Gen 1:9-30 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 1:9-10: 1:9-10 Let the waters ... flow together: Other ancient cultures viewed the sea as a hostile force. Genesis shows God as further restraining chaos (see study note on 1:2) by prescribing specific boundaries for the sea. The flood—an act of God’s judgment (6:7 )—undid these boundaries and returned the earth to chaos (7:1-24 ).

Summary for Gen 1:9-10: 1:9-10 ^a Let the waters ... flow together: Other ancient cultures viewed the sea as a hostile force. Genesis shows God as further restraining chaos (see study note on 1:2) by prescribing specific boundaries for the sea. The flood—an act of God’s judgment (6:7 ^b)—undid these boundaries and returned the earth to chaos (7:1-24 ^c).
Summary for Gen 1:14-31: 1:14-31 ^d On days 4–6, God filled the domains that had been formed during days 1–3 (1:3-13 ^e). 1:14 ^f Let them ... mark the seasons, days, and years: The movement of the heavenly bodies defined Israel’s liturgical calendar, whose roots in creation gave a sacred timing to Israel’s festivals and celebrations (see Exod 23:15 ^g; Lev 23:4 ^h).
1:16 ⁱ In the surrounding pagan cultures, the two great lights were worshiped as deities, but in Genesis they serve God and humanity (see Ps 136:7-9 ^j; Jer 31:35 ^k). The sun and moon are not named; they are simply called the larger one and the smaller one. Not including their names may have reminded Israel that they were not gods.

• govern: Cp. 1:26 ^l, 28 ^m; Ps 136:9 ⁿ.

• the stars: The starry heavens testify to God’s creative power as they proclaim his glory (Pss 19:1 ^o; 148:3 ^p). They do not predict the future, as Israel’s neighbors believed (see Jer 10:2 ^q).
1:21 ^r Contrary to the pagan idea that the great sea creatures were co-eternal with God, Genesis states that God created them and is sovereign over them. The Hebrew word tanninim (“creatures”) elsewhere refers to crocodiles (Ezek 29:3 ^s), powerful monsters (Jer 51:34 ^t), or the sea creature Leviathan (Isa 27:1 ^u; cp. Job 41:1-34 ^v).
1:22 ^w God blessed them: God’s blessing commissions and enables the fulfillment of what God has spoken (see thematic note for Blessing at end of chapter).

• Let the fish ... let the birds: These directives define the blessing. The fish and birds are fertile by God’s command, not by pagan ritual, as some of Israel’s neighbors thought.
1:26 ^x Let us make is more personal than the remote “Let there be” (e.g., 1:3 ^y, 6 ^z).

• The plural us has inspired several explanations: (1) the Trinity; (2) the plural to denote majesty; (3) a plural to show deliberation with the self; and (4) God speaking with his heavenly court of angels. The concept of the Trinity—one true God who exists eternally in three distinct persons—was revealed at a later stage in redemptive history, making it unlikely that the human author intended that here. Hebrew scholars generally dismiss the plural of majesty view because the grammar does not clearly support it (the plural of majesty has not been demonstrated to be communicated purely through a plural verb). The plural of self-deliberation also lacks evidence; the only clear examples refer to Israel as a corporate unity (e.g., 2 Sam 24:14 ^aa). God’s speaking to the heavenly court, however, is well-attested in the Old Testament (see Gen 3:22 ^ab; 11:7 ^ac; 1 Kgs 22:19-22 ^ad; Job 1:6-12 ^ae; 2:1-6 ^af; 38:7 ^ag; Ps 89:5-6 ^ah; Isa 6:1-8 ^ai; Dan 10:12-13 ^aj).

• The descriptors in our image and like us are virtually synonymous in Hebrew. Humans enjoy a unique relationship with God.

• They will reign: Humans represent the Creator as his ambassadors, vice-regents, and administrators on earth.
1:27 ^ak The first poetry of Genesis reflectively celebrates God’s climactic feat in creating humankind.

• human beings: This term (Hebrew ha-’adam, “the man”) is often used to denote humanity collectively (see 6:1 ^al, 5-7 ^am; 9:5-6 ^an). Though traditionally translated “man,” gender is not at issue here; both male and female are included.
1:28 ^ao God blessed them: See study note on 1:22; see also 17:16 ^ap; 48:16 ^aq; Deut 7:13 ^ar.

• said: God’s message to humankind is direct and intimate; we are stewards of his delegated authority.

• govern... . Reign: As God’s vice-regents, humans are entrusted with the care and management of the world God created (see also Gen 9:2 ^as; Ps 8:5-8 ^at).
Summary for Gen 1:29-30: 1:29-30 ^au These verses highlight the extent (throughout the earth) and variety (every seed-bearing plant ... all the fruit trees) of God’s provision for humans, animals, and birds.