Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:10

What does Genesis 1:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:10 means

God named the dry land "Earth" and the gathered waters "Seas," again demonstrating His sovereignty and establishing distinct identities for these major geographical features. He then assessed this work and declared it "good." This divine approval signifies that the completed separation of land and sea perfectly fulfilled His design, creating a well-ordered and functional world suitable for sustaining diverse forms of life. The naming and affirmation highlight God's deliberate and purposeful creation, ensuring everything is categorized and deemed perfect for its intended purpose.

Genesis 1:10 in context

Genesis 1 — The Six Days of Creation

The Bible opens not with an argument for the existence of God but with the announcement of his creative act. In six measured days God speaks the cosmos into being — light, sky, sea, land, plants, sun and moon, fish and birds, animals, and finally man and woman in his own image. Each act ends with the refrain, 'and God saw that it was good.' The chapter establishes God's sovereignty, the goodness of the material world, the dignity of humanity, and the rhythm of work and rest that will shape all of Scripture.

  • Creation ex nihilo
  • The image of God
  • The goodness of creation
  • Sabbath rhythm

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God gave the dry land the name of Earth; and the waters together in their place were named Seas: and God saw that it was good.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God calleth to the dry land `Earth,' and to the collection of the waters He hath called `Seas;' and God seeth that <FI>it is<Fi> good.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God called the dry land, Earth; and the gathering together of the waters, he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod called the dry [land] Earth, and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas. AndGod saw that it was good.

Context

Following the emergence of dry land and the gathering of waters in verse 9, this verse details God's naming of these new features as "Earth" and "Seas." This act of naming confirms their established identity within creation. Notably, God declares this work "good," reinforcing the perfection of His design. This successful establishment of distinct land and water environments immediately precedes the next creative command for the earth to produce vegetation.

v.9And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

v.10This passage

v.11And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Deuteronomy 32:4

    The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:10

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Genesis 1:10 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:10 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:10 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:10 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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