Genesis 1:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Berean Standard Bible:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

American Standard Version:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

In the beginning{H7225} God{H430} created{H1254}{H853} the heaven{H8064} and{H853} the earth{H776}.

Cross-References (KJV):

John 1:1

  • ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:3

  • All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Hebrews 11:3

  • Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Isaiah 45:18

  • For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.

Revelation 4:11

  • Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Hebrews 1:10

  • And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Isaiah 42:5

  • ¶ Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

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Commentary for Genesis 1:1

**Themes:**
- Creation: The verse declares the act of creation by God as the origin of the universe.
- Divine Omnipotence: It underscores God's absolute power and sovereignty as the creator of all things.
- Monotheism: The singular form of "God" (Elohim in Hebrew) emphasizes the belief in one God.
- Ex Nihilo Creation: The implication is that God created the universe out of nothing.

**Historical Context:**
- Genesis 1:1 is part of the Priestly source (P) in the Documentary Hypothesis, which is one of the proposed sources for the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). This source is thought to have been compiled during or after the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE).
- The verse serves as an introduction to the Priestly account of creation, which is distinct from the Yahwist account that follows in Genesis 2.
- The creation narrative in Genesis 1 reflects a structured, orderly process, possibly in contrast to the chaotic creation myths of surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures.
- The verse sets the stage for the biblical narrative, establishing a theological foundation for the relationship between God, the cosmos, and humanity.

In essence, Genesis 1:1 is a succinct yet profound statement that has shaped Judeo-Christian understanding of the origin of the universe and the nature of God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H7225
    There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רֵאשִׁית
    Transliteration: rêʼshîyth
    Pronunciation: ray-sheeth'
    Description: from the same as רֹאשׁ; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit); beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
  2. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
  3. Strong's Number: H1254
    There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּרָא
    Transliteration: bârâʼ
    Pronunciation: baw-raw'
    Description: a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes); choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat).
  4. Strong's Number: H853
    There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֵת
    Transliteration: ʼêth
    Pronunciation: ayth
    Description: apparent contracted from אוֹת in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely); (as such unrepresented in English).
  5. Strong's Number: H8064
    There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַיִם
    Transliteration: shâmayim
    Pronunciation: shaw-mah'-yim
    Description: dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve); air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s).
  6. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.