Genesis 1: 2 Commentary

Genesis 1:2
2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

lets begin:

genesis 1:2:
2. for the creation of earth was only its shape. for there were no mountains, no sky, no trees, no land; there was nothing; only water throughout.

also there was only darkness throughout till GOD’S glory shined forth from the darkness and moved upon the waters; the logos; being the very spirit of GOD.

one must also question what was this spirit of GOD moving about upon the waters. and we discover that the logos is GOD’S HOLY LIVING WORD. for the logos is all that was, that is, and that shall be before the very foundations.

in other words; the logos is the pure essence and the pure word of GOD that came forth from GOD and is a part of GOD in every essence; and within this pure essence and pure word of GOD came forth our LORD JESUS CHRIST and every true son and daughter of GOD before the very foundations.

for this is were GOD our father, which is a spirit form of GOD in us, and then GOD’S only begotten son came forth from the logos of GOD creating the sonship of GOD along with every true son and daughter of GOD.

this is GOD in three different offices; and not three coequal individuals as trinitarians believe. GOD is not a unitarian; for our LORD JESUS CHRIST cannot be his own father. GOD is also not a binitarian as well; for our LORD JESUS CHRIST is a man indwelled with GOD, not two equal GODS.

GOD/ LORD/ GOD in heaven
GOD/ JESUS/ GOD on earth; in a 100% man ( JESUS CHRIST ) indwelled with 100% GOD; as prophesied
GOD/ CHRIST/ GOD in us; HOLY SPIRIT

also contained in that logos of GOD was the holy bible already fulfilled and glorified. it just had to be manifested and played out on earth.

for the logos is the very word of GOD that first was a thought, then that thought became a spoken word of GOD, and then that spoken word of GOD became manifested. so the word of GOD is eternal and just as the holy bible states is going to remain when all else to destroyed.

also if the logos is the pure essence and word of GOD and is eternal; then; the true sons and daughters of GOD have always been eternal and we have always been a part of GOD’S manifesting word before the very foundations as to also being a part of every event that occurred throughout the holy bible. for the pure essence and word of GOD is one body, one mind, and one word always producing and manifesting.

so in other words; the logos; has been moving throughout the holy bible producing and manifesting the true sons and daughters of GOD at its appropriate time from the logos of GOD and has always been a part of GOD’S works and will before the very foundations of GOD; for we have always been a part of the spirit of GOD moving throughout the bible.

now try grasping all this and meditating on it for awhile till it truly sinks in for a moment; it will blow your mind as it did mine.

By angel (wrote 240 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/27/2012 06:58 am

Charles (Post 32): Thank you for clarifying.

By Roland G (wrote 1416 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 10/1/2011 04:29 am

Re post 31, Roland, just to clarify, I absolutely do NOT blame God for anything. My point was clearly that God does NOT inspire false information, and therefore he could not have inspired Genesis.

By Charles (wrote 1421 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/30/2011 22:30 pm

Charles (Post #30): People blame God for lots of things He does not do. If He does not get worked up, I should not either. Thank you for sharing your point of view.

By Roland G (wrote 1416 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/30/2011 21:57 pm

Roland, I agree with points 1, 2 and 3 in Post 9, but your last point doesn’t follow. How can God inspire false information?

By Charles (wrote 1421 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/30/2011 13:12 pm

Charles (Post #28): “It’s the simplest of all logical deductions…..” Indeed it is the simplest of all deductions:

1. In Genesis there is insufficient detail, so man and science cannot explain
God’s handiwork.
2. Man and science remain ignorant of God’s creation.
3. Man and science cannot answer simple questions about lots of stuff such as,
“How did God do that?”
4. Ergo, Genesis MUST be God-inspired.

By Roland G (wrote 1416 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/30/2011 12:31 pm

Well, Roland (post 27), it’s the simplest of all logical deductions:
1. In Genesis there is gross ignorance of the solar system and the cosmos.
2. It CAN’T be that God is ignorant of his own creations.
3. Ergo, Genesis CAN’T be God-inspired.

