30 Best Bible Verses About Ocean (With Explanation)

The ocean in the Bible often symbolizes both the power and majesty of God, as well as the depths of mystery, creation, and God’s unfathomable nature. From the creation story to Jesus calming the stormy sea, the ocean serves as a powerful metaphor for God’s sovereignty, control, and the expansive reach of His love. The vastness and depth of the ocean can be a reminder of God’s greatness and His ability to calm even the most turbulent of situations. Below are 30 Bible verses about the ocean, with commentary on each verse’s significance.

1. Genesis 1:9-10

“And God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry ground ‘land,’ and the gathered waters he called ‘seas.’ And God saw that it was good.”

This verse speaks of the creation of the oceans and seas. It reminds us that the ocean, in all its grandeur, was designed by God. The oceans, vast and powerful, are a reflection of God’s creativity and mastery over the natural world. His declaration that it was “good” shows the beauty and purpose of His creation.

2. Psalm 95:5

“The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.”

This verse points to God’s ownership of the ocean as its Creator. It reminds us that God’s hands shaped both the seas and the land, and everything within them. The ocean’s vastness is a testament to God’s power and ability to create and sustain life, demonstrating His authority over all creation.

3. Isaiah 51:15

“For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the Lord Almighty is his name.”

In this verse, God is portrayed as the one who controls the mighty ocean waves. The roaring sea symbolizes God’s power and strength, reminding us that He commands even the most untamable forces of nature. It reflects His omnipotence and control over the natural elements.

4. Psalm 104:25-26

“There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.”

Here, the ocean is described as a place full of life and mystery, where God’s creatures live and thrive. The mention of Leviathan, a great sea creature, highlights the wonder and complexity of God’s creation in the deep. The ocean reflects the richness of life that God has filled the earth with.

5. Matthew 8:27

“The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'”

This verse refers to Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, showcasing His divine authority over nature. The ocean, often seen as uncontrollable, submits to Christ’s command. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how chaotic life may seem, Jesus has the power to bring peace and calm to any situation.

6. Psalm 107:29

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”

This verse describes God’s ability to calm the sea, symbolizing His ability to bring peace and stillness in times of turmoil. The ocean’s roaring waves are compared to life’s storms, and God’s intervention brings quiet and peace, showing His protective and soothing presence.

7. Job 38:8-11

“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?”

In this passage, God speaks of His control over the sea, setting boundaries for its waves. This image of God as the one who sets limits for the oceans reminds us of His sovereignty over creation. The sea’s power is vast, but even it must obey God’s commands, reflecting His authority over the natural world.

8. Micah 7:19

“You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

This verse uses the ocean as a metaphor for the depths of God’s forgiveness. By casting our sins into the depths of the sea, God demonstrates the extent of His mercy. The ocean, with its unfathomable depths, becomes a symbol of how completely God forgives and removes our sins from us.

9. Jeremiah 5:22

“‘Should you not fear me?’ declares the Lord. ‘Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.'”

This verse highlights God’s control over the ocean’s boundaries. The fact that the sea obeys the limits God has set reminds us of His supreme power. It emphasizes that we should approach God with reverence, knowing that He governs even the most powerful forces of nature.

10. Revelation 21:1

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.”

In this prophetic vision of the new creation, the absence of the sea symbolizes a new order where chaos and separation, often associated with the ocean in ancient cultures, no longer exist. It suggests the ultimate peace and harmony that will come with God’s final victory.

11. Exodus 14:21

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided.”

This verse recounts the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, demonstrating God’s control over the oceans and His ability to make a way where none exists. The sea, which seemed like an insurmountable barrier, was divided by God’s power to deliver His people, showing His sovereignty and faithfulness.

12. Jonah 1:15

“Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.”

This verse shows God’s control over the sea in the story of Jonah. When Jonah was cast into the ocean, the sea’s fury subsided. This account reminds us that God can calm the most turbulent situations, and it teaches us the importance of obedience to God’s will.

13. Psalm 93:4

“Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.”

The ocean’s crashing waves symbolize great power, but this verse reminds us that God is mightier still. It encourages believers to trust in God’s power over the strongest forces in nature, knowing that His strength surpasses all things, including the vast and mighty sea.

14. Habakkuk 2:14

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

This verse uses the ocean as a metaphor for the overwhelming presence of God’s glory. Just as the waters cover the vast expanses of the sea, so too will the knowledge of God’s glory fill the earth. It speaks to the boundless nature of God’s reign and His presence in the world.

15. Psalm 69:34

“Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them.”

