Devine Scripture

Genesis 1:7

What does Genesis 1:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 1:7 means

God's command from verse 6 was immediately fulfilled as He Himself made the firmament and precisely divided the waters. This act resulted in waters existing below the firmament (which would become the seas) and waters existing above the firmament (which refer to atmospheric moisture or clouds). The direct execution of His word demonstrates His power and precision in bringing physical structure to the cosmos. This creational act establishes distinct environments—an atmosphere and an accumulation of water—essential for life to later emerge.

Genesis 1:7 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 firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And God made the arch for a division between the waters which were under the arch and those which were over it: and it was so.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God maketh the expanse, and it separateth between the waters which <FI>are<Fi> under the expanse, and the waters which <FI>are<Fi> above the expanse: and it is so.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament, from those that were above the firmament, and it was so.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod made the expanse, and divided between the waters that are under the expanse and the waters that are above the expanse; and it was so.

Context

This verse directly follows God's command for a firmament in verse 6, detailing its instantaneous creation and function. The firmament's primary role is to divide the waters, establishing a clear separation that creates structured space within the world. This physical ordering is a continuation of God's work to bring cosmos out of chaos, setting the stage for the naming of this new expanse and the conclusion of the second day.

v.6And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

v.7This passage

v.8And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 8:28

    When he made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep became strong,

  • Matthew 8:27

    And the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

  • Psalms 148:4

    Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, And ye waters that are above the heavens.

  • Job 38:8

    Orwho shut up the sea with doors, When it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb;

  • Genesis 1:9

    And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

  • Job 26:8

    He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; And the cloud is not rent under them.

Sermon ideas from Genesis 1:7

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

  • What Genesis 1:7 teaches us about creation ex nihilo

  • What Genesis 1:7 teaches us about the image of god

  • What Genesis 1:7 teaches us about the goodness of creation

  • What Genesis 1:7 teaches us about sabbath rhythm

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