By Charles (wrote 1421 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/30/2011 11:40 am

Charles (Post #26): Let me guess. You are thinking the Book of Genesis is a fable. Right?

In previous posts you discarded the veracity of at least one or more other Bible books because you do not believe they are God-breathed and inspired. May I ask, how many books of the Bible you find are God breathed and inspired? Or, is the whole Bible just a nice book to study as literature?

By Roland G (wrote 1416 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/30/2011 07:17 am

SOME MATH ABOUT THE GAP THEORY

The gap theory cannot be dismissed altogether because between Gen. 1:1 and Gen. 1:2 the counting of the days had not yet begun. But once the count starts… “the evening and the morning”… then there is no doubt that the Bible is talking about actual 24-hour days.

Well, let’s hold off for now on that 24-hour day! The argument that the days were longer has no basis whatsoever either in science or in the Bible, but it’s the last line of defence for those who believe the Biblical creation story to be true. So let’s leave it open for now.

We DO know that Earth has been revolving around the sun for 4.54 billion years. This we cannot just pretend it’s not true. What the gap theory does is that it puts 4,539,994,000 of these years (4.54 billion less 6,000 years) in the gap, and thus reconciles science with the Bible (as far as Earth is concerned). With the longer-day argument we don’t even need a gap. We could say that each of the six creation days lasted 766,665,667 years (4,599,994,000 divided by 6) and still reconcile science with the Bible (again, as far as Earth is concerned). I suppose the days returned to normal immediately after God rested because I can’t imagine Adam living 930 x 766,665,667 years, thus dying at the age of 13 billion years!

Now let’s take the sun. This is where every Biblical theory falls apart because the sun is actually 60 million years OLDER than Earth. Gap or no gap, the Bible puts this sequence in reverse. Same thing (even worse) if we try to explain the stars.

So the longer days don’t help, and the gap doesn’t either. By having Earth existing before the creation of the sun and stars no argument can help defend the Genesis account.

By Charles (wrote 1421 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/30/2011 02:50 am

Commentary on Genesis 1:1-3
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “let there be light and there was light.Genesis1:1-4.

First of all, I say that I really respect those scholars who believe in the gap theory. They are very intelligent and devoted Christians.

I do not take the gap theory. I do not think there is no gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
I stand with other scholars and devoted Christians.

God is the greatest artist and scientist. He created the heavens and the earth. He is the God of love, power and proof. He is All Knowing.

He exercised his free will and began with the earth which was formless and void and the darkness was over the surface of the deep.

God did not create darkness, but light. Darkness is the absence of light.

In the beginning, God did not let the earth have light. So there was darkness there on earth. God said,” Let there be light” and there was light.

We, his disciples are the light of the world. God wants us to go to places where there is no light so we can shed His light for the people in the darkness.

God in his foreknowledge chose people who would be his children. He gave every one freedom of choice.

(Predetermination of God does not at all make us not to do our part of choosing Him as Lord, God and Savior.

This does not at all make us believers not to spread the Gospel. In the contrary, we need to be more involved in God’s work of spreading his Good News of Salvation.)

By Chrisjohn LaHaf (wrote 10 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/12/2011 23:37 pm

Herman Cummings, You asked “Who Do You Believe…, Darwin or Moses?” I bet that Darwin knew much more about the mechanisms of nature than Moses (who even let his brother Aron write down everything because he could not write himself)…

(BTW. I don’t think Moses was a historical figure. He is also part of the Big Fairy Tale)

By Dolf (wrote 6 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 5/9/2011 00:49 am

Herman Cummings you are really a warrior for God’s Word! But please be careful with your critique on the Jews. You have seen yourself that many Christians are as ‘rebellious’ as the Jews. Keep us updated!

By Jeremy Sündholm (wrote 45 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 5/8/2011 19:44 pm

The Truth of Genesis: A Challenge Given to the Pope!

