And 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.
What does Genesis 1:2 mean?
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.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Genesis 1:1-2 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 1:2
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. - II. The Land hayah, "be." It is to be noted, however, that the word has three meanings, two of which now scarcely belong to our English "be." 1. "Be, as an event, start into being, begin to be, come to pass." This may be understood of a thing beginning to be, yehiy 'or, "be light" Genesis 1:3 ; or of an event taking place, vayehy mqets yamym, "and it came to pass from the end of days." 2. "Be," as a change of state, "become.
Key words
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And the earth was without form, and void,.
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And the earth was without form, and void,.
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And the earth was without form, and void,.
Context in Genesis 1
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Genesis 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as primeval history from creation to Babel. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on trusting God, receiving Christ, persevering without sight, and the relation between faith and lived obedience.
A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Passages on lowliness, modesty, the contrast between pride and humility, and the way God exalts those who humble themselves.
Who quoted Genesis 1:2?
Find out who used Genesis 1:2 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Genesis 1:2?
Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders used Genesis 1:2 in Apollo 8 Christmas Eve broadcast.