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Book of Genesis - Chapter 1 - Verse 5

1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Meaning

In this verse, God establishes the concept of time by naming the light Day and the darkness Night. This marks the beginning of the first day of creation. By separating light from darkness and giving them distinct names, God sets the pattern for the cycle of day and night that we experience each day. The phrase "And the evening and the morning were the first day" signifies the completion of one full day according to God's divine timing. This verse highlights God's power and authority to create order out of chaos and to establish the framework for the natural world. It also emphasizes the importance of time as a fundamental aspect of God's creation, laying the foundation for the rest of the story of creation to unfold.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the creation account in Genesis 1:5, God separates light from darkness and names them Day and Night respectively. The act of naming in the Bible is significant as it signifies authority and dominion. By naming these elements, God shows His power over creation and establishes order in the universe. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the duality of light and dark, good and evil, and how God brings order out of chaos. The word "Day" in Hebrew is "yom," which can mean a literal day or a period of time. Similarly, "Night" is translated from the Hebrew word "layil," representing the time when darkness falls. The phrase "evening and morning" in this verse not only denotes the passage of a day but also symbolizes the cycle of creation, renewal, and order in the world. Overall, this verse showcases God's sovereignty over creation and sets the stage for the following days of creation where He continues to mold and shape the world.

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