The Beginning

(John 1:1-5)

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.

The First Day: Light

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.

The Second Day: Firmament

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.

The Third Day: Dry Ground

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.

The Fourth Day: Sun, Moon, Stars

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.

The Fifth Day: Fish and Birds

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.

The Sixth Day: Creatures on Land

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.

The Creation
(John 1:1–5; Hebrews 11:1–3)

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.

The First Day

3 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” There was evening and there was morning, one day.

The Second Day

6 God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky.” There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

The Third Day

9 God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so. 10 God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas.” God saw that it was good. 11 God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with its seed in it, on the earth;” and it was so. 12 The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with its seed in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

The Fourth Day

14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of sky to give light on the earth;” and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of sky to give light to the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

The Fifth Day

20 God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of sky.” 21 God created the large sea creatures, and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

The Sixth Day

24 God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so. 25 God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.

26 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 birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. 30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;” and it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

The Creation
(John 1:1–5; Hebrews 11:1–3)

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 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.

The First Day

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” a and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.”

And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. b 

The Second Day

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse c between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.” 7 So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky.”

And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

The Third Day

9 And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of waters He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. 12 The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

The Fourth Day

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years. 15 And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so.

16 God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well.

17 God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, 18 to preside over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

The Fifth Day

20 And God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every bird of flight after its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

The Sixth Day

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself d and every creature that crawls upon it.”

27 So God created man in His own image;

in the image of God He created him;

male and female He created them. e 

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

31 And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good.

And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

 

Footnotes:

3 a Cited in 2 Corinthians 4:6
5 b Literally day one
6 c Or a canopy  or a firmament  or a vault ; also in verses 7, 8, 14, 15, 17, and 20
26 d MT; Syriac and over all the beasts of the earth
27 e Cited in Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6

The Beginning

(John 1:1-5)

1In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth -- 2the earth hath existed waste and void, and darkness is on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God fluttering on the face of the waters,

The First Day: Light

3and God saith, 'Let light be;' and light is. 4And God seeth the light that it is good, and God separateth between the light and the darkness, 5and God calleth to the light 'Day,' and to the darkness He hath called 'Night;' and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day one.

The Second Day: Firmament

6And God saith, 'Let an expanse be in the midst of the waters, and let it be separating between waters and waters.' 7And God maketh the expanse, and it separateth between the waters which are under the expanse, and the waters which are above the expanse: and it is so. 8And God calleth to the expanse 'Heavens;' and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day second.

The Third Day: Dry Ground

9And God saith, 'Let the waters under the heavens be collected unto one place, and let the dry land be seen:' and it is so. 10And God calleth to the dry land 'Earth,' and to the collection of the waters He hath called 'Seas;' and God seeth that it is good. 11And God saith, 'Let the earth yield tender grass, herb sowing seed, fruit-tree (whose seed is in itself) making fruit after its kind, on the earth:' and it is so. 12And the earth bringeth forth tender grass, herb sowing seed after its kind, and tree making fruit (whose seed is in itself) after its kind; and God seeth that it is good; 13and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day third.

The Fourth Day: Sun, Moon, Stars

14And God saith, 'Let luminaries be in the expanse of the heavens, to make a separation between the day and the night, then they have been for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years, 15and they have been for luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth:' and it is so. 16And God maketh the two great luminaries, the great luminary for the rule of the day, and the small luminary -- and the stars -- for the rule of the night; 17and God giveth them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth, 18and to rule over day and over night, and to make a separation between the light and the darkness; and God seeth that it is good; 19and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day fourth.

The Fifth Day: Fish and Birds

20And God saith, 'Let the waters teem with the teeming living creature, and fowl let fly on the earth on the face of the expanse of the heavens.' 21And God prepareth the great monsters, and every living creature that is creeping, which the waters have teemed with, after their kind, and every fowl with wing, after its kind, and God seeth that it is good. 22And God blesseth them, saying, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and the fowl let multiply in the earth:' 23and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day fifth.

The Sixth Day: Creatures on Land

24And God saith, 'Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind:' and it is so. 25And God maketh the beast of the earth after its kind, and the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, and God seeth that it is good.

