CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 1:1. In the beginning] Or, “at first,” “originally,” “to start with:” Sept. _en archê_ (εν αρχῃ) as in John 1:1. GOD] Heb. _’Elohim_ (אֱלֹהִים): w. ref. to this frequent and interesting Divine Name, note (1.) its _radical conception_—that of POWER; (2.) its _form_—PLURAL,... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 1:3. And God said] Better (because of the strong _waw_, and position of verb): “Then said God” = “the state of things being as just described.” From this point the drama is unfolded to the eye. LIGHT] The orig. is indeed inimitable: _Yehi’ôr, wá-yehi ʼôr_. The nearest appro... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 1:6. Firmament] Or: “expanse;” prop. “something beaten out.” “expanded.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 1:6_ THE ATMOSPHERE The word here translated “firmament” more properly means expanse; it comes from a Hebrew verb meaning “to spread out.” It is literally... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 1:11. Kind] Prop. “form” or “shape,” hence “species,” “kind.” Comp. 1 Corinthians 15:38, where note the aorist tense = “as it (originally) pleased him:”—a hint on “the perpetuity of species.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 1:9_ THE SEA AND THE DRY LAND I. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 1:14. Lights] “Luminaries:” Heb. _me’ôrôth_, sing, _mâʼôr_, not _’ôr_ as in Genesis 1:3: Sept. _phôstêr_ here, _phôs_ there. There was “light” before the fourth day _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 1:14_ THE HEAVENLY BODIES As we have seen, light had been crea... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 1:20. Creature] Here, and in Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:24, “creature” stands for Heb. _nephesh_ (Sept. _psychê_), and in Genesis 1:30 “wherein is life” is, more exactly, “wherein is a _nephesh_ of life.” If our Eng. “soul” cannot be expanded so as to cover the biblical usage o... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 1:26. Man] Heb. _’âdhâm_ (Adam). The reader of the Heb. can scarcely resist the impression that a close connection was meant to be seen between _’âdhâm_ “man,” and, _adhâmâh_ “earth,” “ground.” Guided by this, and by 1 Corinthians 15:47, we cannot doubt that “earth-born” (K... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 1:24_ THE ANIMAL WORLD I. That the Animal World was created by God. All the creeping things of the earth are created by God. The cattle upon a thousand hills were made by Him. There is not an insect in the universe, but is the outcome of Divine power. Li... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 1:29_ THE UNIVERSE GOD’S GIFT TO MAN I. The Gift. 1. _Extensive._ The Universe is a Divine gift to man. It was designed for the occupation of man. The home, with all its furniture, was presented to him. Nature, from its highest manifestations to its low... [ Continue Reading ]