Genesis 1:21 net — God created the great sea creatures and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their…

NET Bible

"God created the great sea creatures and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. God saw that it was good."

— Genesis 1:21, NET Bible

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Genesis 1:21 in Other Translations

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Genesis 1 — Context

18

to preside over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.

19

There was evening, and there was morning, a fourth day.

20

God said,“Let the water swarm with swarms of living creatures and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.”

21

God created the great sea creatures and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. God saw that it was good.

22

God blessed them and said,“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

23

There was evening, and there was morning, a fifth day.

24

God said,“Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” It was so.

Genesis 1:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 1:21 say?
Genesis 1:21 in the NET Bible reads: “God created the great sea creatures and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. God saw that it was good.”
Where is Genesis 1:21 in the Bible?
Genesis 1:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 21.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 1:21.
What translation should I read Genesis 1:21 in?
Genesis 1:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 1:21?
Genesis 1:21 reads (NET): “God created the great sea creatures and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. God saw that it was good.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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