Genesis 1:19

KJV

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the evening {H6153} and the morning {H1242} were the fourth {H7243} day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So there was evening, and there was morning, a fourth day.

Berean Standard Bible

And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

American Standard Version

And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 1:19 concludes the fourth day of creation, marking the divine establishment of the celestial luminaries and solidifying the precise, rhythmic unfolding of God's creative week. This verse, with its consistent "evening and morning" refrain, underscores the Creator's meticulous order, His sovereign control over the fabric of time, and the purposeful progression of His cosmic design, setting an immutable pattern for all subsequent existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 1:19 functions as the concluding refrain for the fourth day of creation, mirroring the pattern established from the very first day (e.g., [Genesis 1:5](/genesis/1-5 "Genesis 1:5 - The First Day")). It follows the detailed account in [Genesis 1:14-18](/genesis/1-14-18 "Genesis 1:14-18 - Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Stars") where God creates the sun, moon, and stars. These celestial bodies are explicitly assigned roles: to separate day from night, serve as signs for seasons, days, and years, and to give light upon the earth. The consistent formula "And there was evening, and there was morning—the X day" emphasizes the sequential, structured, and completed nature of each creative act within the broader narrative of [God's creation week](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, many creation myths depicted chaotic origins and deified celestial bodies. Genesis 1 stands in stark contrast, presenting a singular, transcendent God who speaks creation into existence with order and purpose. The Hebrew reckoning of a day, beginning at sunset, is reflected in the phrase "evening and morning." This was a common practice in ancient Israel, influencing their calendar and liturgical cycles. The precise numbering of days (first, second, third, fourth, etc.) further distinguishes the biblical account from cyclical or indefinite cosmologies, asserting a linear, purposeful, and finite progression of creation.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 1:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the chapter and book. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Order and Design**, showcasing God's meticulous arrangement of the cosmos, where even the celestial bodies are placed with specific functions ([Genesis 1:14](/genesis/1-14 "Genesis 1:14 - Purpose of the Lights")). It powerfully affirms **God's Sovereignty over Time**, demonstrating that time itself is a created dimension, subject to His decree, rather than an independent force. The repetitive "evening and morning" formula also strongly supports the theme of the **Literal Nature of Creation Days**, laying the groundwork for the Sabbath principle and the weekly rhythm of work and rest established in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Sabbath Commandment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **evening (Hebrew, _ʻereb'_):** From H6153, meaning "dusk," "even(-ing, tide)," or "night." This word, consistently paired with "morning," denotes the beginning of the Hebrew day, which commenced at sunset. Its inclusion emphasizes the completeness of a full diurnal cycle, from the onset of darkness to the arrival of light, reinforcing the concept of a defined, measurable period.
* **morning (Hebrew, _bôqer'_):** From H1242, properly meaning "dawn (as the break of day)," and generally "morning." This term signifies the culmination of the night period and the start of the light portion of the day. Together with "evening," it forms a merism, encompassing the entirety of a 24-hour period, underscoring the literal and sequential nature of God's creative work.
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From H3117, meaning "a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term)." In the context of Genesis 1, with the consistent "evening and morning" refrain and ordinal numbering, _yôwm_ unequivocally refers to a literal, 24-hour period, establishing the fundamental unit of time for creation and subsequent human existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the evening and the morning":** This phrase serves as the consistent temporal marker for each day of creation. It reflects the ancient Hebrew method of reckoning a day from sunset to sunset, signifying a complete cycle of darkness and light. Its repetition for each day underscores the chronological and sequential nature of God's creative acts, emphasizing that each "day" was a distinct, bounded period.
* **"were":** The simple past tense verb, derived from the Hebrew _hayah_ (to be, to become), denotes the completion and establishment of this specific creative period. It is a declarative statement of accomplished fact, emphasizing the divine efficacy and intentionality behind each step of creation. God speaks, and it *is*—His will perfectly executed, His design fully realized.
* **"the fourth day":** This specific ordinal number marks the progression and distinctiveness of God's creative acts within the week. On this day, the celestial bodies were set in place, not only to provide light but also "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years" ([Genesis 1:14](/genesis/1-14 "Genesis 1:14 - Purpose of the Lights")). The numbering reinforces the systematic, purposeful, and finite nature of God's creation week, indicating that creation was a structured process leading to a definite conclusion, rather than an ongoing, chaotic event. It also sets the stage for the Sabbath principle, where God's work is completed within a defined period.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Genesis 1:19, and indeed throughout the creation account, is **Repetition**. The consistent refrain "And there was evening, and there was morning—the X day" serves as a structural marker, providing a rhythmic cadence to the narrative. This repetition emphasizes the orderly and systematic nature of God's creative process, highlighting His control and the distinct completion of each stage. Furthermore, it functions as a form of **Anaphora**, where the same phrase begins or concludes successive clauses or paragraphs, creating a powerful sense of progression and reinforcing the literal, sequential understanding of the creation days. The phrase itself, "evening and morning," is a **Merism**, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole, effectively signifying a complete 24-hour period.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 1:19, in its concise declaration, powerfully reinforces the theological truths woven throughout the creation narrative. It underscores God's character as a God of profound order, not chaos, whose every act is purposeful and meticulously planned. By establishing the celestial bodies and marking the passage of time, God demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the very fabric of time itself. This verse, along with the entire sequence of creation days, lays the foundational understanding for a literal, historical creation week, which is crucial for comprehending the biblical chronology and the subsequent institution of the Sabbath as a divine pattern for humanity's rhythm of work and rest.

