1Am AnfangH7225 schufH1254 GOttH430 HimmelH8064 undH853 ErdeH776. 2UndH6440 die ErdeH776 warH1961 wüstH8414 und leerH922, und FinsternisH2822 war überH5921 der TiefeH6440; und der GeistH7307 GottesH430 schwebteH7363 über den WassernH4325. 3Und GottH430 sprachH559 : Es werdeH1961 LichtH216! und es ward LichtH216. 4UndH853 GottH430 sahH7200 das LichtH216, daßH3588 es gutH2896 war; und GottH430 schiedH914 das LichtH216 vonH996 der FinsternisH2822. 5Und GottH430 nannteH7121 das LichtH216 TagH3117, und die FinsternisH2822 nannteH7121 er NachtH3915. Und es ward AbendH6153 und es ward MorgenH1242 : erster TagH3117. 6UndH8432 GottH430 sprachH559 : Es werde eine Ausdehnung inmitten der WasserH4325, und sie scheide die WasserH4325 von den WassernH4325! 7UndH5921 GottH430 machteH6213 die Ausdehnung und schiedH914 die WasserH4325, welcheH834 unterhalb der Ausdehnung, von denH834 WassernH4325, die oberhalb der Ausdehnung sind. Und es ward alsoH3651. 8Und GottH430 nannteH7121 die Ausdehnung HimmelH7549. Und es ward AbendH6153 und es ward MorgenH1242 : zweiter TagH3117. 9Und GottH430 sprachH559 : Es sammeln sichH7200 die WasserH4325 unterhalb des HimmelsH8064 anH413 einenH259 OrtH4725, und es werde sichtbar das TrockeneH3004! Und es ward also. 10Und GottH430 nannteH7121 das TrockeneH3004 ErdeH776, und die SammlungH4723 der WasserH4325 nannteH7121 er MeereH3220. Und GottH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 11UndH6086 GottH430 sprachH559 : Die ErdeH776 lasse GrasH1877 hervorsprossen, KrautH6212, das SamenH2233 hervorbringe, Fruchtbäume, die FruchtH6529 tragen nach ihrer ArtH4327, in welcher ihr SameH2233 sei auf der ErdeH776! UndH6213 es ward also. 12UndH6213 die ErdeH776 brachte GrasH1877 hervorH3318, KrautH6212, das SamenH2233 hervorbringt nach seiner ArtH4327, und BäumeH6086, die FruchtH6529 tragen, in welcher ihr SameH2233 ist nach ihrer ArtH4327. Und GottH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 13Und es ward AbendH6153 und es ward MorgenH1242 : dritter TagH3117. 14UndH8141 GottH430 sprachH559 : Es werden LichterH3974 an der Ausdehnung des HimmelsH8064, um den TagH3117 von der NachtH3915 zu scheidenH914, und sie seien zu ZeichenH226 und zur Bestimmung von ZeitenH4150 und TagenH3117 und Jahren; 15und sie seien zu Lichtern an der Ausdehnung des HimmelsH8064, um auf die ErdeH776 zu leuchtenH215! Und es ward also. 16Und GottH430 machteH6213 die zweiH8147 großenH1419 LichterH3974 : das großeH1419 LichtH3974 zur Beherrschung des TagesH3117, und das kleineH6996 LichtH3974 zur Beherrschung der NachtH3915, und die SterneH3556. 17Und GottH430 setzteH5414 sie an die Ausdehnung des HimmelsH8064, um auf die ErdeH776 zu leuchtenH215, 18und um zu herrschenH4910 am TageH3117 und in der NachtH3915 und das LichtH216 von der FinsternisH2822 zu scheidenH914. Und GottH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 19Und es ward AbendH6153 und es ward MorgenH1242 : vierter TagH3117. 20UndH6440 GottH430 sprachH559 : Es wimmelnH8317 die WasserH4325 vom Gewimmel lebendiger Wesen, und GevögelH5775 fliegeH5774 überH5921 der ErdeH776 angesichts der Ausdehnung des HimmelsH8064! 21UndH3671 GottH430 schufH1254 die großenH1419 Seeungeheuer und jedes sich regende, lebendigeH2416 Wesen, wovon die WasserH4325 wimmelnH8317, nach ihrer ArtH4327, und alles geflügelte GevögelH5775 nach seiner ArtH4327. Und GottH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 22Und GottH430 segneteH1288 sie und sprachH559 : Seid fruchtbarH6509 und mehretH7235 euch und füllet die WasserH4325 in den Meeren, und das GevögelH5775 mehreH7235 sich auf derH4390 ErdeH776! 23Und es ward AbendH6153 und es ward MorgenH1242 : fünfter TagH3117. 24Und GottH430 sprachH559 : Die ErdeH776 bringeH3318 hervor lebendigeH2416 Wesen nach ihrer ArtH4327 : ViehH929 und GewürmH7431 und GetierH5315 der ErdeH776 nach seiner ArtH4327! Und es ward also. 25Und GottH430 machteH6213 das GetierH2416 der ErdeH776 nach seiner ArtH4327, und das ViehH929 nach seiner ArtH4327, und alles, was sich auf dem ErdbodenH127 regtH7431, nach seiner ArtH4327. Und GottH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 26Und GottH430 sprachH559 : Lasset uns MenschenH120 machenH6213 in unserem BildeH6754, nach unserem GleichnisH1823; und sie sollen herrschenH7287 über die FischeH1710 des MeeresH3220 und über das GevögelH5775 des HimmelsH8064 und über das ViehH929 und über die ganze ErdeH776 und über alles GewürmH7431, das sich auf der ErdeH776 regtH7430! 