Genesis Chapter 1
1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2And 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.
3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
6And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
9And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.
10And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.
11And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
12And the earth brought forth grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
13And the evening and the morning were the third day.
14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also.
17And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.
19And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
21And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
22And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
23And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Matthew Henry's Bible commentary for Genesis Chapter 1...
Genesis is a name taken from the Greek, and signifies "the book of generation or production;" it is properly so called, as containing an account of the origin of all things. There is no other history so old. There is nothing in the most ancient book which exists that contradicts it; while many things recorded by the oldest heathen writers, or to be traced in the customs of different nations, confirm what is related in the book of Genesis.God creates heaven and earth. (1,2) The creation of light. (3-5) God separates the earth from the waters, and makes it fruitful. (6-13) God forms the sun, moon, and stars. (14-19) Animals created. (20-25) Man created in the image of God. (26-28) Food appointed. (29,30) The work of creation ended and approved. (31)1,2 The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin of the earth and the heavens. The faith of humble Christians understands this better than the fancy of the most learned men. From what we see of heaven and earth, we learn the power of the great Creator. And let our make and place as men, remind us of our duty as Christians, always to keep heaven in our eye, and the earth under our feet. The Son of God, one with the Father, was with him when he made the world; nay, we are often told that the world was made by him, and nothing was made without him. Oh, what high thoughts should there be in our minds, of that great God whom we worship, and of that great Mediator in whose name we pray! And here, at the beginning of the sacred volume, we read of that Divine Spirit, whose work upon the heart of man is so often mentioned in other parts of the Bible. Observe, that at first there was nothing desirable to be seen, for the world was without form, and void; it was confusion, and emptiness. In like manner the work of grace in the soul is a new creation: and in a graceless soul, one that is not born again, there is disorder, confusion, and every evil work: it is empty of all good, for it is without God; it is dark, it is darkness itself: this is our condition by nature, till Almighty grace works a change in us. 3-5 God said, Let there be light; he willed it, and at once there was light. Oh, the power of the word of God! And in the new creation, the first thing that is wrought in the soul is light: the blessed Spirit works upon the will and affections by enlightening the understanding. Those who by sin were darkness, by grace become light in the Lord. Darkness would have been always upon fallen man, if the Son of God had not come and given us understanding, #1Jo 5:20|. The light which God willed, he approved of. God divided the light from the darkness; for what fellowship has light with darkness? In heaven there is perfect light, and no darkness at all; in hell, utter darkness, and no gleam of light. The day and the night are the Lord's; let us use both to his honour, by working for him every day, and resting in him every night, meditating in his law both day and night. 6-13 The earth was emptiness, but by a word spoken, it became full of God's riches, and his they are still. Though the use of them is allowed to man, they are from God, and to his service and honour they must be used. The earth, at his command, brings forth grass, herbs, and fruits. God must have the glory of all the benefit we receive from the produce of the earth. If we have, through grace, an interest in Him who is the Fountain, we may rejoice in him when the streams of temporal mercies are dried up. 14-19 In the fourth day's work, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is accounted for. All these are the works of God. The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes, without telling their number, nature, place, size, or motions; for the Scriptures were written, not to gratify curiosity, or make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints. The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully, and shine in their season without fail. We are set as lights in this world to serve God; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation? We do not: our light does not shine before God, as his lights shine before us. We burn our Master's candles, but do not mind our Master's work. 20-25 God commanded the fish and fowl to be produced. This command he himself executed. Insects, which are more numerous than the birds and beasts, and as curious, seem to have been part of this day's work. The Creator's wisdom and power are to be admired as much in an ant as in an elephant. The power of God's providence preserves all things, and fruitfulness is the effect of his blessing. 26-28 Man was made last of all the creatures: this was both an honour and a favour to him. Yet man was made the same day that the beasts were; his body was made of the same earth with theirs; and while he is in the body, he inhabits the same earth with them. God forbid that by indulging the body, and the desires of it, we should make ourselves like the beasts that perish! Man was to be a creature different from all that had been hitherto made. Flesh and spirit, heaven and earth, must be put together in him. God said, "Let us make man." Man, when he was made, was to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Into that great name we are baptized, for to that great name we owe our being. It is the soul of man that especially bears God's image. Man was made upright, #Ec 7:29|. His understanding saw Divine things clearly and truly; there were no errors or mistakes in his knowledge; his will consented at once, and in all things, to the will of God. His affections were all regular, and he had no bad appetites or passions. His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects. Thus holy, thus happy, were our first parents in having the image of God upon them. But how is this image of God upon man defaced! May the Lord renew it upon our souls by his grace! 29,30 Herbs and fruits must be man's food, including corn, and all the products of the earth. Let God's people cast their care upon him, and not be troubled about what they shall eat, and what they shall drink. He that feeds his birds will not starve his babes. 31 When we come to think about our works, we find, to our shame, that much has been very bad; but when God saw his work, all was very good. Good, for it was all just as the Creator would have it to be. All his works, in all places of his dominion, bless him; and therefore, bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Let us bless God for the gospel of Christ, and when we consider his almighty power, let us sinners flee from the wrath to come. If new-created unto the image of God in holiness, we shall at length enter the "new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
Trent's comment on 1/02/2010, 7:10pm...
