Day 1 : Light
In Genesis 1:3 Notice that YHWH created light but he didn’t create the sun and the stars until Genesis 1:13. The original word for “light” referenced in Genesis 1:3 is Or (Lexicon Study H216). This is the same light that Israel had with the last plague in Exodus 10:23 (but all the children of Israel had light H216 in their dwellings.)
אוֹר ʼôwr, ore; from H215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):—bright, clear, day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
Day 2 : Firmament
Most translations rather use an expanse, and then with footnotes will add “firmament”. In english, an expanse just sounds like the sky, something that is not visible. The Hebrew word is H7549 – rāqîaʿ, meaning an extended solid surface, a base for support. The Scriptures then says, this firmament (Raqia) then seperates the waters below from above. If water is physical, this Firmament is also something physical. From creation we are given these explanations and clues about who the Creator of Heaven and Earth is, and about His Creation. Later in Psalm 66 we will look at more clues and the Hebrew explanation of the word Heaven and Waters.
Interestingly, the earth, heaven and waters were already there. On day 2, YHWH created the firmament to split the waters, to make this opening (expanse) between earth and heaven.
Day 4 : Appointed Times
On day 3, the waters gathered together so the land became visible, and on it the vegetation grew. All this happened before the sun, moon and stars were set in place on Day 4. Light existed on Day 1, before the sun and moon.
Interestingly, Isaiah and John prophesy that at the end of age, with the New Jerusalem, there will be no more sun and moon again. We read this in Isaiah 60:19-20, Revelation 21:23, and Revelation 22:5. “No longer will you have the sun for light by day, Nor for brightness will the moon give you light; But you will have Yahweh for an everlasting light, And your God for your glory. Your sun will no longer set, Nor will your moon wane; For you will have Yahweh for an everlasting light, And the days of your mourning will be finished.” “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
Here in Genesis 1:14 we read the purpose of the sun, moon and stars. For Signs, Seasons, and to recognize days, (months) and years. The Hebrew word for moon are used interchangably for month. It renews about every 28 days, allowing for about 12 months a year. Later in Scripture we will look into more details on the month cycles. The sun allows us to recognize day from night, as well as when the seasons change from Spring to Autumn. In Scripture, Spring is used to start the new year. The stars are used for signs – we will also look more into the stars later in Scripture.
The Hebrew word for seasons, is not just the Spring to Autumn seasons. The word is Moedim H4150 – môʿēḏ, meaning “Appointed Time or Place”. YHWH have since the beginning setup certain “Meetings” or “Appointments”. The sun, moon and stars are given to us like a Scheduler, a clock, an appointment book. The very first appointment He sets in place, is on the 7th day with Sabbath Rest. Later in Scripture He reveals the other appointments that He wants His people to keep. Each appointment is not just time wasted, but carry deep spiritual meanings.
Day 7 : Sabbath
Very rarely will Bible translations today use the word Sabbath. But if you see the word “Rest”, it will be the Hebrew word “Sabbath” H7673 – šāḇaṯ, meaning to stop working, to rest and celebrate. Not only does YHWH cease and celebrates His work, but He makes this an everlasting, forever Instruction for everyone. We read in Exodus 31:16-17, “So the sons of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant. It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”
At the end of Scriptures, in Revelation we read about the antichrist also having a mark, a sign to identify those who belong to him. But since Creation, YHWH has set the very first law, a way of identifying those who belong to Him, those who keep His Sabbath.
Garden of Eden
In verse 10 we also read that a river went out from Eden, and divided into four rivers. This indicates that Eden was higher up, like a mountain, from where the water originated. Later in Scriptures we will learn how amazing the meaning of Water is. We will also see the source of this water revealed in the new testament, and in the New Heaven and Earth, where Eden will be restored.
The Hebrew word for Eden H5731 – ʿēḏen, means “Pleasure”. A place of delight. In the video below, some interesting points are made about Eden not just being a “garden”, and Adam is not just a “gardener” or keeper. The meaning to Eden goes much deeper.
