Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:15

What does Genesis 1:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:15 means

God's command from verse 14 elaborated on the purpose of these celestial lights: to give light upon the earth. This clarifies that their primary function is to illuminate the planet, providing the necessary light cycles to sustain the life that has already been created. The immediate fulfillment of this command, indicated by "and it was so," reaffirms God's absolute authority and power. This establishes a consistent and reliable source of illumination and temporal ordering, demonstrating God's meticulous care in providing for His creation's needs.

Genesis 1:15 in context

Genesis 1 — The Six Days of Creation

The Bible opens not with an argument for the existence of God but with the announcement of his creative act. In six measured days God speaks the cosmos into being — light, sky, sea, land, plants, sun and moon, fish and birds, animals, and finally man and woman in his own image. Each act ends with the refrain, 'and God saw that it was good.' The chapter establishes God's sovereignty, the goodness of the material world, the dignity of humanity, and the rhythm of work and rest that will shape all of Scripture.

  • Creation ex nihilo
  • The image of God
  • The goodness of creation
  • Sabbath rhythm

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and let them be for lights in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and let them be for lights in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And let them be for lights in the arch of heaven to give light on the earth: and it was so.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they have been for luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth:' and it is so.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To shine in the firmament of heaven, and to give light upon the earth, and it was so done.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens, to give light on the earth. And it was so.

Context

This verse continues the command from verse 14, further specifying the purpose of the lights in the firmament—to provide light upon the earth. This clarification emphasizes their functional role in sustaining life on the planet. It builds toward the actual creation of these lights, highlighting the direct link between God's spoken word and its immediate materialization, preparing for the detailed account of their creation in the subsequent verse.

v.14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years:

v.15This passage

v.16And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he madethe stars also.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:15

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Genesis 1:15 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:15 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:15 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:15 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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