Genesis 1:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yesterday, we delivered a stern warning; today, we will communicate with humility, treating their souls as extensions of our own.

Your spiritual growth inspires us, and it is our joy to witness you flourishing in godly matters, displaying virtue and turning away from destructive habits. However, when we observe you yielding to the devil's temptations, our hearts are filled with sorrow and a sense of shame overflows our spirits. Like the Apostle Paul, we find ourselves alive in your steadfastness in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:8). Therefore, as wise and sensible individuals, let us forget the past and strive forward, renewing the commitments you have made to Christ, and upholding them with steadfastness. With discernment, let us block all entry points to the devil’s deceit and diligently cleanse ourselves of the defilements that have come upon us due to negligence. We must overcome harmful habits, recognizing that those who indulge in such actions do not only inflict harm upon themselves but also become a source of temptation for others. Indeed, when both Gentiles and Jews see someone who regularly attends church and listens to the teachings suddenly participating in such activities, will they not question the truths we uphold and evaluate all our beliefs?

Do you not hear the urgent counsel of the Apostle Paul, who proclaimed, “Give no occasion for an offense” (1 Corinthians 10:32)? And lest you think this admonition is only for his immediate community, he included: “Not to Jews nor to Greeks, nor to the church of God.” Nothing is more damaging to our faith than leading unbelievers into temptation. When they observe some of us shining with virtue and showing disdain for worldly pleasures, it can provoke annoyance or astonishment at our differing lifestyles. Conversely, should any inadequacy appear in us, they will readily generalize and condemn all Christians, holding the entire faith accountable for one person's failings. Moreover, they may even dare to blaspheme our universal Lord, rationalizing their own shortcomings by pointing to the failings of others.

This underscores the immense peril faced by those who provide occasions for blasphemy. Heed the words of the prophet, who declares, “Woe to you, for my name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Isaiah 52:5). A chilling and grave statement! It resembles the lament of one mourning those destined for inevitable punishment. Just as those whose negligence invites the infidel to blaspheme will face severe consequences, so too will the virtuous be rewarded with countless crowns. As Christ taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Just as the faithless, plagued by the unrepentance of some Christians, utter slander against our Lord, when you strive for righteousness, others will not merely praise you but will be prompted to honor your Father in heaven upon witnessing the radiance of your good works.

In the process, as they glorify Him, our rewards are multiplied, for God bestows countless blessings upon those who honor Him: "Those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed" (1 Samuel 2:30). Therefore, beloved, let us conduct ourselves in ways that bring glory to our Lord, sparing no one the opportunity to stumble because of us. The blessed Apostle constantly instructs us on this principle; in one instance, he remarks: “If food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again” (1 Corinthians 8:13), and in another: “Thus, sinning against the brethren and wounding their weak consciences, you sin against Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:12). This admonition carries profound weight and invites condemnation! Do not presume the harm is limited to the one tempted; it reaches Christ Himself, who was crucified for that individual. If your Lord did not hesitate to be crucified for him, will you not commit to avoiding causing Him any temptation?

Undoubtedly, throughout his teachings, he emphasizes that our well-being depends on this duty. Thus, he also writes in another letter, “Take heed not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4); and in another place, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23). Observe the wisdom of the Apostle! Though I may have the freedom to engage in certain actions without detriment to myself, I refrain from doing so if it does not contribute to my neighbor's edification. Here is a loving soul! This one does not seek only his own benefit but exhibits the highest virtue of caring for others' growth in faith.

In light of this understanding, let us remain vigilant against anything that may jeopardize the wealth of your virtue. Let us avoid actions that could harm our neighbors. Such neglect not only increases sin but also prepares us more severely for judgment. We must not disregard even the most inconsequential person and think, "What concern is it of mine if he is led astray?" What do you mean by that? Tell me. What concern is it of yours? Christ commands you to lead a life so pure that onlookers marvel at you and glorify your Lord instead—yet you act contrary to this directive, inciting blasphemies instead. Are you truly untroubled? Is this behavior reflective of one who possesses a pious heart and understands God's commandments?

However, should someone have previously spoken indifferently and out of habit in this way, upon accepting this counsel, they may begin to avoid such improper language and strive to act in a manner that does not draw condemnation from the ever-watchful eye, nor elicit reproaches from their conscience, lest those witnessing them speak ill of the Lord. If we maintain such mindfulness in our actions, we will receive immense mercy from the Lord, evading the snares of the devil. When he sees our vigilance, realizing his efforts are in vain, he will retreat in disgrace.

That serves as a proper introduction. Now, let us present our beloved you with today’s reading of Scripture, preparing for you a spiritual feast by considering what the blessed Moses, or rather, what the Holy Spirit speaks through him. What does He declare? “And God said, Let the waters bring forth living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of heaven.” And it was so. Observe the Lord's humanity as He expounds on His creation with divine order! First, He illustrates how, by His command, the earth bore fruit; then He revealed the creation of the two great lights, elucidating their brilliance alongside the dazzling stars, enhancing the beauty of the firmament. Now, He turns to the waters, demonstrating that from His word and command, living creatures emerged. “Let the waters bring forth living creatures," He decrees, "and let birds fly across the earth over the expanse of heaven.” What intellect can fathom such marvel? What tongue can adequately extol the Creator's glory? He merely commanded, "Let the earth produce," and it immediately did; likewise, He now commands, "Let the waters bring forth."

