New International VersionGod blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”
New Living TranslationThen God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
English Standard VersionAnd God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
Berean Standard BibleThen God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
King James BibleAnd God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
New King James VersionAnd God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
New American Standard BibleGod blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
NASB 1995God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
NASB 1977And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
Legacy Standard BibleThen God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
Amplified BibleAnd God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
Christian Standard BibleGod blessed them: “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo God blessed them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
American Standard VersionAnd God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.
Contemporary English VersionThen he gave the living creatures his blessing--he told the ocean creatures to increase and live everywhere in the ocean and the birds to increase everywhere on earth.
English Revised VersionAnd God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationGod blessed them and said, "Be fertile, increase in number, fill the sea, and let there be many birds on the earth."
Good News TranslationHe blessed them all and told the creatures that live in the water to reproduce and to fill the sea, and he told the birds to increase in number.
International Standard VersionGod blessed them by saying, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the oceans. Let the birds multiply throughout the earth!"
NET BibleGod blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."
New Heart English BibleAnd God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the flying creatures multiply on the earth."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
World English BibleGod blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd God blesses them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the bird multiply in the earth”:
Young's Literal Translation And God blesseth them, saying, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and the fowl let multiply in the earth:'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd God will praise them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and birds shall multiply in the earth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd he blessed them, saying: “Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea. And let the birds be multiplied above the land.”
New American Bibleand God blessed them, saying: Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.
New Revised Standard VersionGod blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply on the earth.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters that are in the Seas, and the bird will increase in the earth.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And God blessed them, saying: 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd God blessed them saying, Increase and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the creatures that fly be multiplied on the earth.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Fifth Day… 21So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every bird of flight after its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22Then Godblessedthemand said,“Be fruitfuland multiplyand fillthe watersof the seas,and let birdsmultiplyon the earth.”23And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.…
Cross References Genesis 8:17Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.”
Genesis 9:1And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
Genesis 9:7But as for you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out across the earth and multiply upon it.”
Psalm 104:24-30How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. / Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small. / There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there. ...
Psalm 107:38He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish.
Psalm 128:3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table.
Isaiah 45:18For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 55:10-11For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
Jeremiah 31:35Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name:
Ezekiel 36:11I will fill you with people and animals, and they will multiply and be fruitful. I will make you as inhabited as you once were, and I will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Matthew 6:26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 10:29-31Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Acts 17:24-25The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
Romans 1:20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
Treasury of Scripture And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 8:17 Bring forth with thee every living thing thatis with thee, of all flesh,both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. Jump to Previous BirdsBlessedBlessethBlessingEarthFertileFillFowlFruitfulFullIncreaseIncreasedMakingMultiplySeasWaterWatersJump to Next BirdsBlessedBlessethBlessingEarthFertileFillFowlFruitfulFullIncreaseIncreasedMakingMultiplySeasWaterWatersGenesis 1 1.God creates heaven and earth;3.the light;6.the firmament;9.separates the dry land;14.forms the sun, moon, and stars;20.fishes and fowls;24.cattle, wild beasts, and creeping things;26.creates man in his own image, blesses him;29.grants the fruits of the earth for food.Then God blessed themThis phrase indicates the divine favor and empowerment given by God to His creation. The concept of blessing in the Bible often involves the granting of life, prosperity, and success. In the context of Genesis, this blessing is foundational, setting the stage for the flourishing of life on earth. The act of blessing is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, seen in God's covenant with Abraham ( Genesis 12:2-3) and the blessings pronounced by Jesus in the Beatitudes ( Matthew 5:3-12). and said, “Be fruitful and multiply
This command is a directive for reproduction and growth. It reflects God's intention for His creation to thrive and expand. The phrase is repeated inGenesis 9:1 to Noah and his sons after the flood, emphasizing its importance in God's plan for humanity and the animal kingdom. The command to be fruitful and multiply is also seen as a reflection of God's own creative nature, as He brings forth life and abundance. and fill the waters of the seas
This part of the verse highlights the vastness of the seas and the intention for them to be teeming with life. The seas in ancient Near Eastern culture were often seen as chaotic and untamed, yet here they are depicted as a domain to be filled with God's creatures. This reflects God's sovereignty over all creation, including the chaotic elements. The abundance of marine life is a testament to God's provision and the richness of His creation. and let birds multiply on the earth.”
The multiplication of birds on the earth signifies the spread of life across different domains—sky, land, and sea. Birds are often seen as symbols of freedom and transcendence, and their presence in the skies is a reminder of the vastness of God's creation. This command also points to the interconnectedness of ecosystems, as birds play crucial roles in pollination, seed dispersal, and maintaining ecological balance. The mention of birds can also be seen as a precursor to their symbolic use in later scriptures, such as the dove representing the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16). Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe Creator who blesses His creation, demonstrating His authority and benevolence. 2. Creatures of the SeaThe marine life created by God, which He commands to be fruitful and multiply. 3. BirdsThe avian creatures that God also commands to multiply on the earth. 4. The SeasThe vast bodies of water that God fills with marine life. 5. The EarthThe land where birds are to multiply, showcasing the diversity of God's creation. Teaching Points God's Blessing as EmpowermentGod's blessing is not just a wish but an empowerment for His creation to fulfill its purpose. We, too, are empowered by God's blessings to fulfill our God-given purposes. The Importance of MultiplicationThe command to be fruitful and multiply is foundational to God's design for life. In our lives, this can translate to spiritual multiplication—sharing our faith and nurturing others in their spiritual growth. Stewardship of CreationAs God commands His creation to multiply, we are reminded of our role as stewards of the earth, responsible for caring for and preserving the environment. God's Provision and CareJust as God provides for the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air, He provides for us. Trusting in His provision is a key aspect of our faith journey. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 1:22?