A while ago, there was a website article someone wrote called “Herman
Cummings Challenges the Whole World”. It related to the twin exposal
articles (”The Hypocrisy of Young Earth Creationism”, & “The Infidelity
of Old Earth Creationism”), which identified both the false and foolish
doctrines of current Creationism. I challenged all creationist groups
around the world to come together, learn the truth of scripture, and unite
in the fight against the atheistic scientific conclusion of the evolution
theory.

Unfortunately, no one accepted the challenge. Therefore, my next article
issued an “Indigenous Galactic Network Challenge” (”Termination Notice:
The End of Evolution”), proclaiming the coming end of the monopoly of
the evolution theory in our human culture. Since none of the creationist
groups wanted to repent, and forsake their false teachings, I decided to
“launch out into battle” without them, inviting the world of evolution to a
public “face-off”, armed only with the truth of God’s Written Word. No
evolutionist entity accepted my challenge, not even the National Center
for Science Education. They have been ducking me for years. Their motto
is “Defending the teaching of Evolution in Public Schools”.

Afterwards, there was a challenge to La Sierra University, after they were
in the news concerning their curriculum. They were supposed to be
associated with the Seventh Day Adventists, but they were apparently only
teaching evolution in their biology classes.

I first had written to them in April 2010, and no one responded. I now wrote
to them a year later (the admin office and 15 science professors), once again
challenging them to host the 62 minute PowerPoint presentation named the
“Observations of Moses”, which removes all confusion between what
Moses saw and what science has discovered. It was an opportunity for
them to again get into “good standing” with their parent organization. But I
received only one “weak” response, from a professor that said he didn’t
remember my first letter. Yet regardless, they refused the challenge, along
with Texas Tech University, whom I had forwarded the same letter.

Next, I issued a challenge to the Jews, in both America and Israel.

Over a year ago, in February 2010, I sent the presentation to the Sanhedrin
in Israel. I had told them that their planned Jerusalem Temple Mount
sacrifices would be just a big joke if they themselves didn’t believe the
scriptures. In fact, my exact words were “If you, and the rest of the
Sanhedrin, do not embrace the historical truth of Genesis, and refuse to
correctly convey that truth to the nation of Israel (and the rest of the world),
the Sanhedrin is unfit to govern and judge the people. You are no better
than a glorified council of the ungodly, denying the truth of Moses and
the Prophets. Do you want legitimacy, both at home and abroad? Then
stop hiding under the bed of ignorance, and resolve this (evolution) issue.”

So, they asked for the presentation, and it “blew them away”. They
thought it was impossible to reconcile the literal reading of Genesis
chapter one with scientific reality. Yet there is was, right in their lap.
But just like hypocrites, they saw it as a problem, rather than an opportunity.
After they calmed down, and saw if they now embraced the truth, that they
would now have to admit to the world that the venerated rabbi patriarchs of
yesteryear did not understand the scriptures, and had been misleading the
people. So in order to “save the dead”, they’d have to let the living “die in
ignorance”. Therefore they tabled the issue.

Now, coming back to the present, I issued another challenge (“Who Do
You Believe…, Darwin or Moses?”) to rabbis & Jewish organizations, and
sent it to synagogues and Jewish publications, both in the USA and Israel.
I got one response…, from a rabbi who said to “take me off your mailing
list”. I wrote back and said “Why? Is it because you don’t believe in God?”.

It is actually embarrassing that “God’s Chosen People” fail to even consider
that Bereshit is literally true. It’s so sad, that the leadership of the Jews is so
cynical of the sacred scriptures. In Exodus 32:9, it says “And the LORD
said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked
people:”. In Isaiah 30:9 it says “That this is a rebellious people, lying children,
children that will not hear the law of the LORD:”. Can you imagine being
married to such a spouse? It’s no wonder the Jews are now a widow.
So, who is there left to challenge? I’ve already written the White House,
Congress, US Dept. of Education, every state Governor, state legislature,
and state boards of education, along with state science education organizations.
Let’s not forget the colleges, universities, seminaries, various local school boards,
high schools, middle schools, churches, synagogues, secular and religious
publications,…and the list goes on.