Observe how harmonious His commands are! In one instance, He says, "Let it bring forth," and in the other, "Let the waters bring forth living creatures." Just as He instructed the earth, leading to an abundance of flowers, herbs, and seeds, each thriving according to His single command, the same applies here: "Let the waters produce living creatures," and "Let the birds soar across the earth." Instantly, innumerable species of creatures appeared, far beyond our capacity to number. The word is succinct; the speech singular; yet the types of animals are countless and diverse. Marvel not, dear friends: this is the word of God, and through His utterance, all creation came into being.

Witness the thoroughness of doctrine. Observe the Lord's grace toward us! How could we have grasped it so deeply unless He, in His infinite and indescribable humility, chose to enlighten humanity through the voice of the prophet? This way, we might comprehend the order of creation and the Creator's omnipotence, recognizing how His word transforms into fulfillment, and how His decree outlines the nature of creation. Yet, there are ungrateful ones who, despite such instruction, still refrain from belief and deny the existence of a Creator of the visible realm, asserting that all came to be by chance, or from pre-existing substances. Do you see how cunningly the devil has duped those who have succumbed to this deception?

Therefore, blessed Moses, guided by God’s Spirit, instructs us meticulously so that we may avoid falling into the same folly as these individuals and instead grasp the clear order and method of creation. Had God not prioritized our salvation and illuminated us through the prophet's language, it would have sufficed to state that He created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all creatures, without detailing the sequence of the days or the specific creation events. Yet, to leave the ungrateful with no excuse for their disbelief, Moses meticulously delineates both the order of creation and the number of days, teaching us all with immense patience, so that once we have learned the truth, we would no longer heed the false teachings of those who propagate their own conjectures, but comprehensively appreciate the incomprehensible might of our Creator. And it was so, as we are told.

There is no doubt that creatures like frogs, gnats, and mosquitoes have emerged from the water. Current evidence supports the reality of what has come before. Thus, every body of water promptly obeyed the Creator's command, and the vibrant and motion-filled life of countless species emerged through the immense and unfathomable might of God, as the waters were granted the power to reproduce. "Let the waters teem with living creatures." For the first time, an animal imbued with life and consciousness came into existence. Although plants and trees possess a nourishing and vegetative power attributing life to them, they do not yet embody true animated beings. For this reason, "let the waters bring forth species that move." Everything that floats on the water's surface or navigates its depths belongs to the category of creatures with bodies adapted to water, as they rely upon it for existence. While some aquatic animals possess limbs and can walk, like seals, crocodiles, hippos, frogs, and crayfish, their predominant characteristic remains swimming. Therefore, "let the waters be filled with living creatures." What kinds are encompassed in these brief words? What is missing from this vibrant command? Are viviparous creatures, such as seals and dolphins, excluded? Do we not also find spawning fish, which include various hard-shelled and soft-shelled species, among those mentioned? The tone of the command is succinct or rather, it transcends mere sound; it is an echo and manifestation of divine will. However, the essence of the command is as diverse as the distinctions and commonalities found among fish, making it as futile to detail them as it is to count the waves of the sea or attempt to measure its waters with bare hands. "Let the waters be filled with living creatures." This encompasses sea dwellers, those from coastal regions, as well as beings from the depths and those that inhabit rocky spaces, some swimming in schools while others are solitary, such as whales and both large and small fish. From the same divine authority and directive, both great and small creatures come into existence. "Let the waters be filled." This indicates that aquatic animals are inherently linked to water; fish cannot endure long without it, as they lack the ability to inhale air. What is essential for terrestrial beings, air, is equivalent to water for aquatic creatures. This truth is evident. In humans, lungs contain voids and cavities that, through the chest's expansion, breathe in air to cool internal heat; in fish, the gills take the place of inhalation, allowing the reception and expulsion of water. Fish have a unique purpose, nature, diet, and lifestyle. Consequently, swimming creatures cannot easily be tamed or accustomed to human touch. "Let the waters bring forth living creatures according to their kinds." Here, God commands the emergence of each species, akin to nature's seeds, while a multitude of living beings remains hidden for future growth and multiplication. Another classification encompasses intergeneric creatures like shells, combs, sea snails, spindles, and countless varieties of oysters. Additionally, there are soft-bodied creatures, such as crabs and crayfish. Another category includes soft-bodied animals like polyps and cuttlefish. Furthermore, there are infinite distinctions among them, with some creatures resembling poisonous reptiles more closely than fish. There are different types of spawning creatures and those that give live birth. Live offspring emerge from loaches and cartilaginous animals. Viviparous species include most dolphins, whales, and seals, about which it is said that their newborns, frightened, often retreat back into their mothers’ wombs for safety.