It's weird how the Earth was empty/void, but still has water...
Felis's comment about verse 1 on 1/07/2010, 8:03am...
In the beginning God-implies that God existed before everything was,He was there and He is self existence in his nature. Created the heaven and the earth out of nothing that we now see with our very own eyes,all the living things under the heaven small and big did not exist but it was God who made everything in the beginning. Heaven and earth were the work of God himself it did not appear by accident,the beginning is the foundation of the creation.
ekerette ukpeh's comment on 1/14/2010, 3:14am...
God created Adam and Eve at same time,that is God created Eve and put her inside of Adam,(Adam carried Eve on his inside but did not know until the day God caused him to sleep and pick out his rib created Eve).
michael's comment on 1/18/2010, 2:59am...
If God created Heaven and Earth then did God create himself or just a place for him to reside in?
Jacob 's comment on 1/18/2010, 4:49pm...
The english word "water" used in the verse "and the earth was without form, and void, and the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" is the best equivalent we have for the Hebrew word-- the Hebrew word for water is also used for vastness and depth... in fact it's often translated "the face of the deep". So it could mean outer space. But even if it doesn't, and it literally means water, it still makes sense, because, like Felis said, God created everything first, the heavens and the earth, and that includes any water. He created it, and it was without form-- meaning, He made it without form first, and then gave it form after. No big controversy, just a really amazing way of doing things, which is how God does everything, after all...
Aaron Frejborg's comment on 1/28/2010, 11:41am...
Beautiful.
Such a simple eloquent account of something so large in scope, and amazing.
Do not simply read the words and expect immediate understanding. It is a subtle piece by piece revelation that comes when you are ready. Keep seeking and you will find.
ryan's comment on 1/28/2010, 10:32pm...
How could this account satisfy the mind of any rational person? It it simply enough to leave such a vague account of creation as the definitive explanation? There are so many illogical points that cannot be ignored. Just one..to quote "..And God set them (stars) in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth"
That's the purpose of stars? The billions and billions of starts millions and millions of light years apart across the expanse of the universe were created to give light to the Earth at night. That is the definition of bad design. Genesis as literal account of creation just doesn't hold up.
Also, if you take the account of Genesis as literal truth then you must also take the entire Bible as literal truth and you must somehow reconcile innumerable inconsistencies and impossibilities that we know to be untrue. For example..the millions of species of animals that somehow fit on the ark, many of which would have to have traveled the expanse of the globe and cross the oceans in a short time frame. Or..Jonah living inside whale, or the vast lifespan of early man which has no evidence in the human historical record other than the bible. We can go on and on. You have to discard almost all of science, Physics,Cosmology,Biology,Genetics,Geology,Astronomy,Paleontology..(and that's leaving Evolution off the table) That's quite a task!
I have much respect for the bible but those who take it as literal truth are required to ignore the virtual entirety of scientific discovery!
