ESV Reformation Study Bible – Gen 1:21
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Gen 1:21

1:21 created. See v. 1.

great sea creatures. In Old Testament poetry these are the dreaded sea-dragons associated with ancient mythology, thought by pagans to rival the creating gods (Ps. 74:13; Is. 27:1; 51:9; Jer. 51:34). By adapting and modifying this pagan imagery, the Hebrew writers subverted the pagan theology—the goodness of creation and the subservience of the aquatic animals is stressed.