Genesis 1:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Where are those who boldly ask about the purpose of beasts and reptiles? They should heed the words of sacred Scripture: and God saw that it was good. Does the Creator of all things endorse what He has made, yet you find the audacity to scorn it? What folly is this! Just as the earth yields not only fruitful trees but also barren ones, and not only beneficial herbs but also some that are unknown or even harmful to us, no one thinks to malign these creations. Everything has a purpose, and nothing is made in vain. Indeed, the Creator would not bestow commendation upon something that lacked usefulness.

The repetition of the phrase "And God created," following the statement "And it came to be so," should be interpreted in light of the aforementioned principle. The term "cattle" refers, in my opinion, to all four-legged creatures that exist under human stewardship. When it states that "God saw that it was good," these words should be understood in their literal sense.

The command was issued, and the earth received its distinctive adornment. It is stated, "Let the waters of the abysses bring forth the souls of the living," and similarly, "Let the earth bring forth the soul of the living." Is the earth itself alive? Are the most learned Manichaeans correct in asserting that it possesses a soul? When He commanded, "let it be poured out," it does not imply that the earth would exhaust what was already there, but rather that by His command, the earth was granted the capacity to yield forth. When the earth heard, "Let the herb and the fruitful tree sprout," it did not draw forth the plants concealed within, nor did it allow the palms, oaks, or cypresses, hidden in its depths, to emerge to the surface, but rather it was through God's word that the very essence of living creatures was brought forth. "Let the earth sprout," means let it release not what it already possesses, but let it receive what it has not been given, just as God empowers creation to act. Thus, "Let the earth bring forth a soul," signifies not what is inherently within, but what God imparts by this command. Furthermore, the Manichaean doctrine contradicts itself; if the earth were to remove the soul, it would render itself soulless. The folly of their belief is clear. Why are the waters commanded to produce “the creeping things of the souls of the living,” while the earth is given the task of producing “the soul of the living”? This distinction seems to suggest that those who swim are existing in a less perfect state of being, for they reside in tumultuous waters. Their perception is dulled and their ability to remember or understand is limited. Aquatic creatures seem to have their carnal existence dominating their mental faculties while on land, in creatures whose lives are more refined, the soul holds authority. Among the majority of four-legged animals, the senses are heightened, presentiments are clearer, and the recollection of past experiences is intricate. Therefore, it seems that living beings are generated in water (for the gades of living souls emerge from it), while on land, it is commanded for a soul to govern the body, so that terrestrial beings may be more fully engaged with the vitality of life. Although terrestrial animals may be mute, each one naturally reveals their emotional states through sounds—expressing joy, sorrow, yearning for familiarity, hunger, and the longing due to separation from companions, among many other states. Aquatic creatures, on the other hand, are not only mute, but also untrainable, lacking any inclination for meaningful interaction with humans. “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib” (Isaiah 1:3), but the fish cannot recognize its feeder. A donkey remembers familiar voices and pathways traversed numerous times, often guiding a lost person. Land animals do not possess such acute hearing. Which sea creature could emulate the camel's obstinacy, its fury, and prolonged resentment? The camel, once wounded, harbors its wrath until the right moment for revenge arises. Consider, hard-hearted individuals, who mistakenly perceive your spite as a virtue. To whom do you resemble when you nurse grievances against your neighbor like a spark smoldering in ashes that ignites into flames upon receiving an excuse? “Let the earth destroy the soul of the living.” Why does the earth remove the soul of life? So that you might recognize the difference between the souls of beasts and that of humans. Soon you will understand how the soul of man was brought forth, but for now, reflect on the soul of the mute. As Scripture states, “the soul of every creature is its blood” (Leviticus 17:11), and since coagulated blood typically transforms into flesh, and decaying flesh returns to the earth, it is fair to consider the souls of cattle as earthly. Thus, “Let the earth destroy the soul of the living.” Examine the connection of soul to blood, blood to flesh, flesh to earth, and then in reverse analyze from earth to flesh, flesh to blood, and blood to soul, and you will find the souls of cattle are of the earth. Do not assume it predates their bodily existence or continues post their demise. Shun the ramblings of morose philosophers who shamelessly equate their souls with those of beasts, claiming they were once wives, trees, and sea creatures. Though I won't assert they ever were fish, I do declare when they wrote such nonsense, they were surely more foolish than fish. “Let the earth destroy the soul of the living.” You may wonder why I remained silent for so long amid the profusion of words. The keen listeners realize the reason for my pause. This is evidenced by their glances exchanged, silently drawing my focus to what I had neglected. A whole class of creatures, not insignificant in number, remains hidden from us, and my discourse hardly touched upon it (birds—see Genesis 1:20).

