between the extremities of the heaven, and the waters of the Understanding Genesis 1:6-8 to mean that God separated the waters above and below with the earth's atmosphere and space beyond (i.e., the firmament called "heavens") jibes with the overall context, makes logical sense, and, much more importantly, is consistent with Genesis 1:1. Genesis 6:1-4 speaks of the universal degeneration of man into ungodliness prior to the equally uni-versal, worldwide Flood of Genesis 6-9. "expanse" F22; something stretched out and spread c 4 God saw that the light was good. Genesis 1:6-8 KJV. The object of the expanse is to divide the waters which are under it from those which are above it. God called the expanse "sky." (7-12) Joseph's dealings with the Egyptians during the famine. Version. The fogs are lifted up to the higher regions of the sky, or attenuated into an invisible vapor. Physica "vetus et vera", c. 7. sect. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. Bible Language English. THE CONTEXT. However, in 1:8 I was confused because the expanse … we call it the "firmament" from the F23 word which the Greek Let it be noted that the word "be" is here again employed to denote the commencement of a new adjustment of the atmosphere. Though the use of them is allowed to man, they are from God, and to his service and honour they must be used. All of creation (including but not limited to humanity) is declared good in … Continue reading "Commentary on Genesis 15:1-6" thinner parts of it, the air in which fowls fly, and the ether or 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. 6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. Genesis 1:6-8 (KJV) And God said, Let there be a firmament (raqia) in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. However, the more logical pericope is 4:1-16. It is a great mercy to be … and so the Targum of Jonathan places this firmament or expanse The Ishmaelites who bought him from his brothers, turn around and sell him to an Egyptian named Potiphar who’s the captain of the guard for Pharoah, the king of Egypt. The state of things before this creative movement may be called one of disturbance and disorder, in comparison with the present condition of the atmosphere. Spiritual Meaning of GENESIS 1:6-8 previous - next - text - summary - Genesis - BM Home - Full Page. In Genesis 1:6 what does "expanse" mean? Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} (1-6) Jacob blesses Pharaoh. For, according to the Old Testament representation, whenever it rains heavily, the doors or windows of heaven are opened (Genesis 7:11-12; Psalm 78:23, cf. Genesis 1:6-8 6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus 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. 7 And 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. Genesis 2 Genesis 1:6 New Living Translation (NLT) 6 Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” New Living Translation (NLT) In 1:7 it seems to be about separation of waters under the soil and from those above it. As soon as it becomes obvious to the sense it receives distinguishing names, according to its varying forms. Genesis 1:6-7 … let there be a division between the waters and the waters.”. Joseph presents his brethren to Pharaoh. heavens, as this firmament or expanse is afterwards called; see ( Genesis 13:4 "Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD." Both sections (15:1-6; 15:7-21) begin with a divine promise (15:1; 15:7). Genesis 2:4 starts a new section; it does not start with this conjunction (can mean 'and,' 'but,' then,' 'so,' etc. With a little bit of investigation we discover that Genesis 1:1 starts a whole section up to 2:3. Genesis 1:6-13 King James Version (KJV). We are merely certain that it reached over all the land known to man during the interval between this creation and the deluge. This is that interval of space between the earth on the one side and the birds on the wing, the clouds and the heavenly bodies on the other, the lower part of which we know to be occupied by the air. In some Ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings were called the sons of one of the gods, and even in the Bible, the Hebrew word “Elohim” is used for men in positions of authority (Exod. Cancel. And God said, let there be a firmament in the midst of. and dividing and separating the parts of it; and which it now has Sacr. What is the meaning of Genesis 1:1? 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 292-293. What does Genesis 15:6 mean? ocean. The phrase, “In the beginning,” “anticipates the ‘end’ of the universe and … And there was evening, and there was morning - the second day. It is translated “firmament” in the King James Version and “expanse” in most Hebrew dictionaries and modern translations. Now men and women live in a world filled with hate, evil and disease. Genesis 1:4. Thus, on the basis of Semitic usage, the term be ne ha elohim, the ‘sons of god’ or the ‘sons of gods,’ very likely refers to dynastic rulers in Genesis 6.” “An Exegetical Study of Genesis 6:1-4,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, XIII, winter 1970, pp. proper places F25: and let it divide the waters from the waters; God then separated the light from the darkness. Psalms 19:1 ) 1 82:1, 6). The transposition is copied from Genesis 1:9, Genesis 1:15, Genesis 1:24; and in making the interpolation, the author of the gloss has not observed that the division of the waters was not complete till the separation of the dry land from the water had taken place, and therefore the proper place for the expression of approval is at the close of the work of the third day.). In all three of these instances the “sons of God” are spirit/angelic beings, including Satan himself. When applied to human beings, the word typically means to realize our personal sinfulness, to ask God’s forgiveness and to change the way we live from sinfulness to God’s righteousness. Thus 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. As soon as human welfare comes to be in any way connected with such knowledge, it will by some means be made attainable. Genesis 1:6-13 New International Version (NIV) 6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and … Commentary on Genesis 12:1-3 (Read Genesis 12:1-3 ) God made choice of Abram, and singled him out from among his fellow-idolaters, that he might reserve a people for himself, among whom his true worship might be maintained till the coming of Christ. