And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
What does Genesis 2:2 mean?
After six days, God ceased from all works of creation. In miracles, he has overruled nature, but never changed its settled course, or added to it.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Genesis 2:1-3 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 2:2
Then finished. - To finish a work, in Hebrew conception, is to cease from it, to have done with it. "On the seventh day." The seventh day is distinguished from all the preceding days by being itself the subject of the narrative. In the absence of any work on this day, the Eternal is occupied with the day itself, and does four things in reference to it. First, he ceased from his work which he had made. Secondly, he rested. By this was indicated that his undertaking was accomplished. When nothing more remains to be done, the purposing agent rests contented. The resting of God arises not from weariness, but from the completion of his task.
Key words
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And on the seventh day God ended his work, which he had made,.
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And on the seventh day God ended his work, which he had made,.
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And on the seventh day God ended his work, which he had made,.
Context in Genesis 2
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Genesis 2 belongs to the early 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.
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A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.