the framework of our hearts, the foundation of our character. Do the quiet, deep work in us that must come before the visible fruit. Help us to wait in the hidden seasons with faith, knowing that the One who forms will surely fill.

And Lord, You did not create just one kind of fish or one type of bird, but many kinds, each with its own shape, function, pattern, and voice. You are the God of glorious diversity, and in Your creativity we see not randomness, but intentionality. So we pray, teach us to honor Your design. Teach us to celebrate the uniqueness You have placed in every living soul. Help us, Your people, to resist the temptation to compare and conform, and instead to embrace the beauty of Your multifaceted body. Let the Church reflect the splendor of Your creation—the unity of purpose, the diversity of gifts, the harmony of those called according to Your will.

You filled the sky with birds, and You caused them to fly above the earth. O God, how often we live with our heads down, bound by the weight of our circumstances, when You are calling us to rise—to walk in the Spirit, to set our minds on things above, to soar by the wind of Your grace. Help us, Lord, to rise above sin, above fear, above the entanglements of the world. Let us mount up with wings like eagles, running and not growing weary, walking and not fainting. Let the flight of the birds remind us that we were not made to crawl in spiritual stagnation, but to live by faith, in freedom, and in awe.

And You, Lord, filled the waters with life unseen—depths unexplored by man, creatures unknown to the human eye. In this we are reminded that much of Your work is hidden. You do more than we can perceive. Your purposes run deeper than our understanding. Teach us to trust in what we cannot see. Help us to praise You not only for the visible miracles, but for the quiet mercies, the deep workings, the unseen provisions of grace. Let our faith be anchored in Your unshakable word, not in the shallow pools of human evidence.

We pray also, Lord, that as You once filled the natural world with living creatures, so now You would fill Your Church with the breath of heaven. Let us be a people alive in You—vibrant, holy, fruitful, and free. Let Your Spirit move in us, like the wind across the waters, stirring us to life, to worship, to mission, and to love. May our congregations not be still waters, but teeming rivers. May our prayers not be cold repetition, but the voice of those filled with the breath of God. May our gatherings not be dead formality, but the meeting place of heaven and earth, where the voice of the Creator still speaks, and the people of God still respond with joyful obedience.

And finally, Lord, we look ahead to the day when You will make all things new. Just as You once brought life from nothing, so You shall raise the dead from the dust and usher in a new creation, where sorrow is no more, and the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Until that day, may we walk as those who belong to You, the living God. Let our words carry life. Let our hands bring healing. Let our steps reflect the paths of peace. And let our lives be a witness to the God who still speaks, who still creates, and who still fills what was once empty.

To You be glory and honor, now and forever, in Jesus’ holy name.

Amen.