Genesis 1:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God commands the waters and air to fill with life: creatures that swim and birds that soar.
The Context of Genesis 1:20
The fifth day of creation; God commands the waters and the firmament to burst forth with animal life.
What Does Genesis 1:20 Mean?
On the fifth day, life multiplies. The waters, which God had gathered and blessed, are now told to bring forth life abundantly. The word 'abundantly' (sherets in Hebrew) means to swarm, to teem, to overflow. This is not a sparse creation but a lavish one. The waters will bubble with movement, with creatures of every kind. And above, in the very firmament God had established on day two, the birds will fly. Notice the poetry of it: the same space that holds the great lights will hold the wings of birds. Creation is layered, each element in relationship with others. The waters that were divided on day two now pour forth their living contents.
There is a generosity here that speaks to God's heart. He does not create a bare minimum but abundance. The seas will team with life. The sky will fill with flight. This is creation not with restraint but with exuberance.
Genesis 1:20 in the Original Language
sherets (שרץ), 'bring forth abundantly' or 'teem' -- literally means to swarm or overflow; conveys fullness and profusion
Where Genesis 1:20 Echoes in Scripture
In Matthew 6:26, Jesus points to the birds of the air as evidence of God's care. In Revelation 4:11, all creatures are said to exist for God's pleasure, echoing the delight in abundance seen here in Genesis 1:20.
How to Apply Genesis 1:20 Today
We live in a world created for abundance and life. When we see schools of fish or flocks of birds, we witness the direct result of God's command. We are invited to participate in this abundance, not by hoarding but by receiving gratefully and giving generously, as the Creator does.