However, designations applied where full characteristics are absent are rendered meaningless. For instance, when someone presents true bread, we affirm that it accurately embodies the term's meaning. In contrast, if one were to present an artificially crafted object resembling bread—made of stone—that shares similar appearance and size but lacks the essential quality of nourishment, we would conclude that the stone's designation as bread is improper and not based on true meaning. The same reasoning applies to all entities described in a manner that fails to encompass their correct attributes, giving rise to names that do not align with proper terminology.

Thus, while the soul may exhibit perfection in mental capability and the gift of speech, any entity not fully embodying these qualities may bear a name akin to the soul, yet it falls short of being recognized as the true soul, existing instead as a mere vital function. The nature of non-sentient beings, though closely linked to this earthly life, has also been provided by the Creator for human use, allowing it to serve as sustenance. As stated, "You shall eat all meats as herbal potions" (Genesis 9:3). The distinction between sensory activity and nourishing activity devoid of perception thus appears minimal! This should instruct those who consume flesh to refrain from fixating solely on sensory perceptions while appreciating the benefits of the soul, for it is therein that the authentic essence of the soul is revealed, with senses similarly present in non-sentient entities.

However, our discussion has veered towards another aspect. Our intention was not to assert that the mental capabilities derived from human thought surpass the material aspects of existence, but rather to emphasize that our intellect is not partitioned into segments but is whole and interconnected in all things. It neither encapsulates them externally nor is confined within them, as those limitations only apply to physical vessels or corporeal forms that encompass one another. The mind’s interaction with the physical realm occurs through a mysterious and incomprehensible connection; it does not reside within the body, as the incorporeal cannot be contained, nor does it envelop the external, as the incorporeal does not encircle anything. Rather, in a peculiar and unfathomable manner, the mind engages with the nature around it, being acknowledged both in its presence and proximity without dwelling inside or confining it. The only way to describe this relationship is to note that when the nature of being is harmoniously aligned, the mind operates effectively; conversely, if it encounters any detriment, the extent of that loss correlates with the mind's performance.

Likewise, for the reptiles, He established shelters in the earth, allowing them to remain hidden so they would not harm humanity. However, in His profound wisdom, the Lord occasionally permits a few among countless individuals to be harmed by scorpions or bitten by snakes, prompting us to fear such afflictions and to earnestly call upon the Creator for His protection and guidance through His all-powerful Providence.

In recounting the fifth day, the creative action, the entities brought forth, and the divine blessing upon these new creatures are highlighted for contemplation. To initiate the creation of the first animals, God commands the waters: "Let the waters bring forth." This decree does not imply that life-giving power is conferred solely to the waters—rather, the act of creation is ascribed to God Himself (Genesis 1:21). Moreover, the waters are not the exclusive source from which all initial animals arise; it is understood through experience that all living beings incorporate various elements. However, it is elucidated that the physical makeup of fish and similar creatures is suited to the aquatic environment, which serves as their habitat, and to the substances present within the waters that constitute their nourishment.

Ultimately, a specific origin or "seed" is indicated, from which, in accordance with the divine command, these creatures were destined to emerge, positioned in the designated part of creation as orchestrated by the Spirit of God, who moved over the waters. The call to the waters for the generation of animals, as rendered in the Septuagint and the Slavonic translations, implies that birds also originate from water. Conversely, in another passage, Moses appears to describe the creation of birds from the earth (Genesis 2:19), where "earth" may refer not only to dry land but to the planet in its entirety. However, it is unnecessary to attribute the origin of birds solely to either the waters or the dry land; rather, we ought to posit that, in accordance with God's will, they manifested as fliers across the earth beneath the heavens. This perspective aligns with God's declaration, faithfully reflecting the intent of Moses's words, and supports the harmonious relationship between animals and the elements, which stands out in the creation narrative.

The entities created on the fifth day encompass creatures described as reptiles, or in the precise terminology used by Moses, as multiparous. This term typically applies to fish and insects; it is not exclusively reserved for aquatic beings but also encompasses some terrestrial animals (Leviticus 11:20, Leviticus 11:29). Here, it particularly refers to those residing in waters, including amphibians, and to birds that soar above the ground under the firmament. When interpreted distinctly, these terms also suggest various genera of birds; notably, תנינים, which signifies serpents and large fish.

When God commands the waters to bring forth living creatures, it signifies that the waters, by themselves, without the direct intervention of divine power, could not infuse life into the beings dwelling within them. Therefore, it is stated, ‘And God created every soul of the animal creeping things.’ The waters, which are designed by the Creator to produce these creatures, encompass not only the water itself but also the earth beneath it, with its spaces and habitats ready for aquatic inhabitants. The term ‘creeping things’ emerging from the waters specifically refers to certain amphibious reptiles (such as frogs, turtles, and lizards). However, the author is not limiting this to these creatures alone; it encompasses all inhabitants of the ocean, including fish, which are grouped with reptiles due to shared characteristics in their movement. Like reptiles, fish do not walk but seem to glide or crawl in the water, moving along their bellies. The scripture further notes, ‘And the birds that fly upon the earth upon the firmament of the heavens.’ A more precise translation from the original Hebrew would read, ‘and the birds shall fly upon the earth.’ This encompasses not only birds but all winged creatures, including flying insects. Both groups are a direct manifestation of God’s omnipotent will.