Genesis 1:22

Authorized King James Version

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְבָ֧רֶךְ
blessed
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#2
אֹתָ֛ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
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
#4
לֵאמֹ֑ר
them saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
פְּר֣וּ
Be fruitful
to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)
#6
יִ֥רֶב
and multiply
to increase (in whatever respect)
#7
וּמִלְא֤וּ
and fill
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הַמַּ֙יִם֙
the waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#10
בַּיַּמִּ֔ים
in the seas
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#11
וְהָע֖וֹף
and let fowl
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
#12
יִ֥רֶב
and multiply
to increase (in whatever respect)
#13
בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
in the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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

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