Keraia
Genesis 1

Genesis 1:2

The Creation · Genesis 1:1–31
Read Genesis 1

Translations

Modern
Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
Traditional
And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Literal
And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Latin
Terra autem erat inanis et vacua, et tenebræ erant super faciem abyssi: et spiritus Dei ferebatur super aquas.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Notes

Genesis 1:2

  • This verse provides context for the summary in 1:1 and the detailed description in 1:3–2:3. God's words of creation bring order to the universe's chaos.

  • formless and void (Hebrew tohu and bohu): This phrase means something like "wild and waste." It strongly contrasts with the final ordered state of the heavens and earth (1:1).

  • surface of the deep (Hebrew pene tehom): Some scholars suggest this refers to the Mesopotamian goddess Tiamat (representing chaos). But Genesis sees tehom as empty chaos, not as a deity or goddess that God fought in a cosmic battle.

  • the Spirit of God: God directly guided and oversaw the process of creation.

Genesis 1:1–2:3

  • 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:

    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.

Events

Parallels

John 1:1–5 Hebrews 11:1–3

Glossary

Animals Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Bottomless Pit Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Creation Creation Myths Darkness Desert Fall of Man Genesis, Book of God, Names of Hebrew Language Image of God Land Man Mesopotamia Monotheism New Creation, New Creature Night Patriarchs, Period of the Peter, Second Letter of Sea Spirit of God Waters of Chaos Woman Word, Word of God, Words of God

Topics

Darkness: Originally Covered the Earth Darkness: Over the Face of the Earth Gap Theory God: Creator Holy Spirit: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to the Divinity of Power of the Holy Spirit: The Creation The Age of the Earth The Earth: The World in General The Gap Theory The Ocean The Power of the Holy Spirit: Exhibited in Creation Titles and Names of the Holy Spirit: Spirit of God Water: One of the Elements of the World