And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
What does Genesis 1:9 mean?
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.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Genesis 1:9-13 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 1:9
- V. The Third Day 9. qavah "turn, bind, gather, expect." yabashah "the dry, the ground." yabesh, "be dry." bosh, "be abashed." 11. deshe', "green thing, grass." esab, "herb." zera, "seed." zara, "sow," sero. pery, "fruit." parah, "bear"; φερω phero. The work of creation on this day is evidently twofold, - the distribution of land and water, and the creation of plants. The former part of it is completed, named, reviewed, and approved before the latter is commenced. All that has been done before this, indeed, is preparatory to the introduction of the vegetable kingdom. This may be regarded as the first stage of the present creative process.
Key words
- said
-
And God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place,.
- waters
-
And God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place,.
- under
-
And God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place,.
Context in Genesis 1
Show chapter context
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
Explore by topic
A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Passages on peace with God, peace in the heart, peace in community, and the biblical difference between true peace and false reassurance.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.
Who quoted Genesis 1:9?
Find out who used Genesis 1:9 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Genesis 1:9?
Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders used Genesis 1:9 in Apollo 8 Christmas Eve broadcast.