Genesis 1:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and let them be for lights in the dome of the sky to give light to the earth”; and that is how it was.

Berean Standard Bible:

And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so.

American Standard Version:

and let them be for lights in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And let them be for lights^{H3974} in the firmament^{H7549} of the heaven^{H8064} to give light^{H215} upon the earth^{H776}: and it was so.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 1:15

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Order and Creation:** The verse reflects the theme of God's sovereignty and order in creation, as He designates the purpose of celestial bodies.
- **Purpose and Function:** It emphasizes the functional design of the universe, with celestial lights created to serve specific roles, particularly to illuminate the earth.
- **Separation of Day and Night:** The placement of lights in the firmament contributes to the demarcation between day and night, a foundational aspect of the created world's order.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Priestly Account:** Genesis 1 is part of the Priestly (P) source within the Torah, characterized by a structured, orderly account of creation, reflecting the concerns of priestly writers.
- **Ancient Cosmology:** The description aligns with ancient Near Eastern cosmology, where the "firmament" is understood as a solid dome holding back the waters above (Genesis 1:6-8).
- **Monotheistic Perspective:** In contrast to polytheistic creation narratives, Genesis 1 presents a monotheistic view where a single God creates and commands the cosmos.
- **Literary Framework:** The verse is part of a larger literary framework that uses repetition and the number seven to structure the creation account, emphasizing completion and perfection.

This verse is part of the first chapter of Genesis, which describes the creation of the world in seven days. It is a foundational text in Judaism and Christianity, setting the stage for the understanding of God's relationship with the world and the orderliness of creation.

*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: H3974
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָאוֹר
   Transliteration: mâʼôwr
   Pronunciation: maw-ore'
   Description: or מָאֹר; also (in plural) feminine מְאוֹרָה; or מְאֹרָה; from אוֹר; properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively, brightness, i.e.cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier; bright, light.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7549
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָקִיעַ
   Transliteration: râqîyaʻ
   Pronunciation: raw-kee'-ah
   Description: from רָקַע; properly, an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky; firmament.
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H215
   There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹר
   Transliteration: ʼôwr
   Pronunciation: ore
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically); [idiom] break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine.
   
5. 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.