Genesis 1:6

KJV

¶ And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} said {H559}, Let there be a firmament {H7549} in the midst {H8432} of the waters {H4325}, and let it divide {H914} the waters {H4325} from the waters {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the water; let it divide the water from the water.”

Berean Standard Bible

And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.”

American Standard Version

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 1:6 presents God's majestic decree on the second day of creation, bringing into existence the "firmament" or expanse. Through His powerful spoken word, God meticulously separates the pre-existing primordial waters, establishing distinct realms within the nascent cosmos. This foundational act of divine division is crucial for transforming an undifferentiated watery mass into a structured, ordered, and ultimately life-sustaining world, profoundly showcasing God's meticulous design, sovereign power, and purposeful intent for His creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the beginning of the second day of creation, following God's initial act of bringing light into existence and separating it from darkness on day one, as detailed in [Genesis 1:3-5](/genesis/1-3-5 "God creates light and separates it from darkness"). The narrative of Genesis 1 unfolds as a structured, seven-day account of God bringing order to a "formless and void" earth ([Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "The earth's initial state: formless and void")). After establishing light and time, God's next deliberate step is to impose spatial structure by creating a division within the ubiquitous waters. This act of separation on day two sets the stage for the emergence of dry land, vegetation, and living creatures in the subsequent days, building systematically towards a fully habitable world, as described throughout [the entire creation account in Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "The full creation account of Genesis 1").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, various creation myths often depicted creation as a struggle between deities or a chaotic, spontaneous event. The Genesis account, in stark contrast, portrays a singular, sovereign God who creates effortlessly through His word. The concept of "waters" (Hebrew *mayim*) in ancient cosmologies often represented primordial chaos or an undifferentiated mass. God's act of dividing these waters and establishing a "firmament" (Hebrew *raqiaʻ*) would have been understood by the original audience as a powerful demonstration of divine order triumphing over potential chaos, establishing a stable and predictable cosmos. While some ancient worldviews might have conceived of a literal, solid dome, the biblical text's emphasis is on the functional separation that allows for a habitable atmosphere and a regulated water cycle, preparing the earth for life.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 1:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, where God's spoken word alone is sufficient to bring complex structures into being, highlighting His absolute control over creation. It also underscores **Order out of Chaos**, as God systematically transforms a "formless and void" world into a highly organized and functional cosmos. The act of "dividing" introduces the theme of **Distinction and Separation**, a principle that recurs throughout Scripture, not only in creation but also in God's relationship with humanity, separating the holy from the common and His people for His purposes. Finally, this verse is a crucial step in the theme of **Preparation for Life**, as the establishment of the firmament and the division of waters are necessary precursors for the emergence of dry land, vegetation, and living creatures in the subsequent days of creation, demonstrating God's purposeful design for a world teeming with life, as seen in [the creation of living creatures](/genesis/1-20-25 "God creates sea creatures, birds, and land animals").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun, used with a singular verb, refers to the supreme God, the Creator. It emphasizes His majesty, power, and comprehensive authority over all creation. The use of this term immediately establishes the divine origin and nature of the creative acts.
* **firmament (Hebrew, _râqîyaʻ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to stamp," "to spread out," or "to hammer out," this term describes an expanse. While sometimes interpreted as a solid dome in ancient cosmologies, in the context of Genesis 1, it refers to the atmospheric heavens—the sky—which provides a breathable space and separates the lower waters from the upper. It signifies a vast, spread-out space rather than a rigid structure.
* **divide (Hebrew, _bâdal'_):** This primitive root means "to separate," "distinguish," or "differ." In this verse, it denotes God's purposeful act of establishing distinct realms within the primordial waters. This act of division is not arbitrary but is essential for creating the conditions necessary for life, transforming an undifferentiated mass into an ordered system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God said,"**: This recurring phrase, appearing ten times in the creation account, powerfully emphasizes the effortless and authoritative nature of divine creation. It signifies that creation is not a laborious process or a product of chance, but an immediate and omnipotent act of God's spoken word, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and power over all things.
* **"Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters,"**: This command reveals God's intention to bring spatial order to the formless earth. The "firmament" (sky/atmosphere) is created *within* the existing primordial waters, indicating that God is organizing and differentiating pre-existing material, not necessarily creating *ex nihilo* (out of nothing) at this specific point, but rather imposing structure and boundaries.
* **"and let it divide the waters from the waters."**: This clause states the primary purpose of the firmament: to establish a clear separation. This refers to the distinction between the "waters below" the firmament (which would later coalesce into seas and oceans on day three) and the "waters above" the firmament (commonly understood as clouds, vapor, and precipitation, forming the earth's weather system). This division is a foundational act necessary for the subsequent creation of dry land and the sustenance of life on earth.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 1:6 employs several literary techniques to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Divine Fiat**, exemplified by the repeated phrase "And God said." This rhetorical device underscores God's absolute authority and the immediate, effortless efficacy of His word in creation. The universe comes into being not through struggle or effort, but by divine command. **Repetition** is also evident in the phrase "the waters from the waters," which emphasizes the precise and deliberate nature of the separation. This repetition highlights the establishment of two distinct bodies of water, one above and one below the firmament. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Progression and Order**, as it builds upon the initial act of creation (light) by introducing a new, more complex layer of spatial organization, showcasing God's systematic and purposeful design.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 1:6 profoundly reveals God as a God of meticulous order, not chaos. He systematically brings structure and boundaries to the cosmos, demonstrating His wisdom and foresight in preparing a habitable environment. This act of creation underscores the absolute power and efficacy of God's spoken word, which effortlessly brings about His will.