What did the initial banquet of words appear as for you? I find myself comparing my dialogue to the eagerness of a humble host who aspires to present themselves as affluent but can only offer modest fare, causing some annoyance among guests as his inadequacy becomes apparent. My discourse reflects something similar, unless you say otherwise. However, whatever it may amount to, do not disdain it. For Elisha was not reproached by his peers for his lack of sumptuous offerings, even when he served them “wild greens” (2 Kings 4:39). I am familiar with the art of circumlocution, though not its origin, for I encountered it in the works of others. In line with these conventions, some interpret what is written in an uncommon sense, designating water as something else entirely, and ascribing meanings to plants, fish, and animals based on their own perceptions, much like dream interpreters analyze visions in accordance with their desires. When I hear the term grass, I comprehend it as grass; likewise with plant, fish, beast, and cattle, I accept each term at face value. "I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Romans 1:16). Since those who have written on earthly matters have speculated extensively about its shape—whether spherical, cylindrical, circular with equal sharpness on all sides, or tray-like with a central hollow (all these hypotheses have been debated, with each author refuting the previous ones)—I cannot concede our narrative of peace to be of lesser value merely because Moses, the servant of God, did not engage in such discussions. He did not state that the earth's circumference was one hundred eighty thousand stadia, nor did he measure the extent of the earth's shadow when the sun sinks below it, causing eclipses. If he chose silence regarding matters extraneous to us as if they bore no significance, should we regard the words of the Spirit as less vital than human wisdom? Should I not honor Him who spared us from futile topics and ensured all was recorded for the edification and well-being of our souls? It appears some have failed to comprehend this, intending through their interpretations to impart value to the Scriptures through personal insight. Such actions presume to elevate themselves above the Spirit's words, convoluting their own thoughts under the guise of interpretation. Therefore, let us interpret as written. "Let the earth destroy the soul of the living," including cattle and beasts. Envision the divine command permeating all creation, which began once, remains active, and will continue until the end of time. Just as a ball set rolling on an incline, propelled by its shape and position, converges towards the bottom and does not halt until overtaken by another force, so too does the essence of living beings, driven by that same command, traverse the continuum of reproduction and decay, maintaining the succession of life until the ultimate conclusion, for it begets horses from horses, lions from lions, and eagles from eagles, with each species perpetuated in succession until the world's end. Time neither deteriorates nor erases the characteristics found in living creatures. Indeed, their nature, as freshly created, flows seamlessly with the passage of time. "Let the earth destroy the soul of the living." This decree is fulfilled upon the earth, which continually obeys its Creator. One aspect emerges through the continuity of what existed prior, while another draws life from the earth itself. For the earth not only produces locusts in the rainy season and countless species of birds that soar in the sky—many of which, due to their diminutive size, remain unnamed—but it also gives rise to mice and toads. In Egypt, particularly near Thebes, after heavy rains during the heat, fields suddenly fill with field mice. We observe that eels are formed not from eggs or another means but originate from the very earth. "Let the earth cast out the soul." Cattle are terrestrial animals and return to the earth; however, humanity is celestial in origin, marked by both its physical design and the dignity of its soul. What about the appearance of quadrupeds? Their gaze is directed low, toward the earth, seeking satisfaction for their physical desires. Your gaze, however, should be lifted heavenward, seeking your hope. Hence, even if at times you debase yourself through base desires, acting in pursuit of physical gratification and becoming like "unthinking cattle" (Psalm 48:13), your true focus should aspire to “seek things above, where Christ is” (Colossians 3:1) and elevate your thoughts beyond worldly matters. As your vision is directed, so too should your life be shaped. “For our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20); your true homeland is the heavenly Jerusalem, and your fellow citizens are “the firstborn written in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23). "Let the earth bring forth the soul of the living." Thus, the soul of the voiceless, which is hidden within, did not emerge from the earth but came forth by divine decree. The soul of the voiceless is singular, as its defining characteristic is voicelessness. Every animal, however, possesses distinct traits; the ox is steadfast, the donkey is sluggish, the horse is eager for mating, the wolf remains indomitable, the fox is treacherous, the deer is timid, the ant is industrious, and the dog is loyal and remembers past friendships. Each creature was uniquely crafted by the Creator, endowed with specific natural characteristics. The lion is born fierce, living a solitary existence, regarding peers with disdain. As the king of the mute, he does not tolerate his equals. He does not allow prey set aside since evening to tempt him, nor does he return to any remnants of his hunt. Nature equipped him with such vocal cords that, despite the swiftness of many animals, they are often captured solely by his roar. The leopard is quick and agile in pursuit, given a form that grants him flexibility and swiftness to match his thoughts. The bear’s nature is cumbersome, and he is known for his cunning, secrecy, and heavy build—characteristics fitting for a cold dwelling beast. If we speak of the instinctual behavior of these mute animals regarding their lives, either we shall be compelled to consider our own souls' salvation or we risk condemning ourselves further if we find ourselves lacking even in imitation of their instincts. The bear, despite suffering deep wounds, often heals itself by applying grass—cowslip, which possesses drying properties. The fox utilizes pine resin for its healing. The turtle, after consuming the flesh of an echidna, uses oregano as an antidote against toxins. Even a foresight of changing weather does not cloud reasonable understanding. A sheep, prior to winter’s onset, voraciously consumes fodder as if preparing for leaner times. Cattle, confined through harsh winters, naturally seek the exit when spring arrives, behaving as if responding to a predetermined signal. Observers have noted that a hedgehog, when on land, constructs two entrances in its burrow; if the north wind prevails, it opens the northern exit, while it shifts to the other when the south wind blows. What does this imply to us as humans?

God instructed, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds, livestock, creeping things, and wild animals of the earth, each according to its kind’ (Genesis 1:24-25). From a single decree came diverse creatures: the gentle sheep and the fierce lion, each reflecting the innate qualities of their nature. Likewise, various silent animals exemplify different human traits: the clever fox embodies human cunning, the snake represents those who harm their friends with malice, the neighing horse symbolizes passionate youth, and the diligent ant serves as a lesson for the idle and unmotivated.

God observed that it was good. Consequently, the earth was fully populated with living beings in all its aspects.

God formed the animals, and this indicates that the earth, which was commanded to sustain the creatures intended to dwell upon it, serves merely as an instrument of the Creator, not as the origin of their existence. Only the omnipotence of the Creator can bestow life upon them according to their kinds, ensuring that each species retains its distinct identity and cannot transform into another. The Creator’s approval is evident in the animals, not just in their initial state but also in their ongoing existence. Although the fall of Adam brought certain imperfections upon them, they continue to reflect the wisdom and goodness of the Creator. Their bodies are intricately designed to meet their needs for sustenance and protection.