Genesis 1:16-19
As I’ve noticed so far in Genesis 1, there are two significant actions that are repeated. The act of dividing and the act of ruling over. In Genesis 1:4 God divided the light from the darkness. In Genesis 1:7 God divided the waters. In Genesis 1:14 and 1:18 God made the lights to divide the day from the night. As far as ruling over, in Genesis 1:16 God made the lesser light to rule the night and the greater light to rule the day. Thus, the classification of matter and elements is a significant detail that is important enough to be put into the inspired Word of God! The act of the lights ruling over the day and night is the first demonstration of delegated natural authority. Just think about how many functions of life on earth are controlled by the sun. Also, think about how many functions and purposes the moon has (tides, navigation, etc.). At first I thought that the creation of the sun and the moon was a foreshadow of the creation of man. However, there is a significant difference. The dividing of light from darkness and the creation of the sun and the moon was spoken into existence. However in Genesis 2:22 it states that the first woman was “built” from man’s rib. On the other hand, the ruling over theme is a foreshadow of the authority that was given to man. In Genesis 1:26 and 1:28 man was given charge to have dominion over and subdue the earth and its creatures. If there are any readers of this blog that are proficient in Biblical Hebrew I would love to hear your comments on the similarities and differences between the following terms “rule over” (Genesis 1:18), “have dominion over” (Genesis 1:26) and “subdue” (Genesis 1:28).
Genesis 1:16-19 (NKJV) “Then 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. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 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. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”
Posted on January 24, 2012, in Genesis and tagged Biblical Hebrew, Genesis 1:4, Genesis creation narrative, Light. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
Genesis 1:18 – משל
Genesis 1:26 – רדה
Genesis 1:28 – רדה
“Mashal,” the verb found in Genesis 1:18, “to rule over,” is used in many ways, from this usage, the celestial bodies over day and night, to Joseph ruling over Egypt, and men ruling over sin.
“Radah,” the verb in verses 26 and 28, usually means “to rule,” with the associated meaning of oppression. This word is also used to mean “to tread” as in a wine press, so you can see the comparison with “ruling” and “treading on,” to understand the meaning of oppression in the word. This particular verse is ruling or subduing the fish and the birds.
It is worth noting that the original meaning of “radah” is actually uncertain, but it is believed that it was not originally used to mean “rule over” or “subdue,” but instead it denotes “the travelling around of the shepherd with his flock.”
I’m having some difficulty in understanding the last clause, “[He made] the stars also.” I’ve read elsewhere that the words inside the brackets (as well as the last word – “also”) are not in the original. They were added during translation as help in understanding the verse. So to add the sentence “He made the stars also.” seems to me to be saying God made the stars together with the sun and the moon — after He has created the heavens and the earth in verse 1. Looks funny to me. The closest (and much easier for me to digest) meaning must be that the stars were (made) to rule the night also. Or if we move a little farther back (v.14), as signs for seasons, etc.
The sun and the moon could have been made after God made the stars (heavens) therefore to say that he made the stars also during or after He made the sun and the moon doesn’t fit logic and science.