Genesis 1:21

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּבְרָ֣א

H1254

created

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

אֱלֹהִ֖ים

H430

And God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַתַּנִּינִ֖ם

H8577

whales

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

הַגְּדֹלִ֑ים

H1419

great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְאֵ֣ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נֶ֣פֶשׁ

H5315

creature

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

הַֽחַיָּ֣ה׀

H2416

and every living

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#10

הָֽרֹמֶ֡שֶׂת

H7430

that moveth

properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm

#11

אֲשֶׁר֩

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#12

שָׁרְצ֨וּ

H8317

brought forth abundantly

to wriggle, i.e., (by implication) swarm or abound

#13

הַמַּ֜יִם

H4325

which the waters

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

#14

לְמִינֵ֔הוּ

H4327

after his kind

a sort, i.e., species

#15

וְאֵ֨ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#16

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#17

ע֤וֹף

H5775

fowl

a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively

#18

כָּנָף֙

H3671

and every winged

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

#19

לְמִינֵ֔הוּ

H4327

after his kind

a sort, i.e., species

#20

וַיַּ֥רְא

H7200

saw

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#21

אֱלֹהִ֖ים

H430

And God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#22

כִּי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#23

טֽוֹב׃

H2896

that it was good

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?

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