Explanation
Story of Creation
Genesis 1
Genesis
chapter 1 describes the story of creation, where God creates the universe, the
earth, and all living beings in six days. The chapter begins with God creating
light and separating it from darkness on the first day, followed by the
creation of the sky on the second day. On the third day, God separates the land
from the water and creates vegetation. On the fourth day, God creates the sun,
moon, and stars to give light and to mark the seasons and days. On the fifth
day, God creates marine life and birds to populate the waters and skies. On the
sixth day, God creates all the animals and, finally, humans in His own image to
rule over and care for the earth. God blesses and commands humans to be
fruitful, increase in number, and fill the earth. The chapter concludes with
God seeing that everything He has created is very good. The story emphasizes
God's power as the creator of the universe and the special relationship between
God and humans, as well as the importance of stewardship and caring for the
natural world.
Chapter 1, verse 1-5
Genesis
1:1-5 is the opening passage of the Bible and provides a brief summary of the
creation story:
"In
the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless
and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was
hovering over the waters.
And
God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was
good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,'
and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was
morning—the first day."
This
passage describes the initial state of the world before God's creative work
began. It depicts the earth as formless, empty, and shrouded in darkness. But
the Spirit of God is present, hovering over the waters.
God
then speaks the first words of creation, commanding light to come into
existence. And immediately, light appears, and God separates it from the
darkness. God then names the light "day" and the darkness
"night." This marks the first day of creation.
The
passage sets the stage for the rest of the creation narrative, where God
continues to bring order to the formless world and fills it with life.
Chapter 1, verse 6-8
Genesis
1:6-8 continues the story of creation:
"And
God said, 'Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from
water.' So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the
water above it. And it was so. God called the vault 'sky.' And there was
evening, and there was morning—the second day."
In
this passage, God creates a "vault" or "firmament" to
separate the waters above from the waters below. The Hebrew word for
"vault" can also be translated as "expanse," and it is
generally understood as a reference to the sky or the atmosphere. So, God
creates the sky or the atmosphere, which separates the water on the earth from
the water in the clouds.
The
text emphasizes that God's command for the vault to be created was obeyed, and
it was exactly as He intended it to be. God then gives this newly-created
expanse a name, calling it the "sky."
This
passage continues to describe the order and structure God is bringing to the
previously formless world. The separation of the waters above and below is an
important step in this process, as it provides a clear distinction between the
two and establishes the necessary conditions for life to thrive.
Chapter 1, verse 9-13
Genesis
1:9-13 continues the creation narrative:
"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.
Then
God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on
the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.'
And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to
their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.
And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the
third day."
In
this passage, God commands the waters to be gathered together in one place, and
for dry ground to appear. This creates the separation of water and land,
allowing for the growth of plants and trees on the newly-formed dry land.
God
gives names to the newly-formed land and seas, calling the dry ground
"land" and the gathered waters "seas." The text emphasizes
that God saw that it was good, indicating His approval of this part of the
creation.
God
then commands the land to produce vegetation, and the text describes the
appearance of plants and trees bearing fruit and seed. Again, God sees that
this is good.
This
passage emphasizes the creative power of God and the order and beauty that He
brings to the world. The separation of land and sea and the emergence of plant
life mark significant milestones in the creation story, as they provide the
necessary conditions for the flourishing of animal life.
Genesis, Chapter 1, verse 14-19
Genesis
1:14-19 continues the story of creation:
"And
God said, 'Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from
the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and
years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the
earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern
the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set
them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and
the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day."
In
this passage, God creates the sun, moon, and stars, which serve as sources of
light and provide a way to measure time. The text emphasizes that these lights
were created to separate day and night, and to mark the passage of time,
including the seasons, sacred times, and years.
God
creates two great lights, the sun to govern the day and the moon to govern the
night, as well as the stars. The text emphasizes that God placed these lights
in the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to
separate light from darkness.
Again,
God sees that this part of creation is good, indicating His approval of the
order and beauty of the world.
This
passage highlights the importance of light and time, and emphasizes the
significance of the celestial bodies in guiding and organizing the rhythms of
life on earth.
Genesis, Chapter 1, verse 20-23
Genesis
1:20-23 continues the story of creation:
"And
God said, 'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above
the earth across the vault of the sky.' So God created the great creatures of
the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about
in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.
And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and
increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase
on the earth.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth
day."
In
this passage, God commands the waters to teem with living creatures and for
birds to fly above the earth. This creates the diversity of marine life and
avian species that populate the earth today.
God
creates the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves in the water,
according to their kinds, and also creates every winged bird, again according
to its kind. The text emphasizes that God saw that it was good, indicating His
approval of the diversity and abundance of life in the seas and skies.
God
blesses these newly created creatures and commands them to be fruitful,
increase in number, and fill the seas and the earth. This command emphasizes
the importance of reproduction and the continuation of life on earth.
This
passage highlights the importance of life in the waters and skies, and the
diversity of species that inhabit the earth. It emphasizes the idea of
stewardship, or the responsibility to care for and preserve the natural world
that God has created.
Genesis, Chapter 1, verse 24-31
Genesis
1:24-31 continues the story of creation:
"And
God said, 'Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the
livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each
according to its kind.' And it was so. God made the wild animals according to
their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that
move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Then
God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may
rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and
all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'
So,
God created mankind in his own image,
in
the image of God, he created them;
male
and female he created them.
God
blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the
earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and
over every living creature that moves on the ground.'
Then
God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth
and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And
to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the
creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in
it—I give every green plant for food.' And it was so.
God
saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and
there was morning—the sixth day."
In
this passage, God commands the land to produce living creatures, including
livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each
according to their kind. God creates these animals and sees that it is good.
God
then decides to create mankind in his own image and likeness, giving humans the
responsibility to rule over and care for the rest of creation. This passage
emphasizes the special relationship between humans and God, and the idea of
humans being created with a divine purpose.
God
blesses humans and commands them to be fruitful, increase in number, and fill
the earth. God gives humans dominion over the fish, birds, and animals,
emphasizing the responsibility to care for and manage the earth.
God
provides humans with every seed-bearing plant and fruit-bearing tree for food,
and commands all living creatures to eat the green plants. This passage
emphasizes the idea of God's provision for all living beings and the importance
of humans being good stewards of the earth.
The
passage concludes with God seeing that everything He has created is very good,
indicating His pleasure and satisfaction with the world He has brought into
existence.
