Genesis 1:5

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

And God {H430} called {H7121} the light {H216} Day {H3117}, and the darkness {H2822} he called {H7121} Night {H3915}. And the evening {H6153} and the morning {H1242} were the first {H259} day {H3117}.

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. So there was evening, and there was morning, one day.

God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Commentary

Genesis 1:5 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical account of creation, defining the initial cycle of time as established by God. Following the separation of light from darkness, this verse names these fundamental elements and establishes the framework for the first "day" of creation. It sets the rhythm for all subsequent days described in the chapter.

Context

This verse follows God's initial acts of creating the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) and commanding "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). Having separated the light from the darkness in verse 4, verse 5 describes God giving names to these states and establishing the concept of a day defined by an evening and a morning. This is the foundational step in God's ordering of creation, moving from formlessness to structure.

Key Themes

  • God's Authority and Naming: The act of naming the light and darkness demonstrates God's sovereign authority over His creation. To name something in this context is to define its purpose and place.
  • Definition of "Day": The verse explicitly defines the first "day" not as a moment, but as a cycle encompassing both evening and morning. This establishes the pattern for the six days of creation that follow.
  • The Rhythm of Time: God institutes the fundamental cycle of day and night, a pattern crucial for life and order on Earth, highlighting His reliable covenant with the cycles of time.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "day" is yom (יוֹם). While yom can sometimes refer to a longer period or an indefinite time, the phrase "the evening and the morning were the first day" strongly suggests a literal 24-hour period in this context. The words for "evening" (‘ereb - עֶרֶב) and "morning" (boqer - בֹקֶר) further reinforce the idea of a standard day cycle. The structure "evening and morning" indicates the Jewish reckoning of a day starting at sunset.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God is the author of time and order. He set the fundamental rhythm of our lives – the cycle of work and rest, activity and stillness. Recognizing God's design in the simple pattern of day and night can bring a sense of peace and structure. It highlights that even the basic elements of our existence are purposed and defined by Him. It also sets the stage for understanding the duration and deliberate nature of the creation process described in the subsequent days of creation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Psalms 74:16

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

  • Isaiah 45:7

    I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:5

    Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

  • Psalms 104:20

    Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep [forth].

  • Genesis 8:22

    While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

  • Psalms 19:2

    Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 33:20

    Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;