Genesis 1:15

Modern

And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so.

Traditional

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

Literal

…and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens, to shine upon the earth.” And it was so.

Latin

…ut luceant in firmamento cæli, et illuminent terram. Et factum est ita.

Hebrew

English

And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so.

On days four through six, God filled the domains that had been formed during days one through three (1:3–13).

These verses introduce the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). They teach Israel that one true God created, ordered, and populated the world, not the gods of nearby nations.
God blessed three specific things:
- animal life (1:22–25),
- human life (1:27), and
- the Sabbath day (2:3).
These three blessings emphasize the Creator's plan. God made humans in his image to rule in his place over earth's creatures and to join in God's Sabbath rest.

Theme notes and profiles