2.How does Genesis 1:22 demonstrate God's blessing and purpose for creation's multiplication?
3.What does "be fruitful and multiply" reveal about God's design for life?
4.How can we apply the principle of fruitfulness in our daily lives?
5.What other scriptures emphasize God's command to multiply and fill the earth?
6.How does understanding Genesis 1:22 enhance our appreciation of God's creative power?
7.How does Genesis 1:22 align with scientific understanding of species reproduction and multiplication?
8.What theological significance does God's blessing in Genesis 1:22 hold for creation?
9.How does Genesis 1:22 reflect God's intention for biodiversity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 1?
11.What does the Bible say about blessing and cursing?
12.What does the Bible say about blessing and cursing?
13.What characteristics define living organisms?
14.Were birds created from water or from the ground? (Genesis 1:20-21 vs. Genesis 2:19)What Does Genesis 1:22 Mean Then God blessed themGod’s first spoken blessing lands on the living creatures He has just formed—every fish, whale, dolphin, and seabird (Genesis 1:21). Picture the Creator leaning in with favor, not merely permitting life but empowering it. Throughout Scripture, blessing always carries a tangible effect—look later atGenesis 1:28, where the same language propels humanity forward, andGenesis 9:1, where it restarts creation after the flood.Psalm 104:24-28 echoes this sustaining favor as God “gives them their food in season.”
and saidThe blessing is delivered through God’s spoken word. In Genesis, every creative act flows from “God said” (Genesis 1:3, 1:6, 1:9). His voice is the engine of existence (Psalm 33:6).Hebrews 11:3 reminds us that “the universe was formed at God’s command.” Here, the words do more than communicate; they activate life’s capacity to multiply.
Be fruitful and multiplyThis concise charge is both permission and mandate. • Fruitfulness—producing offspring—means each species continues as God originally designed. • Multiplication—expanding numbers—secures the stability of ecosystems. The same two verbs reappear with Noah (Genesis 8:17; 9:7) and again with Abraham’s line (Genesis 17:2), underscoring God’s ongoing plan to fill His world with life.
and fill the waters of the seasThe oceans, vast and dynamic, are divinely earmarked to teem with creatures (Psalm 104:25). God’s instruction ensures that every niche—coral reef, deep trench, rolling tide—will pulsate with created wonder.Isaiah 45:18 affirms that He “formed the earth… to be inhabited,” and that includes the watery realms.
and let birds multiply on the earthWhile the waters are to be filled, the sky and land are to be enlivened by winged creatures. From soaring eagles to tiny sparrows, birds testify daily to God’s provision (Matthew 6:26) and ownership (Psalm 50:11). Their multiplication adds song, color, and motion to the planet, reflecting the Creator’s delight in variety.
summaryGenesis 1:22 records God’s first explicit blessing, actively empowering sea life and birds to reproduce and populate their respective domains. The verse showcases His favor, His authoritative word, and His purpose that the whole earth—oceans, skies, and land—would overflow with living testimony to His creative greatness. (22) Be fruitful, and multiply.--This blessing shows that the earth was replenished with animal life from a limited number of progenitors, and probably from a small number of centres, both for the flora and for the fauna. Verse 22. - And God blessed them. To bless is to wish well to ( Genesis 27:4; Numbers 6:23). In the case of God blessing inanimate things, it signifies to make them to prosper and be abundant ( Exodus 23:25; Job 1:10; Psalm 65:11). The nature of the blessing pronounced upon the animal creation had reference to their propagation and increase. Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. The paronomastic combination, be fruitful and multiply, became a regular formula of blessing (cf. Genesis 24:60; Genesis 35:11; Genesis 48:4; Psalm 128:3, 4). The Divine benediction was not simply a wish; but, adds Calvin, "by the bare intimation of his purpose he effects what men seek by entreaty." Nor was it meaningless that the words of benediction were addressed to the creatures; it was designed to teach that the "force of the Divine word was not meant to be transient, but, being infused into their natures, to take root and constantly bear fruit" (Calvin).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeblessedוַיְבָ֧רֶךְ(way·ḇā·reḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to cursethemאֹתָ֛ם(’ō·ṯām)Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case[and] said,לֵאמֹ֑ר(lê·mōr)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Be fruitfulפְּר֣וּ(pə·rū)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6509:To bear fruit, be fruitfuland multiplyוּרְב֗וּ(ū·rə·ḇū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or greatand fillוּמִלְא֤וּ(ū·mil·’ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 4390:To fill, be full ofthe watersהַמַּ֙יִם֙(ham·ma·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semenof the seas,בַּיַּמִּ֔ים(bay·yam·mîm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3220:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basinand let birdsוְהָע֖וֹף(wə·hā·‘ō·wp̄)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5775:Flying creaturesmultiplyיִ֥רֶב(yi·reḇ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or greaton the earth.”בָּאָֽרֶץ׃(bā·’ā·reṣ)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, land
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OT Law: Genesis 1:22 God blessed them saying Be fruitful (Gen. Ge Gn) |