26And God saith, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.' 27And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them. 28And God blesseth them, and God saith to them, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over every living thing that is creeping upon the earth.' 29And God saith, 'Lo, I have given to you every herb sowing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree sowing seed, to you it is for food; 30and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to every creeping thing on the earth, in which is breath of life, every green herb is for food:' and it is so. 31And God seeth all that He hath done, and lo, very good; and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day the sixth.

Genesis 1 F.O.G Commentary

Visual Media Suggestion:

An infographic depicting the seven days of creation with visuals for each element created, such as light, sky, land, vegetation, stars, animals, and humans, could enhance understanding. A diagram illustrating the separation of the different elements (e.g., water above and below, light from darkness) could also be valuable. A short animated video explaining the order and significance of each day would be engaging for a broader audience.

Are you a talented designer or illustrator? Submit your ideas for the above to the F.O.G project here.

Key Verses:

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  • Genesis 1:1-3 (WEB): “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
  • Genesis 1:26 (WEB): “God said, ‘Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

Immediate Context:

Genesis 1 sets the stage for the entire Bible by introducing God as the Creator of all things. The chapter presents a structured account of creation, unfolding over seven days. This narrative provides the theological foundation for understanding the nature of God, the world, and humanity’s place within it. The chapter’s context highlights God’s sovereignty and creative power, establishing themes that resonate throughout the Bible, such as order, goodness, and purpose.

Key Insights:

The Hebrew word for “created” (ברא, bara) used in Genesis 1:1 implies creating something new and unique, highlighting God’s unparalleled power to bring the universe into existence. The phrase “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) suggests a complex unity within the Godhead, often interpreted as an early indication of the Trinity. The dominion granted to humanity over creation emphasizes human responsibility and stewardship as core elements of our divine purpose.

Biblical Themes:

Genesis 1 introduces several foundational biblical themes:

  • Creation and Order: God brings order out of chaos, establishing the world with structure and purpose.
  • Imago Dei: Humans are created in the image of God, setting them apart from the rest of creation and establishing their intrinsic value and dignity.
  • Sabbath Rest: The seventh day, when God rested, introduces the concept of Sabbath, a theme revisited throughout the Bible as a symbol of rest, worship, and trust in God’s provision.

Theological Significance:

Theologically, Genesis 1 underscores God as the sovereign Creator who brings order and purpose to creation. It challenges naturalistic views by affirming that the universe is a deliberate act of God, not a result of random chance. The creation of humans in God’s image has profound implications for understanding human dignity, morality, and purpose. This chapter also foreshadows the future redemption and restoration of creation through Christ, who is described as the Word through whom all things were made (John 1:3).

Cross References:

  • John 1:1-3: The Gospel of John begins with a parallel to Genesis 1, emphasizing Jesus as the Word through whom all things were created.
  • Psalm 8:3-6: This psalm reflects on humanity’s place in creation, highlighting God’s majesty and the honor bestowed upon humans as stewards of His creation.
  • Colossians 1:15-17: Paul describes Christ as the image of the invisible God and the one in whom all things hold together, connecting the themes of creation in Genesis with Christ’s sustaining power.

Reflection Question:

How does the concept of being made in the image of God influence the way you view yourself and others? Consider the implications for your daily interactions and how you can honor this divine image in your life.

Application Insight:

Living out the message of Genesis 1 involves recognizing the sanctity of all life and taking responsibility for the world God has entrusted to us. Practically, this means:

  • Stewardship: Take active steps to care for the environment, such as reducing waste, supporting sustainable practices, and advocating for policies that protect creation.
  • Dignity and Respect: Treat every person with the respect and honor due to someone made in God’s image, regardless of their background, beliefs, or status.
  • Rest and Worship: Embrace the principle of Sabbath by setting aside time each week for rest, reflection, and worship, trusting in God’s provision and acknowledging Him as Creator.

Did You Know?

  • The Hebrew word for “day” (yom) in Genesis 1 can signify a 24-hour day, but it is also used in Scripture to denote longer periods, which has led to various interpretations regarding the length of the creation days.
  • Ancient Near Eastern creation narratives, such as the Enuma Elish, depict chaotic battles between gods, whereas Genesis presents a peaceful and orderly creation by a single, sovereign God.
  • The structure of Genesis 1 (forming and filling) is mirrored in the tabernacle’s construction and the temple, suggesting that creation itself is a cosmic temple where God dwells with humanity.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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