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NASB | Genesis 1:3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. |
Bible Question: What are the differences between Gen 1:3 and Gen 1:15? |
Bible Answer: Hi SHST, What are the differences between Gen 1:3 and Gen 1:15? On the face of these scriptures there seems to be a contradiction. However, they are in harmony. It is necessary to understand, however, the correct sequence of events and not to misread what is actually being said. 1. – “In the beginning” is that period of time BEFORE the first day and stretches back into eternity when there was God and the Word (John 1:1-3). The first day did not begin until God said, “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3). Therefore, it is clear that the heavens (universe) and earth (planet) existed prior to the first day. This would include the sun, moon, stars and light. Genesis states clearly that a day consisted of an evening and a morning. This required light for this purpose (verse 5). Since the planet earth and the universe existed prior to the light of verse 3, they also existed prior to the first day. How could it be otherwise? There was darkness over the surface of the deep, that is, the waters which covered the earth. It does not say that there was darkness anywhere else. In fact, God had made a “thick darkness its (the earth’s) swaddling band.” (Job 38: 9) The term “swaddling band” implies that there was light outside of this band, otherwise it wouldn’t be a band. Why would God place a “thick darkness” over the waters of the deep on the first day if the first thing that God did was to “let there be light”? 2. – Before God created the earth, He created the Angels. Yet, when the cornerstone of the earth was laid, “the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:7) 3. – In verse 3, God says “LET there be light.” The only purpose stated was to make days. It does not say he created or made the light at that time, but that he allowed the light. The next thing God did, on day 2, was to separate the waters, putting water vapors into the atmosphere around the earth. It would seem that this light was like that on an overcast day, when we cannot see the sun, moon or stars. 4. - Then God separated the earth from the seas and allowed the earth to bring forth vegetation. It appears that the earth already contained the necessary seeds. Note that God let the earth do this, but He “planted” the Garden of Eden. Gen 2: 8 In verse 14 God again states “let there be lights.” This time the lights are made visible. They are for additional purposes as signs, seasons, for days and for years. Again, it does not say God created or made the lights at the time, but allowed them to be visible. Verse 16 is an explanation and expansion of verse 1, the creation of the heavens (universe), which was completed “in the beginning”. For your consideration, Holmes |