Genesis 1:6

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

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."

Context

Genesis 1:6 marks the beginning of the second day of creation, following God's initial act of creating light and separating it from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5). Before this verse, the earth is described as "without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2). The world is essentially a watery expanse, and this verse details God's next step in bringing order and structure to this primordial state. It sets the stage for the creation of dry land and living creatures.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Separation: This verse highlights God's systematic approach to creation, moving from chaos to order. He doesn't just create; He organizes and separates, establishing distinct realms within the universe. This act of division is crucial for the habitability of the earth.
  • The Firmament: God commands the creation of a "firmament," which is an expanse or space. This firmament serves as a division between the waters that were already present. It is the atmospheric heavens, the sky, where birds would later fly and where the sun, moon, and stars would be placed on the fourth day.
  • Division of Waters: The firmament's primary purpose is to separate "the waters from the waters." This refers to distinguishing between the waters on the earth's surface (which would eventually form seas and oceans) and the waters above the firmament (often understood as clouds, precipitation, or a celestial reservoir of water).
  • God's Spoken Word: Once again, creation is accomplished through God's powerful declaration: "And God said." This emphasizes that creation is not a struggle or a laborious process, but an effortless act of divine will and omnipotent word spoken into existence.

Linguistic Insights

The key Hebrew word in this verse is raqia (רָקִיעַ), translated as "firmament" in the KJV. The root of raqia means "to stamp," "to spread out," or "to hammer out" (like thin metal). While some ancient interpretations, influenced by ancient Near Eastern cosmology, understood this as a solid, hammered-out dome, modern understanding often interprets raqia as an "expanse" or "atmosphere." This aligns with the context of creating the sky or heavens, an expansive space that divides the waters and provides breathable air and weather patterns for life below.

Practical Application

Genesis 1:6 reminds us that God is a God of order and design. He brings structure to chaos, not just in the cosmos, but also in our lives. Just as He separated the waters to create distinct environments, He can bring clarity and purpose to confused situations. This verse encourages us to trust in His sovereign control and the power of His word to establish order and beauty, even in the midst of what seems formless or void. It invites us to appreciate the intricate design of the natural world, from the atmosphere above to the waters below, as a testament to His wisdom and creative power.

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Cross-References

  • Job 37:18 (14 votes)

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

  • Job 26:7 (14 votes)

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

  • Job 26:8 (14 votes)

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

  • Psalms 33:6 (13 votes)

    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 (13 votes)

    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 (11 votes)

    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 (11 votes)

    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.