Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:16

What does Genesis 1:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:16 means

God created the sun and moon, referred to as "the two great lights," assigning the greater light (sun) to rule the day and the lesser light (moon) to rule the night. He also created "the stars also." This demonstrates God's direct agency and infinite power in forming the vast celestial bodies. By His sovereign will, these lights regulate the earth's light and dark cycles, seasons, and serve as beacons, all subservient to His grand design. This confirms that these astronomical bodies are not deities but His creations, designed for specific purposes.

Genesis 1:16 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 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God made the two great lights: the greater light to be the ruler of the day, and the smaller light to be the ruler of the night: and he made the stars.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God maketh the two great luminaries, the great luminary for the rule of the day, and the small luminary--and the stars--for the rule of the night;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night: and the stars.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod made the two great lights, the great light to rule the day, and the small light to rule the night, — and the stars.

Context

Following the command and clarification of purpose for celestial lights, this verse describes God's direct action of creating them. It details the creation of the sun (greater light), moon (lesser light), and stars, specifically assigning their roles in governing day and night. This act fills the firmament, establishing the cosmic order that will be elaborated upon in the following verses concerning their placement and rule, bringing order to the heavens.

v.15and let them be for lights in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

v.16This passage

v.17And God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 16:8

    And the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it to scorch men with fire.

  • Isaiah 13:10

    For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not cause its light to shine.

  • Psalms 148:5

    Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For he commanded, and they were created.

  • Isaiah 45:7

    I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.

  • Isaiah 40:26

    Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking.

  • Joshua 10:12

    Then spake Joshua to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:16

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

  • What Genesis 1:16 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:16 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:16 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:16 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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