What Did God Create on the Third Day?
The third day of creation marks a major turning point in the Genesis account. After establishing light (Day 1) and forming the sky/atmosphere (Day 2), God begins shaping the earth into a place capable of supporting life. The third day features two major acts of creation:
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The gathering of waters and appearance of dry land
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The creation of vegetation—plants, grasses, and fruit-bearing trees
These steps introduce structure, beauty, and the foundation of Earth’s ecosystems.
1. The Stage After the Second Day
At the end of Day 2, the earth was still completely covered in water. Although the sky had been formed, everything below was still a vast, watery world.
Before life could flourish, the earth needed:
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Land
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Seas
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Soil
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A stable surface
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A food-producing system
Day 3 accomplishes all of this.
2. God’s Command: Gathering the Waters, Revealing the Land
Genesis 1:9 describes the first part of the third day:
“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so.”
A. The Waters Are “Gathered”
The waters on the earth shift and collect to form:
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Seas
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Oceans
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Lakes
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Rivers
This gathering creates a clear boundary between water and land.
B. Dry Land Appears
For the first time, solid ground emerges:
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Mountains
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Plains
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Valleys
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Continents
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Islands
This action transforms the world from a watery planet into a structured environment with surfaces suitable for life.
3. Naming the Land and Seas
Genesis 1:10 tells us:
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Dry land is named “Earth.”
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Gathered waters are named “Seas.”
This naming emphasizes God’s authority and the order He establishes.
God Declares It Good
After forming land and oceans, the Bible says:
“And God saw that it was good.”
This is the first time on Day 3 that God expresses approval.
4. The Second Creative Act: Vegetation
The third day is unusual because two creations happen on the same day. After forming land and seas, God creates plant life.
Genesis 1:11 records:
“Let the earth bring forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit with seed in it, each according to its kind.”
Three Types of Vegetation Are Mentioned
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Grass (basic ground covering plants)
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Seed-bearing plants (all other plants and crops)
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Fruit trees (trees producing fruit with seeds inside)
This introduces the concept of “according to their kinds”, meaning every plant reproduces within its category—an early reference to biological order.
5. The Role of Vegetation in Creation
The plant life created on the third day serves several purposes:
A. Provides food
Plants and fruit trees will later serve as food for both animals and humans (Genesis 1:29–30).
B. Supports future ecosystems
Vegetation stabilizes the soil, creates habitats, and enables the cycle of life.
C. Prepares for Day 4
Plants require sunlight. Interestingly, God creates vegetation before the sun, moon, and stars appear on the fourth day. This shows the order is theological, not scientific, emphasizing God as the ultimate source of life.
D. Introduces natural cycles
Plants establish reproduction, growth, and seasonal cycles on earth.
6. God Saw That It Was Good
For the second time on this day, God declares His work good. Day 3 is the only day where this happens twice, highlighting its importance.
7. The Third Day Concludes
Genesis 1:13 closes the day:
“And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.”
With this, creation has moved from a simple water-covered planet to a world with:
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Land
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Seas
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Ecosystems
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Food sources
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The first signs of life (plants)
Summary: What Did God Create on the Third Day?
✔ Dry land (called Earth)
✔ Seas (waters gathered into one place)
✔ Vegetation of all kinds
✔ Seed-bearing plants
✔ Fruit trees
✔ Foundations for ecosystems and future life
✔ Two divine declarations of “good”
Conclusion
The third day of creation is foundational for life on earth. By separating land from water and filling the land with vegetation, God establishes the physical environment and biological systems necessary for animals and humans, who will appear in later days. This day emphasizes structure, order, sustainability, and the beginning of Earth’s natural processes.