* [Psalm 19:1-2](/psalms/19-1-2 "Psalm 19:1-2 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Sabbath Commandment")
* [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 1:19 invites us to pause and reflect on the profound order and unwavering faithfulness of our Creator. In a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty, this verse reminds us that God meticulously ordered the cosmos and established the unyielding rhythms of day and night. This divine order provides a profound sense of security and purpose, encouraging us to trust in His sovereign control over our own lives. Every sunrise and sunset serves as a daily testament to His enduring power and His consistent provision, calling us to steward our time as a precious gift from His hand. We are invited to find peace and rest within the divine structures He has ordained, recognizing that our lives, like the cosmos, are part of His purposeful design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the consistent pattern of "evening and morning" in Genesis 1 shape your understanding of God's character and His approach to creation?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God's sovereignty over time (as seen in the creation of day and night) impact how you view and manage your own time?**
* **How can reflecting on the meticulous order of creation on the fourth day bring you comfort or challenge in areas of your life that feel chaotic?**
* **What practical steps can you take to align your daily rhythms more closely with the divine order established in creation, particularly regarding work and rest?**

### FAQ
**Does "the fourth day" imply a literal 24-hour period, or a longer epoch?**

Answer: This is a key interpretive point for many. The consistent use of the phrase "evening and morning" (Hebrew: *erev* and *boker*), combined with the ordinal numbering ("first day," "second day," "third day," etc.), strongly indicates a literal, sequential 24-hour period for each creative day. This pattern establishes a foundational rhythm for time that culminates in the Sabbath, as seen in [Exodus 20:11](/exodus/20-11 "Exodus 20:11 - God Rested on the Seventh Day"), where God's six days of creation are explicitly paralleled to the six days of human labor before the Sabbath rest. This understanding is consistent with the ancient Hebrew reckoning of a day and the straightforward reading of the text.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The precise ordering of the cosmos on the fourth day, culminating in the establishment of the celestial lights, points directly to Christ as the divine orchestrator and sustainer of all creation. The Apostle John declares that "all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - Jesus as Creator")), affirming that the Son was intimately involved in every act of creation, including the setting of the sun, moon, and stars. Just as the physical lights were appointed to govern and give light, Christ Himself is revealed as the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who illuminates spiritual darkness and brings order to chaotic lives. His coming brought the ultimate light of truth and grace into a world shrouded in sin, fulfilling the purpose of light not merely physically, but spiritually, initiating a new creation in those who believe, as [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ") proclaims. He is the one who upholds the universe by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")), ensuring the continued order and function of the very cosmos He established on the fourth day.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.