Genesis 1:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

Complete Jewish Bible:

God put them in the dome of the sky to give light to the earth,

Berean Standard Bible:

God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth,

American Standard Version:

And God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And God^{H430} set^{H5414} them in the firmament^{H7549} of the heaven^{H8064} to give light^{H215} upon the earth^{H776},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 1:17

Genesis 1:17 is part of the creation narrative found in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, which is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. This verse is situated within the context of the fourth day of creation, according to the biblical account.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Order and Purpose:** The verse reflects the theme of divine order, as God methodically creates elements of the universe and assigns them specific roles. The setting of the lights in the firmament emphasizes God's intentional design for the cosmos.
2. **Functionality of Creation:** The lights (the sun, moon, and stars) are given a clear function—to separate day from night and to provide light upon the earth. This underscores the idea that creation serves practical purposes in the divine plan.
3. **Celestial Bodies as Signs:** Although not explicitly stated in verse 17, the broader context of Genesis 1:14-18 suggests that the celestial bodies are also meant to serve as signs for seasons, days, and years, indicating their role in the regulation of time and potentially in divine communication.

**Historical Context:**
The Book of Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was likely composed between the 10th and 5th centuries BCE. It serves as an introduction to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and addresses questions of origins, the nature of God, and the relationship between God and the world.

During the time of its writing, various ancient Near Eastern creation myths were in circulation, such as the Enuma Elish from Babylon. These myths often involved a struggle between deities representing chaos and order. In contrast, the Genesis account portrays a single, sovereign God who creates by spoken word, emphasizing monotheism and the goodness of creation.

The verse reflects an ancient understanding of the cosmos, with a three-tiered universe consisting of the earth, the firmament (an expanse or vault that holds the celestial bodies), and the heavens or waters above the firmament. This cosmology aligns with the contemporary scientific understanding of the universe, reflecting a geocentric worldview common in the ancient world.

In summary, Genesis 1:17 is part of a foundational text that establishes themes of divine order, purpose, and the functionality of creation within the context of an ancient Near Eastern worldview. It serves to articulate the Israelite understanding of God as the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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).
   
5. 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.
   
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.