27Und GottH430 schufH1254 den MenschenH120 in seinem BildeH6754, im BildeH6754 GottesH430 schufH1254 er ihn; MannH2145 und WeibH5347 schufH1254 er sie. 28Und GottH430 segneteH1288 sieH3533, und GottH430 sprachH559 zu ihnen: Seid fruchtbarH6509 und mehretH7235 euch und füllet die ErdeH776 und machet sie euch untertan; und herrschet über die FischeH1710 des MeeresH3220 und über das GevögelH5775 des HimmelsH8064 und über alles GetierH2416, das sich auf derH4390 ErdeH776 regtH7430! 29UndH6086 GottH430 sprachH559 : SieheH2009, ich habe euch gegebenH5414 alles samenbringende KrautH6212, das aufH6440 der Fläche der ganzen ErdeH776 ist, und jeden BaumH6086, an welchem samenbringende Baumfrucht ist: es soll euch zur SpeiseH402 seinH1961; 30und allem Getier der ErdeH776 und allem GevögelH5775 des HimmelsH8064 und allem, was sich auf der ErdeH776 regtH7430, in welchem eine lebendigeH2416 SeeleH5315 ist, habe ich alles grüneH3418 KrautH6212 zur SpeiseH402 gegeben. 31Und es ward also. Und GottH430 sahH7200 alles, wasH834 er gemacht hatteH6213, und siehe, es war sehrH3966 gutH2896. Und es ward AbendH6153 und es ward MorgenH1242 : der sechsteH8345 TagH3117.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 THE CREATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. (
Gen 1:1-
Gen 1:2)
In the beginning--a period of remote and unknown antiquity, hid in the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used in
Pro 8:22-
Pro 8:23.
God--the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in Hebrew, "Strong," "Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power; and by its use here in the plural form, is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, namely, that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead--Father, Son, and Spirit, who were engaged in the creative work (
Pro 8:27;
John 1:3,
John 1:10;
Eph 3:9;
Heb 1:2;
Job 26:13).
created--not formed from any pre-existing materials, but made out of nothing.
the heaven and the earth--the universe. This first verse is a general introduction to the inspired volume, declaring the great and important truth that all things had a beginning; that nothing throughout the wide extent of nature existed from eternity, originated by chance, or from the skill of any inferior agent; but that the whole universe was produced by the creative power of God (
Acts 17:24;
Rom 11:36). After this preface, the narrative is confined to the earth.
2 the earth was without form and void--or in "confusion and emptiness," as the words are rendered in
Isa 34:11. This globe, at some undescribed period, having been convulsed and broken up, was a dark and watery waste for ages perhaps, till out of this chaotic state, the present fabric of the world was made to arise.
the Spirit of God moved--literally, continued brooding over it, as a fowl does, when hatching eggs. The immediate agency of the Spirit, by working on the dead and discordant elements, combined, arranged, and ripened them into a state adapted for being the scene of a new creation. The account of this new creation properly begins at the end of this second verse; and the details of the process are described in the natural way an onlooker would have done, who beheld the changes that successively took place.
3 THE FIRST DAY. (
Gen 1:3-
Gen 1:5)
God said--This phrase, which occurs so repeatedly in the account means: willed, decreed, appointed; and the determining will of God was followed in every instance by an immediate result. Whether the sun was created at the same time with, or long before, the earth, the dense accumulation of fogs and vapors which enveloped the chaos had covered the globe with a settled gloom. But by the command of God, light was rendered visible; the thick murky clouds were dispersed, broken, or rarefied, and light diffused over the expanse of waters. The effect is described in the name "day," which in Hebrew signifies "warmth," "heat"; while the name "night" signifies a "rolling up," as night wraps all things in a shady mantle.
4 divided the light from darkness--refers to the alternation or succession of the one to the other, produced by the daily revolution of the earth round its axis.
5 first day--a natural day, as the mention of its two parts clearly determines; and Moses reckons, according to Oriental usage, from sunset to sunset, saying not day and night as we do, but evening and morning.
