Genesis - Chapter 1: The Creation
Scripture Text
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
Primary Commentary
This opening verse establishes God as the creator of all things. The Hebrew word 'bara' used here indicates creation from nothing, emphasizing God's absolute power and sovereignty over all creation. The phrase 'formless and empty' (tohu wabohu) describes the earth's initial state before God's creative work brought order and purpose.