Well, it seems that the Vatican tries to tell the people to believe the Holy
Scriptures (Creative Reason), but not to believe in them literally. What? In
1st Corinthians 14:8, is says “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who
shall prepare himself to the battle?”. In the game of basketball, there is
what’s called a “double dribble”.

So, now leaving the region of our “network of galaxies”, I offer this Universal
Challenge!! The term “Catholic”, basically means “the Universal Church”.
So it’s only fitting that the Vatican (the Pope) should be the object of this
challenge. The leadership of the Jews failed (or were too scared) to accept
my earlier taunt. I now publically announce this new ultimatum. “Yea, let
God’s (Written Word) be true, but every man a liar;”.

To Pope Benedict XVI, in Vatican City!! Come to America, where
mankind first learned the truth of motorized flight. Leave the confounds
of the Holy See, and visit the USA, where mankind first learned of the
truth of our Moon, and bought back rock samples from an alien world for
all mankind to view. Now, amend your schedule, and journey to “the fruited
plain”. Let God mend your every flaw. Confirm thy soul, in self control…,
thy liberty in (God’s) Law.

Come to America, and see for yourself, that the Word of Genesis is
literally true, and the conclusions of science (and doctrines of current
Creationism) are false. Come and see the “Observations of Moses”, so
that you can then declare to all the people, that God created all, in just 144 hours, and that repentance is now in order.

Herman Cummings
ephraim7@aol.com

By Herman Cummings (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 5/8/2011 14:33 pm

Some other translation says ” Now the earth is formless…” Though not conclusive, there is a possibility that something happen between Verse 1 and 2 in the book of Genesis..If indeed God created the Heaven and earth in the beginning…how come it was void and formless and in some translation says “in confusion”. Did God create the heaven and earth void and in confusion?? Definitely not,God made all things beautiful in His time, it was made perfect and in order. Also take note of the time element “In the beginning” and “NOW” which appears in NIV translation.
Anyways, whatever happened during such time is not of major concern.. Lets look at earth as US — humans. We are God’s creation but something happens along the way that made us VOID and in Confusion as well, but God in his great mercy, has given us Light, to once again form us into the likeness of His Son…Thats another way of looking to this verse..

By ernie (wrote 5 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 12/4/2010 18:00 pm

But Kathleen, if God didn’t want us to think literal 24hr periods, why would the Bible say, “the evening and the morning were the first day, second day, third day, etc.?” (Ge 1:5,8,13,19,23,31)

By Jason W. Elder (wrote 314 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/11/2010 22:11 pm

um… might I point out… God’s time is more than likely not our time, A year on earth might be a second in Heaven… so it is posible that billions of EARTHLY years whent by in between creation and such…

By Kathleen (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/11/2010 16:02 pm

“And the earth”
When God formed the earth in a formless, shapeless, state it was uninhabitable.

“was without form and void;”
The earth’s crust was not completely solid. It was void of biological and human life. The earth remained in this state for several billions of years. Some theologians suggest that there is a gap (Gap Theory) between verses 1 and 2 reasoning in part that when God creates something He is obligated to create only in a final shape or form. Therefore, God must have been initiating restoration of the earth following the fall of Satan and one-third of the angels who followed him. The text does not suggest a gap.

“and darkness”
Everything was pitch black.

“was upon the face of the deep.”
The “deep” here refers to outer space. At some point in the earth’s development the earth became covered by “waters” (see Gen: 1:7) in the lithosphere, which formed into a thick layer of ice. God, the Holy Spirit, will hover over the ice-pack causing it to melt flooding the entire earth.

“And the Spirit of God”
The “Spirit of God” refers to the third person of the Holy Trinity, God, the Holy Spirit.

“moved upon the face of the waters”
The Holy Spirit hovered across the entire “face” of the “waters” enveloping the earth in the form of a thick ice-pack. The ice-pack enveloping the earth in the lithosphere area of the first heaven included a mixture of salts, chemical elements, compounds and undissolved gases as science knows them today.

