Deorum, l. 1. An event is described indefinitely when there is neither verb nor participle in the sentence to determine its state. [Note: For a good explanation of the gap theory, as well as the atheistic evolution, theistic evolution, progressive creation, and fiat creation views, see James M. Boice, Genesis, 1:37-68. Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:2. The first word in Genesis 1:2 (Heb. The wicked man is said to “walk in darkness” (1 John 1:6); “darkness blindeth his eyes” (1 John 2:11); his “understanding is darkened” Ephesians 4:18); his “foolish heart is darkened” (Romans 1:21); he “loves darkness rather than light” (1 John 3:21); “he knows not nor understands, but walks on in darkness” (Psalms 82:5); and if he repent not he “shall be cast into outer darkness” (Matthew 25:30). 1 John 1:5). So the wind of Jehovah makes the grass wither (Isaiah 40:7); and so God makes the winds His messengers (Psalms 104:4). The phrase אלהים רוּח rûach 'ĕlohı̂ym means “the spirit of God,” as it is elsewhere uniformly applied to spirit, and as רחף rı̂chēp “brooded,” does not describe the action of wind. d. In like manner man became a ruin (Genesis 3; Psalms 14:1-3; Psalms 51:5; Psalms 53:1-3. no clear biblical text testifies to the origins of chaos or of the Serpent, nor to the reason for their existence." 2. The more popular theory among evangelicals now is the no-gap theory in either one of the last two forms described above. tohu va bohu. Response. How did that shapeless mass become such a world as this? By the creation of an atmosphere, the lighter parts of the waters which overspread the earth's surface were drawn up and suspended in the visible heavens, while the larger and heavier mass remained below. Genesis 1:4.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. The sentence is, as heretofore, coupled to preceding one by the noun or subject. See also Henry M. Morris, "The Gap Theory," Creation Ex Nihilo10:1 (December1987-February1988):35-37; and Ham, et al, pp16, 157-75.]. . In order to dissipate the darkness in which it is naturally involved. They here describe the land as waste and empty, and the context shows that it was as yet covered with waters, so as to form a part and condition of the deep, over the surface or face of which there was darkness. 5. Thus the idea here is of an uninhabitable, lifeless and empty, water-covered earth. 1. The soul life of many lacks architecture. "Great and manifold are thy works, Lord God Almighty! 3. It is not so here. Problem: Some terms in Genesis 1:2 (darkness, surface, deep, waters) imply that something existed at this time, suggesting some creative activity before Genesis 1:3. Spirit of God, giving life, vigour, and motion to things, and preparing the waters for the sacred office of baptism, in which, by the institution of Jesus Christ, we must be born again; and, like spiritual fishes, swim amid the tempestuous billows of this world. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. was. 1. ". He Who is light is ready to act on darkness. Nothing is said about any other region throughout the bounds of existing things. Opinions as to the import of this second verse are no less diverse than in regard to the degree of relation which it bears to the first, because, according to one class of expositors, it describes the primordial state of the earth when newly emanating from the hands of the Creator; while another class consider it as pointing to a great physical catastrophe which at some subsequent period befell the earth, and from the extensive derangements occasioned by which it gradually emerged when the present mundane system began to be introduced. This is usually the case, but not always (cf. It was the gift of God. l. 3. c. 11. p. 115. : and the Zophasemin of the Phoenicians, which were heavenly birds, were, according to SanchoniathoF3Apud Ib. American King James Version×reads, “And on th… ; idem, Genesis; Ross; Sailhamer, "Genesis;" et al. Genesis 1:2, NKJV. “And darkness was upon the face of the deep”: Here again the conjunction is connected with the noun. And. It existed at present only as an incoherent waste of emptiness. i. No gaps, not even for one minute, otherwise these would not be six normal days. Response. It seems more likely and consistent with His activity in Genesis 1:3-31 that He would create it fully formed. the Spirit of God moved--literally, continued brooding over it, as a fowl does, when hatching eggs. (C. There was no atmosphere. ], [Note: Franz Delitzsch, A System of Biblical Psychology, p74-76. 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