Genesis 1:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 1:31

We have here the approbation and conclusion of the whole work of creation. As for God, his work is perfect; and if he begin he will also make an end, in providence and grace, as well as here in creation. Observe, I. The review God took of his work: He saw every thing that he had made. So he does still; all the works of his hands are under his eye. He that made all sees all; he that made us sees us, Ps. 139:1-16. Omniscience cannot be separated from omnipotence. Known unto God are all his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 1:31

And God saw everything that he had made ,.... Either all that he had made on the several six days of the creation, he took a survey of them, looked over them again, as workmen do when they have finished their work, to see if anything is amiss or wanting; not that anything of this nature can be supposed in the works of God, but such a survey is attributed to him after the manner of men, to show the completeness of his works, and the excellency of them. Picherellus F17 In Cosmopoeiam, p.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:31

And, behold, it was very good - מאד טוב tob meod , Superlatively, or only good; as good as they could be. The plan wise, the work well executed, the different parts properly arranged; their nature, limits, mode of existence, manner of propagation, habits, mode of sustenance, etc., etc., properly and permanently established and secured; for every thing was formed to the utmost perfection of its nature, so that nothing could be added or diminished without encumbering the operations of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 1:31

Verse 31 31.And God saw everything Once more, at the conclusion of the creation, Moses declares that God approved of everything which he had made. In speaking of God as seeing, he does it after the manner of men; for the Lord designed this his judgment to be as a rule and example to us; that no one should dare to think or speak otherwise of his works. For it is not lawful for us to dispute whether that ought to be approved or not which God has already approved; but it rather becomes us to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:24-31

The sixth day. We pass from the sea and air to the earth. We are being led to man. Notice— I. THE PREPARATION IS COMPLETE . Before the earth receives the human being, it brings forth all the other creatures, and God sees that they are good—good in his sight, good for man. II. THE PURPOSE OF THE WORK IS BENEVOLENT . Cattle, creeping thing, beast of the earth. So man would see them distinguished—the wild from the domestic, the creeping from the roaming, the clean from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:31

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Literally, lo! good very! Not simply good, but good exceedingly. It is not man alone that God surveys, but the completed cosmos, with man as its crown and glory, decu, set tutamen . "It is not merely a benediction which he utters, but an expression of admiration, as we may say without any fear of the anthropomorphism— Euge, bone proclare! " ( T . Lewis). And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 1:31

Perfection. The first chapter closes with a review of the whole work of the six days. God saw it. Behold, it was very good! I. The SATISFACTION was in the completion of the earthly order in man, the highest earthly being. For God's good is not, like man's good " a compromise, too often, between the really good and the really evil, but the attainment of the highest— the fulfillment of his Divine idea, the top-stone placed upon the temple with shoutings: "Grace, grace unto it."... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 1:24-31

- VIII. The Sixth Day24. בהמה behēmâh, “cattle; dumb, tame beasts.”רמשׂ remeś, “creeping (small or low) animals.”חוּה chayâh, “living thing; animal.”חוּת־חארץ chayatô-chā'ārets, “wild beast.”26. אדם 'ādām, “man, mankind;” “be red.” A collective noun, having no plural number, and therefore denoting either an individual of the kind, or the kind or race itself. It is connected in etymology with אדמה 'ădāmâh, “the red soil,” from which the human body was formed Genesis 2:7. It therefore... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 1:31

Genesis 1:31. Behold, it was very good It had been said of each day’s work, except the second, that it was good, but now, of every thing, that it was very good. For man, the master-piece of God’s works, and his visible image and deputy here on earth, was now formed and constituted the head and governor of the whole. And all these wonderful works being connected together and dependant one on another, till the last link of the chain was made and added to the rest, some defect and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 1:1-31

THE STORY OF CREATIONThe Bible and scienceModern science has revealed so much about the wonders and the size of the physical universe that human beings may seem almost to be nothing. The Bible takes a different view. Human beings are its main concern, for they alone are made in God’s image. The story of creation is but an introduction to the story of God’s dealings with the human race. The Bible demonstrates this order of importance from the outset by fitting the story of creation into a mere... read more

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