Carylou's comment on 1/31/2010, 10:44am...
Ryan - that is where faith comes in. The Scriptures are God breathed. There are mysteries that will not be understood until Christ's second coming. All Christians - true Christians in the Body of Christ - when approaching scriptures with a humble heart in Christ Jesus - all of us are given the same information by the Counselor, The Holy Spirit. Those who do not welcome Christ into their hearts and desire to be reborn into the Truth in Christ Jesus - will not comprehend scriptures. Please focus on the new testament as this is the New Covenant and is what we should be focusing on in the present day. Too many people get caught up in quarreling and arguing over the old testament and creation. We do not come from fish. We do not come from some crazy cosmic bang. We were made by intelligent design. There is no other way aroudn it. Science - in it's great efforts - cannot explain it thoroughly on ANY account. That's just the way it is. There is One Living God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit. Please give it some thought, pray and approach scriptures in a humble manner. Try not to intellectualize and you may receive The Truth.
Dan 's comment on 2/01/2010, 8:47pm...
I started college as an staunch evolutionist and graduated with High Honors and degrees in Biology and Zoology. I went on to receive a M.S. in Science Education and received even more advanced degrees in science, all with honors, at secular institutions. By the time I finished my formal "scientific" education, I had become a staunch, literal Bible-believing Christian, primarily because of the massive errors and inconsistencies encountered in the so-called "sciences". Passing off "theories" like evolution as factual is deceptive and undermines true science, while severely damaging its credibility. Global warming is another example. A true fiasco - a hoax - to anyone who honestly examines the facts. Many theories presented as factual are now discredited by the very individuals who proposed them. Anyone care to discuss "ontogeny recapitulates pylogeny"? This theory was popular during my undergrad years and we spent hours tediously memorizing all the details of the concept. A mere 3 years later I was laughed at by the same professors who had taught it when I brought it up in graduate classes. "No one believes that anymore" I was told. What a waste of time. The Word of God is true and unchanging. God is real. I challenge you to read "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell, or "Darwin's Black Box" by Michael Behe. But first and foremost, read the Bible with an open mind. Give God a chance - I did. You might be very surprised where it leads you. There is no scientific cure for what ails us - redemption by a loving God is our only hope. God Bless!
Adam's comment on 2/02/2010, 11:47pm...
Hi Ryan, thanks for your good comment. Yes, the Bible leaves many things unanswered. It even says so itself- that we humans will never know the mysteries of this world.
I think God created many things because he felt like it and because he can do anything, it probably doesn't seem like that much effort. For example creating billions of starts. Much of the creation has probably gone unrecognized or even appreciated- like strange creatures deep in the ocean, or how brains work, or why some animals have 'emotion'.
But when I consider the alternative of not believing in God, I just can't imagine how such sophisticated creatures with colorful and complex designs can occur by chance. It seems a little too well-designed to me- if chance, I'd expect many iterations of things that don't work. I people say natural selection eliminates those iterations in between, but I don't see them. A killer whale is much different than a giraffe or a butterfly or a human. Simple things like sunsets, rainbows- many artists use color schemes that resemble nature, because of its brillant color schemes and designs. If we try to do things without knowing the principles it can easily look ugly.
Yeah, the story of Noah, Jonah, etc. Yep, hard to imagine. But then there's some findings that seem to confirm the Bible, such as finding the remains of Noahs Ark in Turkey: http://www.arkdiscovery.com/noah's_ark.htm or scientists finding seashells high on mountain peaks, suggesting a flood.
I think it takes faith either way. Faith to believe in the Bible, but probably even more faith to believe that everything is here just by chance.
Good comments.
Zinnia's comment on 2/09/2010, 7:17am...
Gosh! God MADE US IN HIS OWN IMAGE! God have two eyes, two hands, two legs blah blah blah alike us (OR WE HAVE THOSE ALIKE GOD?)!!! Can't believe...
Isaias's comment on 2/09/2010, 11:42am...
