Genesis 1:16

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also.

And God {H430} made {H6213} two {H8147} great {H1419} lights {H3974}; the greater {H1419} light {H3974} to rule {H4475} the day {H3117}, and the lesser {H6996} light {H3974} to rule {H4475} the night {H3915}: he made the stars {H3556} also.

God made the two great lights β€” the larger light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night β€” and the stars.

God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well.

And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he madethe stars also.

Commentary

Genesis 1:16 describes the fourth day of creation, where God establishes the celestial bodies to govern the day and night. This verse is central to understanding God's orderly design and purpose for the cosmos.

Context

This verse follows God's creation of light and separation of light from darkness on the first day of creation, and the formation of the firmament on the second. On the fourth day, as detailed in Genesis 1:14-15, God commands the existence of luminaries in the expanse of the heavens. Verse 16 then confirms the fulfillment of this command, emphasizing God's active role as the maker of these "great lights" and "the stars also."

Key Themes

  • Divine Authorship: The phrase "And God made" powerfully asserts God as the sole Creator of the sun, moon, and stars. These are not deities to be worshipped, but creations of the one true God.
  • Order and Purpose: The celestial bodies are not random but serve specific functions: "the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night." This highlights God's intentional design for cosmic order, providing light, marking seasons, days, and years, as mentioned in Genesis 1:14.
  • Sovereignty Over Creation: By assigning the sun and moon their roles, God demonstrates His absolute control and sovereignty over all creation. Even the vastness of the heavens operates under His command.
  • Inclusion of Stars: The seemingly simple addition, "he made the stars also," underscores the completeness of God's creative work, encompassing not just the prominent sun and moon but the innumerable distant stars, emphasizing His immense power and attention to detail.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "lights" in this context is ma'orot (ΧžΧΧ•Χ¨Χ•Χͺ), which refers to luminaries or light-bearers. It's significant that the text does not use the common Hebrew names for the sun (shemesh) and moon (yareakh) directly. This linguistic choice is often interpreted as a deliberate avoidance of terms that were associated with pagan deity worship in ancient Near Eastern cultures, reinforcing that these celestial bodies are merely creations, not gods. They are functionally "lights" and "rulers" appointed by God.

Practical Application

Genesis 1:16 reminds us that our universe is not a product of chance but the deliberate, purposeful work of an intelligent Creator. This understanding should inspire awe and worship. Just as the sun, moon, and stars fulfill their God-given purposes, we too are called to live purposeful lives in submission to our Maker. The consistent rhythm of day and night, ruled by these lights, is a constant testament to God's faithfulness and the enduring order He established in creation. Indeed, the heavens declare the glory of God.

This verse also points forward to a future reality where these created lights may no longer be necessary, as described in Revelation 21:23, where God Himself will be the light of the New Jerusalem.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 136:7 (9 votes)

    To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

  • Psalms 136:9 (9 votes)

    The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Deuteronomy 4:19 (8 votes)

    And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

  • Psalms 8:3 (6 votes)

    ΒΆ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

  • Isaiah 40:26 (5 votes)

    Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth.

  • Psalms 74:16 (5 votes)

    The day [is] thine, the night also [is] thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

  • Psalms 148:5 (5 votes)

    Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.