By Roland G. (wrote 1416 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 5/10/2010 00:43 am

Shawn, I know many good men who believe that, but I’ve always thought it catered to Evolution. After all, why would there need to be an age before? Also, assuming you believe there was a pre-adamic race, wouldn’t that put death before sin?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)

By Jason W. Elder (wrote 314 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/31/2010 23:52 pm

The word without form it tohoo and it means to lie waste,or a desolation. the word for void is empty, but the word was which is before the without form and void is the hebrew word haw-yaw and it means to become. After God created the heavens and the earth period. They became without form and void. Clearley meaning there was a age before this one.

By shawn (wrote 9 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/29/2010 05:11 am

One more thing on Genesis 1:2, I forgot to mention the fact that the, “Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” This is God’s Holy Spirit. He was involved in creation. If he was there, oh I just wonder what presence He has in our lives. He convicts, He reproves, He corrects, He comforts, He teaches, He inspires, He directs, He prays and He does so many things in our lives. Let us get a hold of what the Holy Spirit does and let us let Him move in our lives and pray that God will work a mighty work in all of us. Amen.

By Jordan Haskins (wrote 4 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 10/18/2009 00:45 am

God, in the midst of darkness and chaos stepped out and began to create. But the amazing thing is, how did He do it? He didn’t actually “create” as we make things: with our hands. But He created this universe by His spoken word. What power the Word of God has! And we as humans have the power to put the Word to work in our lives. We don’t do it by prophesying by fore-telling, we do it by forth-telling, by sharing the Word of God with others and sharing the truth with them. Why, why do we spend time witnessing to others. 1) to share the Word of God with them and share with them the plan of salvation so that they may have eternal life. 2) That we may share with others how to be truly set free(John 8:31-32). Only Christ can truly set a person free and He does that through the power of the Holy Ghost and the power of His Word. Praise Him for the Word of God. In closing, I challenge us all to read Psalm 119 to see a description of how great God’s Word really is and to see how powerful it is and to see people’s motivations for staying in it. Amen to God’s Word the Bible!

By Jordan Haskins (wrote 4 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 10/18/2009 00:41 am

In the beginning, the earth was formless. But as God began to speak,the formlessness began to take shape.This verse is usually true of every project or program.As you prophetically begin to speak “let there be” to your marriage,academic,finances,family ,children,ministry,etc.,things will begin to take shape.

By Dr. J.O. Adeoti (wrote 8 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/24/2009 19:07 pm

I want to study more about Genesis 1/i-3

By pastorsioneofahemooni (wrote 2 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/11/2009 04:39 am

Genesis 1/1-3

By pastorsioneofahemooni (wrote 2 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/11/2009 04:36 am

There was darkness,emptiness .There was no form or shape.
God gives the light.
God gives the shape.
The earth is inhabited.-All things happened in Genesis 1.
There is darkness,emptiness & confusion in the life of a person who is not born again.The problem is in the heart.It is the sin problem.Jer.17:9;Mark 7:20-23.Please read Eph.5:8;4:18,19;Col.1:13;1 Pet.2:9.
Spiritual birth is the work of the Holy Spirit.1 Cor.6:11.We are born of God.John1:13.
God brings order & beauty in the life of a regenerated person.He gives the light.Rom.6:4;2 Cor.5::17;Gal.6:15;Eph.4:22,23;2 Cor.4:6.

By Alex (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 2/11/2009 02:46 am

