Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:19

What does Genesis 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:19 means

This verse marks the formal conclusion of the fourth day of creation, using the consistent rhythmic phrase, "And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day." This repetition underlines the orderly, sequential, and time-bound nature of God's creative activity. Each day represents a distinct, completed phase of His work, building upon previous accomplishments. This structured progression emphasizes God's deliberate and intentional process in bringing the cosmos into being, reinforcing His sovereign control over time itself.

Genesis 1:19 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 there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there is an evening, and there is a morning--day fourth.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the evening and morning were the fourth day.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there was evening, and there was morning — a fourth day.

Context

Following the detailed account of the creation and purpose of the celestial lights, this verse functions as the closing marker for the fourth day. It maintains the established chronological pattern of "evening and morning," reinforcing the structured progression of God's creative week. This conclusion signifies that the heavens are now fully ordered and prepared, effectively transitioning the narrative to the creation of living creatures in the waters and skies on the fifth day.

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

v.19This passage

v.20And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:19

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

  • What Genesis 1:19 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:19 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:19 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:19 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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