And God saw the light that [was] good; and God separated between the light and between the darkness.
וַ Conjunction וְ 50,260x and יַּ֧רְא Verb Qal, consecutive-imperfect, 3rd-person, masculine, singular רָאָה 1,301x to see
And saw
אֱלֹהִ֛ים Noun common, masculine, plural אֱלֹהִים 2,600x God, gods, god
God
אֶת Direct object marker אֵת 10,969x – ־ Maqaf It connects words or parts of words, similar to an English hyphen.
הָ Definite article הַ 23,886x the א֖וֹר Noun common, masculine, singular אוֹר 122x light
the light
כִּי Conjunction כִּי 4,486x that, because, when ־ Maqaf It connects words or parts of words, similar to an English hyphen.
that
ט֑וֹב Adjective masculine singular טוֹב 490x good, pleasant
good
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וַ Conjunction וְ 50,260x and יַּבְדֵּ֣ל Verb Hiphil, consecutive-imperfect, 3rd-person, masculine, singular בָּדַל 42x to separate
and separated
אֱלֹהִ֔ים Noun common, masculine, plural אֱלֹהִים 2,600x God, gods, god
God
בֵּ֥ין Preposition בַּיִן 407x between
between
הָ Definite article הַ 23,886x the א֖וֹר Noun common, masculine, singular אוֹר 122x light
the light
וּ Conjunction וְ 50,260x and בֵ֥ין Preposition בַּיִן 407x between
and between
הַ Definite article הַ 23,886x the חֹֽשֶׁךְ Noun common masculine singular חֹשֶׁךְ 80x darkness
the darkness
׃ Sof pasuq It marks the end of a verse, similar to a period in English.
Language
וַיַּ֧רְא (and saw )ראה (saw) implies a comprehensive and evaluative act of seeing by God. It is not mere passive observation but involves discernment and judgment. In this context, God’s seeing is followed by a declaration that the light isטוֹב (good), suggesting that God’s creation meets His own divine standards.- 1 Samuel 16:7, “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
אֱלֹהִ֛ים (God )אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), is particularly significant. It’s a plural form, which has raised much discussion. Some interpret it as a majestic plural, reflecting the supreme power and dignity of God; others see hints of the Trinity in it, while still others consider it a remnant from early polytheistic contexts.- Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”
אֶת־הָא֖וֹר (the light )אֶת precedingהָא֖וֹר (the light) signifies the object of the verb “saw,” highlighting the importance of the light in the creative process. The light here symbolizes God’s good and perfect creation, dispelling the primordial chaos.- Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
כִּי־ט֑וֹב (that [was] good )טוֹב indicates something that is good both in form and function. Here it confirms God’s approval of His own creative work. This notion of “goodness” is foundational to the biblical worldview and has significant ethical and theological implications.- James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֔ים (and God separated )- 1 Kings 8:53, “For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth, to be your heritage, as you declared through Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, O LORD God.”
בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֥ין הַחֹֽשֶׁךְ (between the light and between the darkness )- 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
John Calvin: “Here God is introduced by Moses as surveying his work, that he might take pleasure in it. But he does it for our sake, to teach us that God has made nothing without a certain reason and design. And we ought not so to understand the words of Moses as if God did not know that his work was good, till it was finished. But the meaning of the passage is, that the work, such as we now see it, was approved by God. Therefore nothing remains for us, but to acquiesce in this judgment of God. And this admonition is very useful. For whereas man ought to apply all his senses to the admiring contemplation of the works of God, we see what license he really allows himself in detracting from them.” (Commentary excerpt)
Insights
- God as Evaluator: Genesis 1:4 shows that God doesn’t simply create and move on, but actively evaluates His work as “good.” This highlights His wisdom and perfection, ensuring that what He creates aligns with His divine plan and purpose.
- God as Separator: The act of God separating the light from the darkness in this verse indicates His role in establishing order out of chaos. This underscores His sovereignty and divine authority to set boundaries in creation.
- God as Light: By creating light first and declaring it good, this verse allegorically points to God Himself as the ultimate Light. This sets the stage for the later revelation of Jesus Christ as the “Light of the World,” emphasizing God’s role in dispelling spiritual darkness.
- The Goodness of God: The declaration that the light was “good” reflects God’s inherent goodness. Everything He creates is not only functional but also morally good and beneficial, affirming His benevolent nature.
- The Omnipotence of God: The fact that God could create light, an essential element for life and order, demonstrates His unlimited power. It shows that God has the ability to bring forth essential elements of creation by simply willing them into existence.
Matthew Henry: “What God commands he will approve and graciously accept; he will be well pleased with the work of his own hands. That is good indeed which is so in the sight of God, for he sees not as man sees.” (Commentary excerpt)
Cross-References
“The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself. Therefore, when there is a question about the true and full meaning of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), that meaning must be searched out and ascertained by other places that speak more clearly.” (WCF 1.9)
- 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
- This verse directly cites the creation of light in Genesis 1:4, drawing a parallel between the creation of physical light and the spiritual light that God shines in our hearts.
- Isaiah 45:7, “I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.”
- Isaiah 45:7 emphasizes the LORD’s sovereign power in creating both light and darkness, echoing the creation account in Genesis 1:4 where God sees the light and separates it from darkness.
- 1 John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
- 1 John 1:5 relates to Genesis 1:4 by presenting God as the ultimate source of light, without any darkness, highlighting His purity and goodness.
- Psalm 104:2, “Covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.”
- This Psalm reflects the language of Genesis 1:4 by depicting God as clothed in light, signifying His divine nature and majesty.
- John 8:12, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
- This New Testament reference connects to Genesis 1:4 by identifying Jesus as the ‘light of the world,’ expanding the concept of light from physical to spiritual realms.
Applications
