Translations
Original
Notes
Light is the opposite of chaotic darkness (1:2). God considers light to be good, but not darkness (John 1:5). God is the source of this light (Genesis 1:14–19). God separated light, just like he separated water (1:6–8), using his word that creates. Light is associated with life and blessings (Job 38:19–20; Psalms 19:1–6; 97:11; 104:19–20; Isaiah 60:19–20). It limits the darkness that could destroy cosmic order.
Darkness often represents fear, death, and evil (Genesis 15:12; Job 18:6, 18; Psalm 88:12; Ephesians 5:11–12; 1 John 1:5).
In the first three days, God shaped the formless world into a place where people and animals could live.
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
- Creation of all thingsc. 4004 BC
Parallels
Glossary
Animals Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Creation Creation Myths Darkness 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 Waters of Chaos Woman Word, Word of God, Words of God
Topics
Creation: Order of First Day, Making Light and Dividing It from Darkness Darkness: Separated from the Light God: Creator Good Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to the Divinity of Light: Created Light: Separated from Darkness Physics