Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:6

What does Genesis 1:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:6 means

On the second day, God commanded the creation of a "firmament" or expanse in the midst of the waters. The purpose of this firmament was to divide the waters above from the waters below. This command indicates God's intent to bring more structure to the watery chaos described in verse 2. It points to a further stage of ordering, preparing a space where life could eventually thrive by separating atmospheric waters from terrestrial waters, establishing distinct realms within the created order.

Genesis 1:6 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 said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God said, Let there be a solid arch stretching over the waters, parting the waters from the waters.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God saith, `Let an expanse be in the midst of the waters, and let it be separating between waters and waters.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod said, Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it be a division between waters and waters.

Context

Having established light and the cycle of day and night, this verse transitions to the work of the second day: the creation of a firmament. This command specifically addresses the vast waters mentioned in verse 2, aiming to bring further structure to the chaotic elements. It sets up the physical separation of water bodies, which will be executed in the following verse, thereby creating an ordered space within the created world.

v.5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

v.6This passage

v.7And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 150:1

    Praise ye Jehovah. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power.

  • Genesis 7:11

    In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

  • Job 38:22

    Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow, Or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

  • Job 37:11

    Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:

  • Genesis 1:14

    And 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:

  • Zechariah 12:1

    The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him:

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:6

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

  • What Genesis 1:6 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:6 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:6 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:6 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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