Genesis 1:3
Genesis 1:3 | |
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← 1:2 1:4 → | |
Book | Book of Genesis |
Hebrew Bible part | Torah |
Order in the Hebrew part | 1 |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 1 |
Genesis 1:3 is the third
"Let there be light" (like "in the beginning" in Genesis 1:1) has entered into common usage as a phrase. It is the motto (sometimes in its Latin form, fiat lux) for many educational institutions (using light as a metaphor for knowledge). The University of California is one example.[1] The phrase also forms the chorus of John Marriott's hymn about Creation, "Thou, Whose Almighty Word."[2]
Interpretations
By a word
Gerhard von Rad considers the implication to be "the most radical distinction between Creator and creature. Creation cannot be even remotely considered an emanation from God; it is not somehow an overflow or reflection of his being, i.e., of his divine nature, but is rather a product of his personal will."[7]
The divine "fiat lux" in this passage has "exerted a powerful influence on the English poetic tradition."[8] The many examples include John Dryden's lines "Thus Britain's Basis on a Word is laid, / As by a word the World itself was made."[8]
Light
St Basil emphasises the role of light in making the universe beautiful,[8] as does St Ambrose, who writes: "But the good Author uttered the word 'light' so that He might reveal the world by infusing brightness therein and thus make its aspect beautiful."[9]
The light is described as being created here before the sun, moon, and stars, which appear on the fourth day (Genesis 1:14–19).[10] In some Jewish interpretations, the light created here is a primordial light, different in nature from (and brighter than) that associated with the sun.[11] The light has also been interpreted metaphorically,[12] and has been connected to Psalm 104 (a "poem of creation"[13]), where God is described as wrapping himself in light.[14][15]
Some writers have seen a connection between this verse and the Big Bang in physical cosmology.[10][16][17][18]
Text
Various translations into English of the Hebrew text וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר וַיְהִי אוֹר (Wayyōmer Ělōhîm "yǝhî ôr," wayǝhî ôr) include:
Translation | Text |
---|---|
American Standard Version | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
Bible in Basic English | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
Darby Bible | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
God's Word Translation | "Then God said, "Let there be light!" So there was light." |
Holman Christian Standard Bible | "Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." |
Jewish Publication Society (3rd ed.) | "God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. |
King James Version | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
The Message | "God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared." |
New International Version | "And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." |
New King James Version | "Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light." |
Webster's Revision | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
World English Bible | "God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." |
Young's Literal Translation | "and God saith, 'Let light be;' and light is." |
See also
- Apollo 8 Genesis reading while in lunar orbit, December 24, 1968
References
- ^ University of California website, accessed 25 August 2012.
- ISBN 0800733959, p. 141.
- ^ Augustine, City of God, Book XI, Chapter 21.
- ISBN 3161508394, p. 79.
- ISBN 0802825214, p. 119.
- ISBN 0898707986, p. 48.
- ISBN 0664227457, pp. 51–52.
- ^ ISBN 0802836348, pp. 275–278.
- ISBN 0813213835, p. 39.
- ^ ISBN 0884899829, p. 82.
- ISBN 0199879796, p. lxxii.
- ISBN 1587430916, p. 46.
- ISBN 0825434939, p. 131.
- ISBN 0899008887, p. 266.
- ISBN 0199879796, p. 85.
- ISBN 0664501605, p. 49.
- ISBN 3540744193, p. 195.
- ISBN 069110297X, p. 255.