The ocean and all the creatures within it are called to praise God. This verse reflects the idea that all of creation, from the heavens to the depths of the sea, testifies to God’s greatness. The ocean, with its incredible diversity of life, becomes a symbol of creation’s worship of its Creator.

16. Nahum 1:4

“He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry.”

Nahum speaks of God’s power to control even the seas and rivers. This verse underscores God’s authority over the natural world, including the oceans. It reminds us that God is in control of all aspects of creation, capable of altering even the most powerful natural elements.

17. Mark 4:39

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

Jesus’ command over the wind and waves shows His divine power and authority over creation. The calming of the storm is a profound demonstration of how even the ocean, with all its might, must obey Jesus. This event symbolizes Jesus’ ability to bring peace in the midst of chaos.

18. Psalm 33:7

“He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.”

This verse speaks of God’s ability to contain the oceans, emphasizing His control over the natural world. The imagery of gathering the waters of the sea into jars highlights the majesty and sovereignty of God, who can control the vastness of the oceans with ease.

19. Ezekiel 47:8

“He said to me, ‘This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh.'”

This verse speaks of a vision where life-giving waters flow into the Dead Sea, transforming it. It symbolizes God’s ability to bring restoration and healing, even to places that seem lifeless, like the sea. The imagery of water restoring life reminds us of God’s renewing power.

20. Proverbs 8:29

“When he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.”

This verse highlights God’s wisdom in setting the boundaries of the sea. The ocean, which could overwhelm the land, is held in place by God’s command. It speaks to the order and precision of God’s creation, reinforcing the idea that everything in nature operates under His control.

21. Isaiah 11:9

“They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

This verse uses the ocean as a metaphor for the abundance of God’s knowledge and presence in the world. Just as the waters completely cover the sea, so will the earth be filled with God’s truth. It envisions a future of peace and divine knowledge spreading across the world.

22. Jonah 2:3

“You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.”

Jonah’s prayer reflects his experience of being cast into the ocean and overwhelmed by its powerful currents. The sea in this context symbolizes not only physical danger but also the overwhelming nature of Jonah’s situation. It reminds us that even in the depths of despair, God is present.

23. Revelation 10:2

“He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.”

In Revelation, the imagery of an angel standing with one foot on the sea and one on the land signifies authority over all creation. This powerful image shows that God’s dominion extends over both the earth and the seas, emphasizing His sovereignty over the entire universe.

24. Psalm 77:19

“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”

This verse reflects on the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea, acknowledging God’s unseen yet powerful guidance. It reminds us that even when we do not visibly see God’s presence, He is leading us through the turbulent waters of life, providing a path of deliverance.

25. Isaiah 43:16

“This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters.”

Isaiah recalls God’s miraculous parting of the Red Sea, using the imagery of the ocean to demonstrate His power to create a path where none seemed possible. This verse reminds us that God can make a way through even the most impossible circumstances, just as He did for Israel.

26. Psalm 89:9

“You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.”

This verse praises God’s authority over the surging ocean. The sea, often seen as a symbol of chaos, is subject to God’s command. It reassures us that no matter how tumultuous life’s storms may seem, God has the power to calm them and bring peace.

27. Ezekiel 26:19

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths over you and its vast waters cover you.”

This verse uses the ocean as a symbol of judgment, illustrating the overwhelming force of God’s decrees. The depths of the sea can represent destruction and consequences for disobedience. It is a reminder that God’s power can both create and bring judgment upon those who oppose Him.

28. Exodus 15:4-5

“Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.”

This verse recounts the destruction of Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea, emphasizing God’s protection over His people. The sea becomes a tool of judgment against the enemies of Israel, reminding us that God’s power can save His people while simultaneously bringing justice.

29. Psalm 93:3-4

“The seas have lifted up, Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.”

This verse contrasts the powerful roar of the ocean with the even greater might of God. No matter how strong the waves or how loud the sea roars, God is mightier. This passage encourages believers to trust in God’s strength, knowing that He is far greater than any force of nature.

30. Proverbs 30:4

“Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!”

This verse asks rhetorical questions to highlight the incomprehensible power of God, who alone controls the wind, the sea, and the entire earth. The mention of “wrapping up the waters” illustrates God’s control over the oceans, reinforcing His sovereignty over creation and His ultimate authority over all things.

These verses about the ocean remind us of God’s power, authority, and the depth of His care for creation. The ocean, in all its majesty, is a reflection of God’s greatness, His ability to calm the storms of life, and His unfathomable grace and mercy. Whether as a symbol of chaos, judgment, or beauty, the ocean is a vivid representation of God’s power and presence throughout Scripture.