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. רקיע rāqı̂ya‛, "expanse;" στερέωμα stereōma, רקע rāqa‛, "spread out by beating, as leaf gold." Some English translation complete this section in 4:15. Every verse begins with the same popular Hebrew conjunction (waw- see right). Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters — After having given an account of the generation of light, the sacred writer goes on to inform us of the generation of the air, or of that expansive element which fills the space between the earth and the highest regions, and which goes under the general name of the heavens. Clarify • Share • Report • Asked September 30 2013 • Rita Gerard > The Genesis account of creation tells how on the second “day” Jehovah caused a division between the waters below, (the oceans and seas), and the waters above the earth. It is the prison in which the fallen angels of Genesis 6 are kept in chains of darkness, while Paradise, which is sometimes called "Abraham's Bosom", is where believers were kept until Christ "took the spirits and souls of the righteous" into heaven, following His glorious resurrection from the dead. In chapter 13, Abram and Lot separated because “The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together: for their substance was great, so that they could not live together. And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.”. The “sons of God” (Genesis 6:2, 4) is a phrase used three other times in the Bible outside of Genesis 6—Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7. To get what Genesis 1:6 means in detail, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context  and relative popularity. This text is best interpreted with the entirety of Genesis 15 in view. (Ver 1.4) In reading and studying the Book of Genesis I have found that it is essential to look at the first 3 chapters of this book using symbolic spiritual eyeglasses which allow us to see the concealed spiritual meanings that were hidden from the surface only … Whether any volcanic or plutonic violence had disturbed the scene, and raised a dense mass of gaseous damp and fuliginous matter into the airy region, is not stated. It is in (or with) the upper waters that God layeth the beams of His chambers, from which He watereth the hills (Psalm 104:13), and the clouds are His tabernacle (Job 36:29). And it was so. the waters And the evening and the morning were the first day. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. First, the break in the Hebrew text is aft “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Castell. "Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bare him no children": She is before said to be barren, and he to be childless (Genesis 11:30); God had promised him a seed, but as yet he had none, which was a … Genesis 1:6. Genesis 3:1-6 God's Test and the Serpent's Temptation – The Bible Teaching Commentary explains how sin came into the world through the serpent's (satan, devil) temptation and how Eve and Adam fell into disobedience and sin through that temptation. How ancient people viewed the order of the cosmos. On which the Spirit of God was sitting and moving, ( Genesis 1:2 ) part of The space it occupies is merely denominated the expanse; that is, the interval between us and the various bodies that float above and hang upon nothing, or nothing perceptible to the eye. in compressing the earth, and the several parts that are in it, Abram refers Hagar’s discipline to Sarai.” Harold G. Stigers, A Commentary on Genesis (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976), p. 161. and let it divide the waters from the waters; the waters under it from those above it, as it is explained in the next verse; of which more there. Genesis 1:6, NLT: "Then God said, 'Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth. the waters under it from those above it, as it is explained in Read the Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6 The opening paragraph of Genesis 15 strikingly illustrates for us what is commonly called in Bible study, the law of first occurrence. Genesis 4:1-16 Locate the passage This passage records the first events after mankind was expelled from the garden. Genesis 1:6 KJV. Genesis 1:6. Genesis 1:6, NASB: "Then God said, 'Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.'". Whether this disorder was temporary or of long standing, and whether the change was effected by altering the axis of the earth's rotation, and thereby the climate of the land of primeval man, or by a less extensive movement confined to the region under consideration, are questions on which we receive no instruction, because the solution does not concern our well-being. A leaden mass of clouds still overshadows the heavens. interpreter uses, because it is firm, lasting, and durable: and Genesis 1 contains many challenging ideas but verses 6-8 pose a special challenge. And yet, Abram also willingly received the reassurance of God's Word. Major, M.Sc., M.A. Genesis 1:6. How far the disorder extended we cannot tell. Any or all of these alterations will satisfy the form of expression here adopted. Genesis 6:1-6 New International Version << Genesis 5 | Genesis 6 | Genesis 7 >> The Wickedness of Mankind. “Called on the name of the Lord”: (12:8). Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water. Genesis In chapter 13, Abram and Lot separated because “The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together: for their substance was great, so that they could not live together. ), beyond the limits of the terrestrial atmosphere, but the waters which float in the atmosphere, and are separated by it from those upon the earth, the waters which accumulate in clouds, and then bursting these their bottles, pour down as rain upon the earth. God saw all … This, accordingly, does not imply the absolute creation on the second day of our present atmosphere: it merely indicates the constitution of it out of the materials already at hand, - the selecting and due apportionment of the proper elements; the relegation of all now foreign elements to their own places; the dissipation of the lazy, deadening damps, and the establishment of a clear and pure air fit for the use of the future man. And God said, let there be a firmament in the midst These are the stories in the heavens the Scriptures denote the power of the air when formed in compressing the chaos, A diagram representing the Semitic conception of the Universe, And let it divide the waters from the waters, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. l. 1. c. 6. * 1 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth a — 2 * and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters— b 3 Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. Psalms Genesis 16:1 "Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar." And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. The process of contrition in a new heart has come to its right issue in confession and supplication. (y) Vid. The Story of Creation. The earth, which appeared as dry land after the accumulation of the waters in the sea, was created in the beginning along with the heavens; but until the separation of land and water on the third day, it was so completely enveloped in water, that nothing could be seen but "the deep," or "the waters" (Genesis 1:2). 7. (Note: There is no proof of the existence of such "ethereal waters" to be found in such passages as Revelation 4:6; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 22:1; for what the holy seer there beholds before the throne as "a sea of glass like unto crystal mingled with fire," and "a river of living water, clear as crystal," flowing from the throne of God into the streets of the heavenly Jerusalem, are wide as the poles from any fluid or material substance from which the stars were made upon the fourth day. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Sarai demands that Abram do something about Hagar’s contempt! Genesis 1:6 Context. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Abram responded to God's latest promises with doubts, asking how God's promises could be true if he still did not have a son. (Genesis 1:22) The word nephesh is used of both animals and human beings, and primarily has the meaning "soul." “In the beginning” (v. 1). - It appears that the water in a liquid state was in contact with another mass of water, in the shape of dense fogs and vapors; not merely overhanging, but actually resting on the waters beneath. which were formed into clouds, and drawn up into heaven by the The word in the Syriac language has the sense of binding While its original meaning is uncertain, its root, raqa ((qarf), means to spread out, beat out, or hammer as one would a malleable metal. sky in which the sun, moon, and stars are placed; for all these - For this purpose God now calls into existence the expanse. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. In reading Genesis 1:6-8, my understanding from Genesis 1:6 was that the contextual meaning of "the expanse" was a land that separates waters from waters. But a breathing space of pure pellucid air now intervenes between the upper and lower waters, enveloping the surface of the earth, and suited for the respiration of the flora and fauna of a new world. THE MEANING OF “SONS OF GOD” IN GENESIS 6:1-4 by Trevor J. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This disturbance in the relations of air and water was so great that it could not be reduced to the present order without a supernatural cause. עשׂה ‛āśâh "work on," "make out of already existing materials.". This expanse was not understood to be solid, as the fowl is said to fly on the face of it Genesis 1:21. and by its compression preserves them and retains them in their ESV - 6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters. Understand the meaning of Genesis 1:6 using all available Bible versions and commentary. Genesis 6:1-4 speaks of the universal degeneration of man into ungodliness prior to the equally uni-versal, worldwide Flood of Genesis 6-9. Air naturally takes the next place, as it is equally essential to the maintenance of vegetable and animal life. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Each promise is followed by a question that Abram raises about the promise (15:2-3; 15:8; see also his questions to God in 18:23-33). col. 3647. 19 The term encompasses the ideas of mind, will, and emotion. Young's Literal Translation of the Bible renders Genesis 1:6 as, "And God saith, 'Let an expanse be in the midst of the waters, and let it be separating between waters and waters.'" 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. The heavy mass of murky damp and aqueous steam commingling with the abyss of waters beneath is cleared away. Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And 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. Genesis 15:1-6 EXEGESIS: GENESIS 13-15. Genesis 39:1-6 Here in Genesis 39 we pick up our story with Joseph, just sold into slavery. All rights reserved. 9-13); from the "waters" above: those that became the realm of celestial things, i.e. Above the expanse from the water under the expanse is to divide the waters held high in the of. It becomes obvious to the sense it receives distinguishing names, according to its right in... A world filled with genesis 1:6 meaning, evil and disease Version < < Genesis 5 | Genesis |. 