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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 1:22 Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/1-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/01_Gen_01_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 1:22 - The Fifth Day" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then God blessed them and said, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/1-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/1-22.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/1-21.htm" title="Genesis 1:21">◄</a> Genesis 1:22 <a href="/genesis/1-23.htm" title="Genesis 1:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />God blessed them and said, &#8220Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />God blessed them, saying, &#8220Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God blessed them: “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So God blessed them, &#8220Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />God blessed them and said, "Be fertile, increase in number, fill the sea, and let there be many birds on the earth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />God blessed them by saying, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the oceans. Let the birds multiply throughout the earth!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God blessed them and said, ?Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the flying creatures multiply on the earth." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And God blesses them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the bird multiply in the earth”:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And God blesseth them, saying, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and the fowl let multiply in the earth:'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And God will praise them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and birds shall multiply in the earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he blessed them, saying: “Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea. And let the birds be multiplied above the land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and God blessed them, saying: Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas; and let the birds multiply on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And 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.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And God blessed them, saying: 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/1-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=180" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/1.htm">The Fifth Day</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>So 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. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">Then God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: way·ḇā·reḵ (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">blessed</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6509.htm" title="6509: pə·rū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To bear fruit, be fruitful. A primitive root; to bear fruit.">“Be fruitful</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: ū·rə·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">and multiply</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: ū·mil·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">and fill</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: bay·yam·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">of the seas,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5775.htm" title="5775: wə·hā·‘ō·wp̄ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Flying creatures. From uwph; a bird, often collectively.">and let birds</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: yi·reḇ (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">multiply</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">on the earth.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/8-17.htm">Genesis 8:17</a></span><br />Bring 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">Genesis 9:1</a></span><br />And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-7.htm">Genesis 9:7</a></span><br />But as for you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out across the earth and multiply upon it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24-30</a></span><br />How 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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-38.htm">Psalm 107:38</a></span><br />He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/128-3.htm">Psalm 128:3</a></span><br />Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-18.htm">Isaiah 45:18</a></span><br />For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-10.htm">Isaiah 55:10-11</a></span><br />For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-35.htm">Jeremiah 31:35</a></span><br />Thus 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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-11.htm">Ezekiel 36:11</a></span><br />I 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Matthew 6:26</a></span><br />Look 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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-29.htm">Matthew 10:29-31</a></span><br />Are 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-6.htm">Luke 12:6-7</a></span><br />Are 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24-25</a></span><br />The 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20</a></span><br />For 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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/8-17.htm">Genesis 8:17</a></b></br> Bring forth with thee every living thing that <i>is</i> with thee, of all flesh, <i>both</i> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">Genesis 9:1</a></b></br> And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/revelation/22-14.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-16.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/revelation/22-14.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-8.htm">Fertile</a> <a href="/revelation/18-6.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/genesis/1-21.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/colossians/1-10.htm">Fruitful</a> <a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Full</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-18.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/revelation/18-15.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/genesis/1-11.htm">Making</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/genesis/1-10.htm">Seas</a> <a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/1-21.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">Blesseth</a> <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/1-24.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/9-1.htm">Fertile</a> <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Fruitful</a> <a href="/genesis/3-10.htm">Full</a> <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/genesis/7-17.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/genesis/2-3.htm">Making</a> <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/genesis/49-13.htm">Seas</a> <a href="/genesis/2-6.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/6-17.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">God creates heaven and earth;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-3.htm">the light;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-6.htm">the firmament;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">separates the dry land;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">forms the sun, moon, and stars;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">fishes and fowls;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-24.htm">cattle, wild beasts, and creeping things;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">creates man in his own image, blesses him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">grants the fruits of the earth for food.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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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 (<a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a>) and the blessings pronounced by Jesus in the Beatitudes (<a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3-12</a>).<p><b>and said, “Be fruitful and multiply</b><br>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 in <a href="/genesis/9.htm">Genesis 9:1</a> 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.<p><b>and fill the waters of the seas</b><br>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.<p><b>and let birds multiply on the earth.”</b><br>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 (<a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Creator who blesses His creation, demonstrating His authority and benevolence.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/creatures_of_the_sea.htm">Creatures of the Sea</a></b><br>The marine life created by God, which He commands to be fruitful and multiply.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/birds.htm">Birds</a></b><br>The avian creatures that God also commands to multiply on the earth.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_seas.htm">The Seas</a></b><br>The vast bodies of water that God fills with marine life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_earth.htm">The Earth</a></b><br>The land where birds are to multiply, showcasing the diversity of God's creation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_blessing_as_empowerment.htm">God's Blessing as Empowerment</a></b><br>God'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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_multiplication.htm">The Importance of Multiplication</a></b><br>The 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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_creation.htm">Stewardship of Creation</a></b><br>As 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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_care.htm">God's Provision and Care</a></b><br>Just 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.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_blessing_vs._cursing.htm">What does the Bible say about blessing and cursing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'soft_answer_turns_away_wrath'.htm">What does the Bible say about blessing and cursing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_living_organisms.htm">What characteristics define living organisms?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/birds__from_water_or_ground.htm">Were birds created from water or from the ground? (Genesis 1:20-21 vs. Genesis 2:19)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">Be fruitful, and multiply.</span>--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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And God blessed them</span>. To bless is to wish well to (<a href="/genesis/27-4.htm">Genesis 27:4</a>; <a href="/numbers/6-23.htm">Numbers 6:23</a>). In the case of God blessing inanimate things, it signifies to make them to prosper and be abundant (<a href="/exodus/23-25.htm">Exodus 23:25</a>; <a href="/job/1-10.htm">Job 1:10</a>; <a href="/psalms/65-11.htm">Psalm 65:11</a>). The nature of the blessing pronounced upon the animal creation had reference to their propagation and increase. <span class="cmt_word">Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.</span> The paronomastic combination, be <span class="accented">fruitful and multiply</span>, became a regular formula of blessing (cf. <a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a>; <a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a>; <a href="/genesis/48-4.htm">Genesis 48:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/128-3.htm">Psalm 128:3, 4</a>). 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). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/1-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blessed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְבָ֧רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḇā·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹתָ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] said,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Be fruitful</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(pə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6509.htm">Strong's 6509: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear fruit, be fruitful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and multiply</span><br /><span class="heb">וּרְב֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·rə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and fill</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִלְא֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mil·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the waters</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּ֙יִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the seas,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיַּמִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yam·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and let birds</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָע֖וֹף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·‘ō·wp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5775.htm">Strong's 5775: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flying creatures</span><br /><br /><span class="word">multiply</span><br /><span class="heb">יִ֥רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(yi·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the earth.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּאָֽרֶץ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/1-22.htm">Genesis 1:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/1-22.htm">OT Law: Genesis 1:22 God blessed them saying Be fruitful (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/1-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 1:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 1:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/1-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 1:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 1:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>