6 SECOND DAY. (
Gen 1:6-
Gen 1:8)
firmament--an expanse--a beating out as a plate of metal: a name given to the atmosphere from its appearing to an observer to be the vault of heaven, supporting the weight of the watery clouds. By the creation of an atmosphere, the lighter parts of the waters which overspread the earth's surface were drawn up and suspended in the visible heavens, while the larger and heavier mass remained below. The air was thus "in the midst of the waters," that is, separated them; and this being the apparent use of it, is the only one mentioned, although the atmosphere serves other uses, as a medium of life and light.
9 THIRD DAY. (
Gen 1:9-
Gen 1:13)
let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place--The world was to be rendered a terraqueous globe, and this was effected by a volcanic convulsion on its surface, the upheaving of some parts, the sinking of others, and the formation of vast hollows, into which the waters impetuously rushed, as is graphically described (
Ps 104:6-
Ps 104:9) [HITCHCOCK]. Thus a large part of the earth was left "dry land," and thus were formed oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers which, though each having its own bed, or channel, are all connected with the sea (
Job 38:10;
Eccl 1:7).
11 let the earth bring forth--The bare soil was clothed with verdure, and it is noticeable that the trees, plants, and grasses--the three great divisions of the vegetable kingdom here mentioned--were not called into existence in the same way as the light and the air; they were made to grow, and they grew as they do still out of the ground--not, however, by the slow process of vegetation, but through the divine power, without rain, dew, or any process of labor--sprouting up and flourishing in a single day.
14 FOURTH DAY. (
Gen 1:14-
Gen 1:19)
let there be lights in the firmament--The atmosphere being completely purified, the sun, moon, and stars were for the first time unveiled in all their glory in the cloudless sky; and they are described as "in the firmament" which to the eye they appear to be, though we know they are really at vast distances from it.
16 two great lights--In consequence of the day being reckoned as commencing at sunset--the moon, which would be seen first in the horizon, would appear "a great light," compared with the little twinkling stars; while its pale benign radiance would be eclipsed by the dazzling splendor of the sun; when his resplendent orb rose in the morning and gradually attained its meridian blaze of glory, it would appear "the greater light" that ruled the day. Both these lights may be said to be "made" on the fourth day--not created, indeed, for it is a different word that is here used, but constituted, appointed to the important and necessary office of serving as luminaries to the world, and regulating by their motions and their influence the progress and divisions of time.
20 FIFTH DAY. The signs of animal life appeared in the waters and in the air. (
Gen 1:20-
Gen 1:23)
moving creature--all oviparous animals, both among the finny and the feathery tribes--remarkable for their rapid and prodigious increase.
fowl--means every flying thing: The word rendered "whales," includes also sharks, crocodiles, &c.; so that from the countless shoals of small fish to the great sea monsters, from the tiny insect to the king of birds, the waters and the air were suddenly made to swarm with creatures formed to live and sport in their respective elements.
24 SIXTH DAY. A farther advance was made by the creation of terrestrial animals, all the various species of which are included in three classes: (1) cattle, the herbivorous kind capable of labor or domestication. (
Gen 1:24-
Gen 1:31)
beasts of the earth--(2) wild animals, whose ravenous natures were then kept in check, and (3) all the various forms of
creeping things--from the huge reptiles to the insignificant caterpillars.
26 The last stage in the progress of creation being now reached--God said, Let us make man--words which show the peculiar importance of the work to be done, the formation of a creature, who was to be God's representative, clothed with authority and rule as visible head and monarch of the world.
In our image, after our likeness--This was a peculiar distinction, the value attached to which appears in the words being twice mentioned. And in what did this image of God consist? Not in the erect form or features of man, not in his intellect, for the devil and his angels are, in this respect, far superior; not in his immortality, for he has not, like God, a past as well as a future eternity of being; but in the moral dispositions of his soul, commonly called original righteousness (
Eccl 7:29). As the new creation is only a restoration of this image, the history of the one throws light on the other; and we are informed that it is renewed after the image of God in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness (
Col 3:10;
Eph 4:24).
28 Be fruitful, &c.--The human race in every country and age has been the offspring of the first pair. Amid all the varieties found among men, some black, some copper-colored, others white, the researches of modern science lead to a conclusion, fully accordant with the sacred history, that they are all of one species and of one family (
Acts 17:26). What power in the word of God! "He spake and it was done. He commanded and all things stood fast" [
Ps 33:9]. "Great and manifold are thy works, Lord God Almighty! in wisdom hast thou made them all" [
Ps 104:24]. We admire that wisdom, not only in the regular progress of creation, but in its perfect adaptation to the end. God is represented as pausing at every stage to look at His work. No wonder He contemplated it with complacency. Every object was in its right place, every vegetable process going on in season, every animal in its structure and instincts suited to its mode of life and its use in the economy of the world. He saw everything that He had made answering the plan which His eternal wisdom had conceived; and, "Behold it was very good" [
Gen 1:31].