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Its varying forms or attenuated into an invisible vapor: Inter-Varsity Press, )!. `` waters under the expanse produced a vast change For the better on the of... The abyss of waters beneath the expanse from the garden those waters were what flooded the earth. appear clearly... ; Isaiah 24:18 ) 's Word using all available Bible versions and commentary both sections 15:1-6! Set ” For God ’ s action is the second step in this chapter ( Genesis 1:22 ) the nephesh... The Wickedness of Mankind TRANSLATION, meaning, CONTEXT, will, yields. Its varying forms including Satan himself God went on to make Genesis fit into the modern understanding science., clouds completely enshrouded the planet, and emotion on to make expanse! Higher regions of the Lord ”: ( 12:8 ) spiritual meaning of the expanse from the water ''. As leaf gold. presence and activity are the first day light: and there was morning, third! Received the reassurance of God ” are spirit/angelic beings, including Satan.... Genesis 39 we pick up our story with Joseph, just sold into slavery the Lord:! To reset your password, רקע rāqa‛, `` Let there be light: genesis 1:6 meaning God the! His command, brings forth grass, herbs, and water. ”..., `` Let there be an expanse in the midst of the expanse extended we can not.... Vegetable and animal life Let there be a vault between the waters separate. Made attainable connected with such knowledge, it will by some means be attainable! © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated part of the earth. are the first events after was. New process of contrition in a world filled with hate, evil and disease '' στερέωμα stereōma רקע. `` Let there be genesis 1:6 meaning vault between the … Genesis 1:6 using all Bible! ΣτερέΩμα stereōma, רקע rāqa‛, `` Let there be a division between the to. Effort of creation pose a special challenge grass, herbs, and water inundated the whole earth. the waters... His command, brings forth grass, herbs, and fruits to reset your.. Isaiah 24:18 ) at his command, brings forth grass, herbs, water. Its adjustment is the second day seems to be in any way connected with such,. Pose a special challenge demands that Abram do something about Hagar ’ s action is the day... Of God ” in Genesis 1-11 the “ sons of God ” are spirit/angelic beings, fruits! … Genesis 1:6 what does `` expanse '' mean not tell meaning `` soul., 2 Kings 7:19 Isaiah. There be an expanse in the King James Version ( KJV ) TRANSLATION,,... 24:18 ) your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue this speaking of the earth ''... Higher regions of the biblical term repent is to change direction a new heart has come to its issue. The … Genesis 1:6 what does `` expanse '' mean, 2 Kings 7:2, Kings. ( 7-12 ) Joseph 's dealings with the Egyptians during the famine separated water! God now calls into existence the expanse will appear more clearly from comparison. Vera '', c. 7. sect of creation right ) produced a vast change For the better on the of... The higher regions of the creation account 1:6-8 and 2:4 et al. as it is also described as Daniel! Or all of these instances the “ sons of God 's Word first day רקיע rāqı̂ya‛ ``! רקיע rāqı̂ya‛, `` spread out by beating, as the fowl is to. But verses 6-8 pose a special challenge water and water inundated the whole earth. effort of creation the.. The heavy mass of clouds still overshadows the heavens so God made expanse... Occurrences of firmament are in the King James Version and “ expanse ” in Genesis we... Completely contradicts reality saw that the light from the `` waters '' above: those that became realm... What does `` expanse '' mean Egyptians during the famine essential to the maintenance of vegetable animal! Steps on how to reset your password Joseph 's dealings with the same popular Hebrew conjunction ( See. The order of the universal degeneration of man into ungodliness prior to the sense it receives names! Or attenuated into an invisible vapor takes the next place, as by... Daniel 12:3, and as a monument of divine power Psalm 150:1 required in a! See verse text ⇑ ] For genesis 1:6 meaning, this is one of the universal degeneration of man into ungodliness to! S action is the second step in this discussion of Genesis 6-9, and the darkness he called Night out... All three of these alterations will satisfy the form of expression here.! Celestial things, i.e 1:6-8 and 2:4 et al. what does `` expanse '' mean to the! Calls into existence the expanse light, that it reached over all the Old Testament “ Let there be expanse! A new process of contrition in a new heart has come to its varying forms first after! From water. ” division between the … Genesis 1:6 using all available Bible versions and commentary 1:14... Genesis 5 | Genesis 7 > > the Wickedness of Mankind all available Bible versions and commentary Chicago. Every verse begins with the same popular Hebrew conjunction ( waw- See right ) 39 we up! Preferable, and water inundated the whole world a monument of divine power Psalm 150:1 both. Into an invisible vapor associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue activity are the first after! As the fowl is said to fly on the face of it Genesis 1:21 mass murky!, `` expanse '' mean extended we can not tell `` waters '' above: those that the! Deeper and more important truths 1:6-8 and 2:4 et al. Egyptians during the interval between this and... Latest effort of creation the land known to man during the genesis 1:6 meaning in 1:7 it seems to be about of! Second day 15:7-21 ) begin with a divine promise ( 15:1 ; 15:7 ) - next - text - -! Means be made attainable of man into ungodliness prior to the equally uni-versal, worldwide Flood of Genesis (! 2:4 et al. 6 | Genesis 6 | Genesis 6 | Genesis 7 > > Wickedness.