Genesis 1:21 Meaning: What Does 'Created' Mean? The Great Sea Monsters
God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.
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.
And God created the great sea-monsters, and every living creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind: and God saw that it was good.
And God prepareth the great monsters, and every living creature that is creeping, which the waters have teemed with, after their kind, and every fowl with wing, after its kind, and God seeth that it is good.
And God created the great sea monsters, and every living soul that moves with which the waters swarm, after their kind, and every winged fowl after its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Meaning in one sentence
God created great sea monsters and all swimming things, and birds. What does the Hebrew 'bara' mean? What are the 'tanninim'?
Context
On the fifth day, God speaks and the waters begin to teem. Genesis 1:20 records the command: “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth.” Then verse 21 shows the fulfillment. God creates the great sea creatures, every moving thing that swarms in the waters, and every winged bird. Each is made “after their kind,” a phrase repeated throughout the chapter to show order and purpose. The day ends with God seeing that it was good (v. 21). This verse stands as the first appearance of “living creatures” (nephesh) in the creation account—animals with breath and movement, from the tiny to the immense. The language of “created” here points to a new stage in God’s work.
Key Words
The verb “created” translates the Hebrew bara. Commentators note that this word often marks a new beginning. In the surrounding chapter, God “makes” (asah) the expanse and the lights, but here the writer chooses bara, as in Genesis 1:1 and the creation of humanity (1:27). For the Cambridge Bible, this marks the first appearance of animal life (nephesh) on earth. Calvin, however, cautions that bara does not necessarily mean creation out of nothing in this moment; he suggests the material had already been formed, and bara refers to shaping from existing matter. Either way, God alone is the source of life.
The phrase “great sea creatures” translates the Hebrew tanninim. The term can mean whales, but also large marine reptiles like crocodiles, or any long, stretching creature. Adam Clarke notes that the word is general, covering all enormous aquatic animals, from the whale to the shark. In surrounding nations, myths often spoke of great sea monsters as forces of chaos that a god had to defeat. Genesis simply lists them as part of God’s good creation—made, ordered, and blessed. Even the most awe-inspiring creatures are not rival gods; they are His handiwork.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in different ways. Reformed theologian John Calvin stressed that the word “created” here does not exclude the use of pre-existing material; the waters already existed, and God formed the animals from them. Anglican scholar of the Cambridge Bible saw it as a fresh beginning, the point at which animal soul (nephesh) first appeared. Methodist commentator Adam Clarke delighted in the contrast between microscopic creatures and the great sea monsters, seeing God’s glory in both. Baptist expositor John Gill drew on Jewish traditions about Leviathan and its mate, treating the tanninim as real creatures that displayed God’s might. Across traditions, Christians confess that God made all things, from the smallest plankton to the largest whale, and that all are under His authority. The verse also rejects any view that these creatures were deities to be feared.
Living This Out
What does this verse ask of a reader today? It invites us to look at the natural world with fresh eyes. When you see a bird crossing the sky or glimpse an image of a deep-sea creature on a screen, you are seeing something God called good. The sea teems with life beyond our full knowing, yet God knows and orders each kind. The great sea monsters, those ancient images of power, were never a threat to God. He made them. When something feels chaotic or larger than life, remember that the Creator who set bounds for the oceans and filled them with swarming life also holds your days. You can trust His goodness, even in the deep.
For Families
For ages 5–8
God made the huge animals that live in the ocean, like whales and large fish. He also made all the tiny fish and the birds that fly in the air. God looked at everything He made and said, “It is good!” We can see God’s goodness in the animals all around us.
For ages 9–12
When the Bible says God “created” the great sea creatures, it uses a special word that points to His power to bring new life into the world. The “great sea creatures” (called tanninim in Hebrew) could be whales, giant squids, and other enormous sea animals, including some now extinct. In other ancient stories, people feared sea monsters and thought they were gods. But Genesis says God made them. They are part of His good creation, not something to fear. When you see a bird or think about the deep ocean, remember that the same God who made those things is watching over you.
Questions People Ask
What does 'God created great whales' mean in Genesis 1:21?
The King James Version renders the Hebrew phrase as 'great whales.' However, the original word tanninim is broader and can refer to any large marine creature—whales, sharks, giant squids, or even extinct reptiles. The point is that God made these enormous creatures, and they are not rival gods but part of His ordered creation.
What are the 'great sea monsters' (tanninim) in Genesis 1:21?
The Hebrew term tanninim can describe serpents, dragons, crocodiles, or other long, stretched-out creatures. In ancient Near Eastern myths, sea monsters often symbolized chaos that a god had to defeat. Genesis presents them simply as creatures God created. This shows that even the most awe-inspiring animals are under His authority and are called 'good.'
Why does Genesis 1:21 use the word 'created' instead of 'made'?
The verb bara often marks a significant act of God, such as the creation of the heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1) or humanity (1:27). Some interpreters see it as the introduction of conscious animal life (nephesh). Others, like John Calvin, noted that bara here might refer to forming from existing water rather than creating from nothing. Either way, it emphasizes God's unique power to give life.
Does Genesis 1:21 teach that all sea life appeared on the same day?
Christians hold different views on the length of the creation days. Some read the fifth day as a literal 24-hour period, so God created all water creatures and birds suddenly. Others understand the days as long ages, allowing for gradual development. The text's main emphasis is that God brought forth these creatures according to their kinds, and He alone is their source. Believers can differ on the timeline while affirming the same Creator.
For pastors & researchers
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