The whole text of Genesis 1: 1-31 proves that God is God of all Gods,LOrd of all Lords , king of all kings that has the power to do what ever he wish.HIs power is limitless that no human being could understand or percieve.So as human being we has no right to doubt his capabilities as God. In Muslim they call it "Qun fa YaQun"meaning whatevewr God wishes to do no one could ask him or prevent him in doing so.Even John [the Baptist] sed "If God wish to give his son from a piece of stone he can do so". So as human beings absulutely we know nothing about God ,the same way we dont know our own selves[where does it came from and where it is going]precisely GOD KNOWS BEST WHAT IS GOOD FOR HIM AND HIS CREATIONS.OUR LORD IS A GREAT GOD NO QUESTIONS ABOUT IT...
David's comment on 2/09/2010, 11:44pm...
The book of Genesis, particularly the first chapter about the creation of the world, is one of the most beautiful manifestations of the greatest of Almighty God. As a teacher and a born again believer in Christ, who is extremely interested in the study of "the natural sciences", I cant help but wonder at the beauty of nature, which is undoubtably solid proof that God truly exist, in all his magnificent glory.
Antionette Lewis's comment on 2/10/2010, 11:55am...
great
Vernon's comment on 2/12/2010, 6:14am...
First and foremost I want to give God the highest honor and glory, simply because the word of God tells us to give honor where honor is due. Genesis the greatest book I believe simply because this is where the world and humanity and being came to be. If anyone wants to dispute God and say we just evolved or anything for that matter just evolved then that person just answer me one question where did god come from. If the person disputes the word of God can answer that then I might just have to change my mind but I really think that would be unlikely for that question to be answered. God created all therefore creating man, heavens and earth and everything in it. God bless.
Just Me's comment on 2/14/2010, 1:09am...
The Hebrew is very specific; The world Became Void and without form. God did not create things void and without form.
As far as Adam carring Eve within him? OK Crackpot.mDon't make things up. Prove them, this one is easilynknocked down.
Michael Arnold's comment on 2/16/2010, 4:14am...
It is speculated that the Earth was indeed surrounded by a canopy of water until the great flood, and that huge amounts of water came forth from the ground in massive, high pressure jet streams like massive fountains from today's 'faults' or cracks.
Perhaps two of the mostimportant things to understand about Genesis 1 is that God is the Living God and the God of the living. He did not use death and decay to create, and then call it 'good' and 'very good'. The second thing is that we have been deceived to interpret our world falsely under the pretense of uniformity instead of catastrophy. The created Earth is gone. Peter makes it clear that there was a different Earth before the flood. We cannot therefore understand fully the creation if we try to take data from this this post-flood world and call it the created world. It is in fact the destroyed and judged Earth, and it will be destroyed again, but with fire.
Listen to Peter, as he reminds us of the true history of this destroyed Earth:
1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Robert's comment on 2/16/2010, 5:36pm...
I've never read the bible. I do, however, believe there is a God. I am thinking of purchasing a Bible in the near future so that I can try to understand the word. My question is, are there several Bibles and the "King James Bible" is one of many? Why is it called King James Bible?
W's comment on 2/23/2010, 11:30am...
Zinnia,
Yes, He did have two eyes, a mouth, hair, two feet, two hands and, He spoke and speaks today too.
His name is Yah Shua the Messiah.
mhenders's comment on 2/23/2010, 5:42pm...
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 1 speaks about the creations of God and Genesis 2 speaks about what the creator "God" created.
Tini Lam Yuen's comment on 3/06/2010, 7:38pm...
This tells us about the whole creation!!!
Anonymous's comment on 3/12/2010, 7:26am...
The image of god the reflection of God the characteristic of god his love, compassion,his rule, his statue, apostle paul says sense you believe have you recieved the holy spirit. in the beginning god made the heavens and the earth. also the word of God and it became flesh and dwelled among men.
Doris's comment on 3/14/2010, 5:34pm...
What a God we serve. This is truely enlightenment
to understand this...
sandy's comment on 3/14/2010, 8:05pm...
All i wanted to know is who or what created God.
Why did it take so long for this supposed God to make earth. How do you explain there are planets out there that are older than Earth. Are these previous attempts by God to create?
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