King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
Complete Jewish Bible:
God made the dome and divided the water under the dome from the water above the dome; that is how it was,
Berean Standard Bible:
So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so.
American Standard Version:
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And God{H430} made{H6213} the firmament{H7549}, and divided{H914} the waters{H4325} which{H834} were under{H8478} the firmament{H7549} from the waters{H4325} which{H834} were above{H5921} the firmament{H7549}: and it was so{H3651}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 148:4
- Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that [be] above the heavens.
Proverbs 8:28
- When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Proverbs 8:29
- When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Matthew 8:27
- But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Genesis 1:9
- ¶ 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.
Job 38:8
- Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb?
Job 38:11
- And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 1:7
Genesis 1:7 is part of the creation narrative 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 describes the second day of creation, according to the text.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Order and Separation:** The verse emphasizes God's act of bringing order to chaos by separating different elements of creation. The firmament, or expanse, is created to divide the waters, effectively creating space and structure within the cosmos.
2. **Cosmology:** The verse reflects an ancient cosmology, where the earth is understood to be covered by a dome-like firmament that holds back the waters above, preventing them from flooding the earth. This was a common understanding of the structure of the world in ancient cultures.
3. **Divine Power:** The simple statement "and it was so" underscores the theme of God's omnipotence, where the divine will is enacted without resistance or effort.
**Historical Context:**
- **Ancient Near Eastern Background:** The creation account in Genesis shares similarities with other ancient Near Eastern creation myths, which also involve the division of waters and the establishment of cosmic order out of a primordial chaos.
- **Priestly Source:** Scholars often attribute the creation account in Genesis 1 to the Priestly source (P), one of the four source documents hypothesized to comprise the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). This source is characterized by a structured, formulaic style and a focus on the cosmic order and the role of the priesthood.
- **Monotheism:** The text serves to assert the power and uniqueness of the Hebrew God, Yahweh, as the sole creator of the universe, contrasting with the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding cultures.
In summary, Genesis 1:7 reflects themes of divine order, an ancient understanding of cosmology, and the power of God, set within the context of ancient Near Eastern thought and the distinct monotheistic tradition of the Israelites.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - 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. - Strong's Number: H914
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּדַל
Transliteration: bâdal
Pronunciation: baw-dal'
Description: a primitive root; to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.); (make, put) difference, divide (asunder), (make) separate (self, -ation), sever (out), [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H834
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲשֶׁר
Transliteration: ʼăsher
Pronunciation: ash-er'
Description: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.; [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. - Strong's Number: H8478
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תַּחַת
Transliteration: tachath
Pronunciation: takh'-ath
Description: from the same as תּוֹחַ; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.; as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. - Strong's Number: H5921
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַל
Transliteration: ʻal
Pronunciation: al
Description: properly, the same as עַל used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications; above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. - Strong's Number: H3651
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֵּן
Transliteration: kên
Pronunciation: kane
Description: from כּוּן; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles); [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you.