Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:18

What does Genesis 1:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:18 means

The purpose of the sun, moon, and stars is further elaborated: they are to "rule over the day and over the night" and to "divide the light from the darkness." This reiterates their functional authority in regulating time and light cycles on earth. Once again, God evaluated His work and declared that "it was good," affirming the perfection and suitability of this cosmic arrangement. This shows God's intention for a stable, predictable universe, essential for life, and highlights His delight in the order and beauty He has established.

Genesis 1:18 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 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To have rule over the day and the night, and for a division between the light and the dark: and God saw that it was good.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to rule over day and over night, and to make a separation between the light and the darkness; and God seeth that <FI>it is<Fi> good;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to rule during the day and during the night, and to divide between the light and the darkness. AndGod saw that it was good.

Context

Following the creation and placement of the celestial bodies, this verse re-emphasizes their divinely appointed functions: ruling day and night and dividing light from darkness. This reinforces the structured order introduced earlier in day one. The affirming declaration that it was "good" concludes this phase of creation. This completes the account of the fourth day's work, setting the stage for the creation of living creatures on the fifth day after the heavens are fully ordered.

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

v.18This passage

v.19And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 19:6

    His going forth is from the end of the heavens, And his circuit unto the ends of it; And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

  • Jeremiah 31:35

    Thus saith Jehovah, who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar; Jehovah of hosts is his name:

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:18

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

  • What Genesis 1:18 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:18 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:18 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:18 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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