Cause and effect, chain of events; all of the chaos makes perfect sense:
In verse 1 I suggested that the earth at this point refers to everything that humans can perceive, versus the heaven which sinful humans can’t perceive. The earth is actually the entire universe. This verse describes the state of the universe during this point in time. It was without form (chaotic) and void (empty, no discernable patterns, no life). Consider the dream/vision from the point of view of Moses: Perhaps he saw something like a large drop of water floating in space. The shape of the drop was constantly changing, with nothing but the Spirit of God to keep it in check. People wonder why a God of order would create chaos. One thought is that there is a gap between verse 1 and verse 2. These theorists maintain that the gap was when Satan fell (and dinosaurs roamed), and the earth had to be sterilized as a result. I don’t hold to the gap theory. Describing the universe as chaotic does not mean what most people think. Chaos Theory is helpful in this case. Basically, Chaos Theory deals with predictability in complex systems. Wikipedia states: “Systems that exhibit mathematical chaos are deterministic and thus orderly in some sense; this technical use of the word chaos is at odds with common parlance, which suggests complete disorder.” To view the complete entry go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory. For the layman – chaos is a misnomer and it is actually Order Theory (chaos just sounds cooler). Chaos/random/discord/imbalance in this case is actually order/pattern/harmony/balance that humans can’t comprehend.
Regarding darkness: Actually darkness is defined as the absence of light. Light has not been created, or called forth, yet. So, no light – no darkness. Regarding the face of the deep: How can something without form have a face/surface? The surface is in a state of flux – imagine again the water drop in space.
The Spirit of God is the Ruwach of ‘Elohiym. ‘Elohiym is the same plural noun discussed in verse 1. Ruwach, interestingly, is a feminine noun. By the way – I think that Shekinah is also a feminine noun, and refers to God when He/She lead the Exodus as a pillar of smoke/fire and the same Spirit indwelled the Tabernacle. However, the term Shekinah is not in the Bible.
Finally, consider the waters. Water can be another way to describe chaos or someone who is fickle. But not always - Jesus described Himself as water because He gives life. It is also a good symbol of humbleness because water finds the lowest place. In this verse, water describes the tempest of energy that was revealed to Moses. Think of the Spirit upon the waters as a hen sitting on an egg. Or, if you prefer, a giant invisible space hen protecting a fluctuating egg of energy. The word to keep in mind: Anticipation. Alexander Pope wrote a nice poem that summarizes the Order of Chaos view:
“All nature is but art, unknown to thee;
All chance, direction, which thou canst not see;
All discord, harmony not understood;
All partial evil universal good;
And, spite of pride, in erring reason’s spite,
One truth is clear whatever is, is right.”
Essay on Man

By Terik Q (wrote 65 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 2/10/2009 16:43 pm

RE: “How can you connect Gen1: 2 to Mk7:1-13?”

I have no clue. (Is this a Socratic question?) If I had to guess I would say the following:

(1) Just like the Pharisees, this verse describes something that wasn’t quite complete. The pharisees had the externals, but not the true internal religion of the heart.

(2) Perhaps it alludes to the Gap Theory? Many believe there is a gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. This view was popularized by the wide acceptance of evolution. Thus “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:13)
Or in other words, they interpreted the Bible by the world instead of interpreting the world by the Bible.

I hope you’ll forgive this feeble attempt at answering your question. I am curious as to the context from which this question arises. thank you.

http://jasoneldersblog.wordpress.com/

By Jason W. Elder (wrote 314 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 2/8/2009 18:34 pm

How can you connect Gen1: 2 to Mk7:1-13. Thank you for the response.

By Jean Baptiste (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 2/8/2009 07:40 am

