1Am AnfangH7225 schufH1254 GOttH430 HimmelH8064 undH853 ErdeH776. 2Und die ErdeH776 warH1961 wüstH8414 und leerH922, und es war finsterH2822 aufH6440 der TiefeH8415; und der GeistH7307 GottesH430 schwebete aufH5921 dem WasserH4325. 3Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Es werdeH1961 LichtH216! Und es ward LichtH216. 4UndH853 GOttH430 sahH7200, daßH3588 das LichtH216 gutH2896 war. Da schiedH914 GOttH430 das LichtH216 vonH996 der FinsternisH2822 5undH430 nannteH7121 das LichtH216 TagH3117 und die FinsternisH2822 NachtH3915. Da wardH7121 aus AbendH6153 und MorgenH1242 der ersteH259 TagH3117. 6Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Es werde eine FesteH7549 zwischenH8432 den WassernH4325, und dieH4325 seiH914 ein Unterschied zwischen den WassernH4325. 7DaH834 machteH6213 GOttH430 die FesteH7549 und schiedH914 das WasserH4325 unterH834 der FesteH7549 von dem WasserH4325 überH5921 der FesteH7549. Und es geschah alsoH3651. 8Und GOttH430 nannteH7121 die FesteH7549 HimmelH8064. Da ward aus AbendH6153 und MorgenH1242 der andereH8145 TagH3117. 9Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Es sammleH6960 sich das WasserH4325 unter demH259 HimmelH8064 anH413 sondere ÖrterH4725, daß man das TrockeneH3004 seheH7200. Und es geschah also. 10Und GOttH430 nannteH7121 das TrockeneH3004 ErdeH776, und die SammlungH4723 der WasserH4325 nannteH7121 er MeerH3220. Und GOttH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 11Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Es lasse die ErdeH776 aufgehenH1876 GrasH1877 und KrautH6212, das sich besameH2233, und fruchtbareH6529 BäumeH6086, da ein jeglicher nach seiner ArtH4327 FruchtH6529 trageH6213 und habe seinen eigenenH834 SamenH2233 bei ihm selbst auf ErdenH776. Und es geschah also. 12Und die ErdeH776 ließ aufgehenH3318 GrasH1877 und KrautH6212, das sich besamteH2233, ein jegliches nach seiner ArtH4327, und BäumeH6086, die da FruchtH6529 trugenH6213 und ihren eigenen SamenH2233 bei sich selbst hatten, ein jeglicher nach seiner ArtH4327. Und GOttH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 13Da ward aus AbendH6153 und MorgenH1242 der dritteH7992 TagH3117. 14Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Es werden LichterH3974 an der FesteH7549 des HimmelsH8064, die da scheidenH914 TagH3117 und NachtH3915 und geben ZeichenH226, ZeitenH4150, TageH3117 und JahreH8141; 15und seien LichterH3974 an der FesteH7549 des HimmelsH8064, daß sie scheinenH215 auf ErdenH776. Und es geschah also. 16Und GOttH430 machteH6213 zweiH8147 großeH1419 LichterH3974: ein großH1419 LichtH3974, das den TagH3117 regiereH4475, und ein kleinH6996 LichtH3974, das die NachtH3915 regiereH4475, dazu auch SterneH3556. 17Und GOttH430 setzteH5414 sie an die FesteH7549 des HimmelsH8064, daß sie schienenH215 auf die ErdeH776 18und den TagH3117 und die NachtH3915 regiertenH4910 und schiedenH914 LichtH216 und FinsternisH2822. Und GOttH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 19Da ward aus AbendH6153 und MorgenH1242 der vierteH7243 TagH3117. 20Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Es erregeH8317 sich das WasserH4325 mit webendenH8318 und lebendigenH2416 TierenH5315 und mit GevögelH5775, das aufH5921 ErdenH776 unterH6440 der FesteH7549 des HimmelsH8064 fliegeH5774. 21Und GOttH430 schufH1254 großeH1419 WalfischeH8577 und allerlei TierH2416, das da lebet und webet und vom WasserH4325 erreget ward, ein jegliches nach seiner ArtH4327; und allerlei gefiedertesH3671 GevögelH5775, ein jegliches nach seiner ArtH4327. Und GOttH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 22UndH4390 GOttH430 segneteH1288 sie und sprachH559: Seid fruchtbarH6509 und mehretH7235 euch und erfüllet das WasserH4325 im MeerH3220; und das GevögelH5775 mehreH7235 sich auf ErdenH776. 23Da ward aus AbendH6153 und MorgenH1242 der fünfteH2549 TagH3117. 24Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Die ErdeH776 bringeH3318 hervor lebendigeH2416 TiereH5315, ein jegliches nach seiner ArtH4327: ViehH929, GewürmH7431 und TierH2416 auf ErdenH776, ein jegliches nach seiner ArtH4327. Und es geschah also. 25Und GOttH430 machteH6213 die TiereH2416 auf ErdenH776, ein jegliches nach seiner ArtH4327, und das ViehH929 nach seiner ArtH4327 und allerlei GewürmH7431 auf ErdenH127 nach seiner ArtH4327. Und GOttH430 sahH7200, daß es gutH2896 war. 26Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Laßt uns MenschenH120 machenH6213, ein BildH6754, das uns gleichH1823 sei, die da herrschenH7287 über die FischeH1710 im MeerH3220 und über die VögelH5775 unter dem HimmelH8064 und über das ViehH929 und über die ganze ErdeH776 und über alles GewürmH7431, das auf ErdenH776 kreuchtH7430. 27Und GOttH430 schufH1254 den MenschenH120 ihm zum BildeH6754, zum BildeH6754 GottesH430 schufH1254 er ihn; und schufH1254 sie ein MännleinH2145 und FräuleinH5347. 28UndH430 GOttH430 segneteH1288 sie und sprachH559 zu ihnen: Seid fruchtbarH6509 und mehretH7235 euch und fülletH4390 die ErdeH776 und machtH3533 sie euch untertan, und herrschetH7287 über FischeH1710 im MeerH3220 und über VögelH5775 unter dem HimmelH8064 und über alles TierH2416, das auf ErdenH776 kreuchtH7430. 29Und GOttH430 sprachH559: Sehet da, ich habe euch gegebenH5414 allerlei KrautH6212, das sich besamet, aufH6440 der ganzen ErdeH776, und allerlei fruchtbareH6529 BäumeH6086 und BäumeH6086, die sich besamen, zu eurerH1961 SpeiseH402, 30und allem TierH2416 auf ErdenH776 und allen VögelnH5775 unter dem HimmelH8064 und allem GewürmeH7430, das da LebenH5315 hat auf ErdenH776, daß sie allerlei grünH3418 KrautH6212 essenH402. Und es geschah also. 31Und GOttH430 sahH7200 an alles, wasH834 er gemacht hatteH6213; und siehe da, es war sehrH3966 gutH2896. Da ward aus AbendH6153 und 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].