Genesis 1:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

NIV: And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day.

NASB: And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

CSB: Evening came and then morning: the fourth day.

NLT: And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.

KJV: And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

NKJV: So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Genesis frames God's creation of all things using a poetic structure. This follows a strict pattern, where God speaks, creates, observes, and blesses His work. The day is then given a number. Verses 14 through 18 described the fourth day of creation, where God formed the sun, moon, and stars. Here, verse 19 closes out the description of the fourth creative day, referencing the concept of "evening and morning." In this time, Israel defined days from sunset to sunset, from evening through to morning, sunset to sunset.

God's creation of the sun, moon, and stars counters any belief that these are deities themselves. Many cultures, including ancient Egypt, worshipped the sun and moon as gods. Other religions, and modern astrology, believe that the position of these objects determines a person's fate. By making it clear that these are just pieces of God's creation, Genesis dispels any claims that there is supernatural power in the heavenly bodies.

Genesis 1:14–25 describes the second three days of creation: days four, five, and six, just prior to the creation of human kind. As with the first three, there is a common pattern. God's spoken word results in creation, which God then names and declares ''good.'' The day is then numbered. Each of these days fills something created in one of the prior three days. The sun and moon are created on day four, while day and night were created on day one. Sea creatures are created on day five, for the oceans formed on day two. Land animals—and, later, human beings—are made on day six, for the dry land and plants which God created on day three.

Genesis 1 is nothing less than a bare-bones claim that God created the universe. Setting all of the debates on models and interpretations aside, the chapter undeniably insists on one thing: God means to be known as the Creator of all things. Written in the original Hebrew language according to a rigid, poetic structure, the chapter unfolds in a series of patterns and revelations. For those who believe these words, our response should be nothing less than to worship our Maker.

Genesis 1 is the first chapter of what came to be known as the Pentateuch: the first five books of the Bible. Likely written by Moses, Genesis 1 begins the story of God and His relationship with His people Israel. The role of God as Creator is not only important for setting up His work in later chapters, but also in His supremacy and authority for all of the other words of the Scriptures. God intends first to be known to all peoples as the Creator of all things—from sun, moon, and stars, to human life itself. And as the Creator, He is owed worship by all He has made, including and especially human beings

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/5/2024 10:10:59 PM