* [Psalm 33:6](/psalm/33-6 "The heavens made by the word of the Lord") - "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "God's word accomplishes its purpose") - "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2-corinthians/6-17 "Call to separation from the world") - "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 1:6 invites us to marvel at the divine wisdom that brings order out of chaos, not only in the cosmos but also in our personal lives. Just as God separated the waters to create distinct environments, He is able to bring clarity, purpose, and structure to our confused circumstances and inner turmoil. We are called to trust in His sovereign control and the powerful efficacy of His word to establish beauty and order, even when our lives may feel formless or void. The intricate design of the world, from the vastness of the atmosphere to the precise balance of the water cycle, stands as a constant testament to His wisdom and creative power, inviting us to live in awe of His majesty and to seek His order in our own spheres of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's act of "dividing" in creation speak to His character and His work in our lives today?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need God to bring order out of chaos, similar to His work in Genesis 1:6?**
* **How does the effortless power of God's spoken word in creation encourage your faith in His ability to accomplish His will in your circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What is the "firmament" mentioned in Genesis 1:6?**

Answer: The "firmament" (Hebrew *raqiaʻ*) refers to the expanse or atmosphere—the sky. It is the space created by God to separate the waters above (understood as clouds, vapor, and atmospheric moisture) from the waters below (the oceans and seas on the earth's surface). It is the breathable atmosphere where birds would later fly and where celestial bodies would be placed.

**Does this verse imply a solid dome over the earth?**

Answer: While the root meaning of *raqiaʻ* can suggest something hammered out or solid, the broader biblical context and the progression of creation indicate an expansive, atmospheric space rather than a literal solid dome. For instance, [Genesis 1:20](/genesis/1-20 "God creates birds to fly in the firmament") states that birds fly "in the open firmament of heaven," which clearly points to a non-solid, atmospheric space. Therefore, it is best understood as the sky or atmosphere.

**Why was this division of waters necessary?**

Answer: This division was crucial for creating a habitable environment. By separating the waters, God established the atmospheric conditions necessary for life, allowing for the formation of dry land on day three ([Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9-10 "Gathering of waters and appearance of dry land")) and enabling the regulated water cycle essential for vegetation and all living creatures. It was a foundational step in preparing the earth to sustain complex ecosystems.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 1:6 does not explicitly mention Christ, it powerfully reveals Him as the active agent of creation. The New Testament unequivocally affirms that [all things were created through Him and for Him](/colossians/1-16 "Christ as the Creator of all things"), identifying Jesus as the very Word of God through whom the cosmos was spoken into existence. Therefore, the authoritative command "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters" is not merely God the Father's voice, but the very voice of the pre-incarnate Christ, bringing order, structure, and life to a formless world. Just as He brought order out of cosmic chaos, He continues to bring order out of spiritual chaos, making Him the ultimate source of a [new creation where old things pass away and all things become new](/2-corinthians/5-17 "The new creation in Christ"). He is the one who separates light from darkness, truth from error, and His redeemed people from the world, fulfilling the divine principle of distinction established at creation.

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.

Cross-References

Job 37:18

Hast thou with him spread out the sky, [which is] strong, [and] as a molten looking glass?

Job 26:7

He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing.

Job 26:8

He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

Psalms 33:6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Jeremiah 51:15

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

Jeremiah 10:12

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Jeremiah 10:13

When he uttereth his voice, [there is] a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.