And the earth was without form and void. I shall not be very solicitous about the exposition of these two epithets, whwt, (tohu,) and whwb, (bohu.) The Hebrews use them when they designate anything empty and confused, or vain, and nothing worth. Undoubtedly Moses placed them both in opposition to all those created objects which pertain to the form, the ornament and the perfection of the world. Were we now to take away, I say, from the earth all that God added after the time here alluded to, then we should have this rude and unpolished, or rather shapeless chaos. Therefore I regard what he immediately subjoins that "darkness was upon the face of the abyss," as a part of that confused emptiness: because the light began to give some external appearance to the world. For the same reason he calls it the abyss and waters , since in that mass of matter nothing was solid or stable, nothing distinct.
And the Spirit of God . Interpreters have wrested this passage in various ways. The opinion of some that it means the wind, is too frigid to require refutation. They who understand by it the Eternal Spirit of God, do rightly; yet all do not attain the meaning of Moses in the connection of his discourse; hence arise the various interpretations of the participle tpxrm, (merachepeth.) I will, in the first place, state what (in my judgment) Moses intended. We have already heard that before God had perfected the world it was an undigested mass; he now teaches that the power of the Spirit was necessary in order to sustain it. For this doubt might occur to the mind, how such a disorderly heap could stand; seeing that we now behold the world preserved by government, or order. He therefore asserts that this mass, however confused it might be, was rendered stable, for the time, by the secret efficacy of the Spirit. Now there are two significations of the Hebrew word which suit the present place; either that the spirit moved and agitated itself over the waters, for the sake of putting forth vigor; or that He brooded over them to cherish them. 13 Inasmuch as it makes little difference in the result, whichever of these explanations is preferred, let the reader’s judgment be left free. But if that chaos required the secret inspiration of God to prevent its speedy dissolution; how could this order, so fair and distinct, subsist by itself, unless it derived strength elsewhere? Therefore, that Scripture must be fulfilled,
‘Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and thou shalt renew the face of the earth,’ (Psalm 104:30;)
so, on the other hand, as soon as the Lord takes away his Spirit, all things return to their dust and vanish away, (Psalm 104:29.)

By John Calvin (wrote 19 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 10/20/2008 07:23 am

In regards to the theory that millions of years transpired between Gen.1:1 and Gen.1:2, does anyone have any Scripture references that “hint” at this possibilty?

By Donald (wrote 2 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/21/2008 20:12 pm

It appears that when God created the heavens and the earth, he created them as a formless mass, all of the ground was beneath the waters. Thus, he calls forth the dry ground in verse 9 by separating the waters.

Many early writers interpreted the Spirit of God moving upon the face of the waters as being a way in which the Holy Spirit, in the very beginning cut away the excuses that some men still use against baptism today. Peter in Acts 2:38 promises “the gift of the Holy Spirit” to those who beleive in Jesus, repent, and are baptized as an appeal for forgiveness of sins. But some men say, “Of what worth is water baptism?” In his great wisdom, God has shown us the Spirit riding upon the waters at the beginning, to show that there is no impropriety in his being given as a gift to those believers who in repentance submit to water baptism. The Spirit moving upon the waters fights against Gnosticism, the notion that the material world is evil and God cannot interact with it or use it. This notion (Gnosticism) of course was instrumental in the creation of the modern doctrine that baptism is worthless because it involves a material substance. But the Spirit of God, in the very beginning decided to put such foolish notions away from us, in that he moved upon the material waters.

By jk (wrote 36 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 4/19/2008 21:33 pm

When we first believe, then read, study and meditate on those things, ‘is when God reveals to us a clear understanding about how great and vast He is. Lucifer thought that he had an ideal as to the secrets and identity to and of God which resulted to his fall. In Gen. 1:2 “Spirit of God” is a powerful statement. My queston to you David is, “was this the same Spirit that was apart of Jesus resurrection? Being that Jesus arose having defeated life and death, also having the keys to heaven and earth, ‘all power was given Him. Yet, it’s when we think we know in concerns to God the Father, is when we find our answer through and in Jesus, “the One who was there in the beginning. Therefore, I feel as though, “no mater how you declare the Holy Trinity, ‘in Spirit, I can only see “ONE” and that’s God in All.

By andrew delk (wrote 4 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/13/2007 10:04 am

I can understand parts of your commentary BUT I’m looking for a little more elaboration on this part of Genesis 1:2…..And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

I would like to know what you think about what the (face of the waters means)? Strong’s definition doesn’t clarify anything to me, and Some theorists claim it was a flood, however, there is no evidence of such as in Noah’s Flood. If possible, I would like an answer ASAP…..Thanking you now for a response.

By Carmen (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 9/7/2007 11:43 am

This verse sets the stage after the initial creation. The Spirit of God moves across a formless, void “blank slate” to the inner most parts where nothing exists - AND connects God’s intent as his Spirit moved to create form. God is responsible for all life and its form as he gives birth to every new living thing.

By Sharon Corea (wrote 5 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/6/2007 06:33 am