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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 1:8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 1:8 - The Second Day" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="God called the expanse sky. And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/1-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/1-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/1-7.htm" title="Genesis 1:7">◄</a> Genesis 1:8 <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm" title="Genesis 1:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />God called the vault &#8220sky.&#8221 And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />God called the space “sky.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse “heaven.” And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse [of sky] heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse “sky.” Evening came and then morning: the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse &#8220sky.&#8221 Evening came and then morning: the second day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and named it "Sky." Evening came, then morning--that was the second day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />God named [what was above] the horizon [sky]. There was evening, then morning-a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He named the dome "Sky." Evening passed and morning came--that was the second day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />God called the canopy "sky." The twilight and the dawn were the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse ?sky.? And there was evening, and there was morning?the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse "sky." There was evening, and there was morning, a second day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And God called the expanse Sky. And God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and the morning were the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />God called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And God calls the expanse “Heavens”; and there is an evening, and there is a morning—[the] second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And God calleth to the expanse 'Heavens;' and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day second.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And God will call to the firmament the heavens: and the evening shall be, and the morning shall be the second day.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And God called the firmament, Heaven; and the evening and morning were the second day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And God called the firmament ‘Heaven.’ And it became evening and morning, the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />God called the dome “sky.” Evening came, and morning followed—the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And God called the sky, Heaven; and it was evening and it was dawn, day second.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And God called the firmament Heaven, and God saw that it was good, and there was evening and there was morning, the second day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=50" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/1.htm">The Second Day</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">called</a> <a href="/hebrew/7549.htm" title="7549: lā·rā·qî·a‘ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- An extended surface, expanse. From raqa'; properly, an expanse, i.e. The firmament or visible arch of the sky.">the expanse</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: šā·mā·yim (N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">“sky.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">And there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/6153.htm" title="6153: ‘e·reḇ (N-ms) -- Evening. From arab; dusk.">evening,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: ḇō·qer (N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">morning—</a> <a href="/hebrew/8145.htm" title="8145: šê·nî (Number-oms) -- Second (an ord. number). From shanah; properly, double, i.e. Second; also adverbially, again.">the second</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.” And it was so.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Isaiah 40:22</a></span><br />He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/26-7.htm">Job 26:7-10</a></span><br />He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth upon nothing. / He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight. / He covers the face of the full moon, spreading over it His cloud. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-12.htm">Jeremiah 10:12</a></span><br />The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Proverbs 8:27-29</a></span><br />I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, / when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, / when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">Psalm 33:6</a></span><br />By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-18.htm">Isaiah 45:18</a></span><br />For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4-11</a></span><br />Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? / On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-2.htm">Psalm 104:2-3</a></span><br />He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, / laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-6.htm">Amos 9:6</a></span><br />He builds His upper rooms in the heavens and founds His vault upon the earth. He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth. The LORD is His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-5.htm">2 Peter 3:5</a></span><br />But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Hebrews 11:3</a></span><br />By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a></span><br />In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-11.htm">Revelation 4:11</a></span><br />“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.</p><p class="hdg">God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-5.htm">Genesis 1:5,10</a></b></br> And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/5-2.htm">Genesis 5:2</a></b></br> Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.</p><p class="hdg">evening.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-5.htm">Genesis 1:5,13,19,23,31</a></b></br> And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Arch</a> <a href="/genesis/1-5.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Expanse</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Firmament</a> <a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/genesis/1-5.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/revelation/21-19.htm">Second</a> <a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">Sky</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Arch</a> <a href="/genesis/1-13.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Expanse</a> <a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Firmament</a> <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/genesis/1-13.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/genesis/2-13.htm">Second</a> <a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">Sky</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">God creates heaven and earth;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-3.htm">the light;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-6.htm">the firmament;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-9.htm">separates the dry land;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">forms the sun, moon, and stars;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">fishes and fowls;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-24.htm">cattle, wild beasts, and creeping things;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">creates man in his own image, blesses him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">grants the fruits of the earth for food.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>God called the expanse “sky.”</b><br>In the creation narrative, God names the expanse "sky," indicating His authority and sovereignty over creation. The act of naming in ancient Near Eastern cultures often signified dominion and understanding. The Hebrew word for "expanse" is "raqia," which can also be translated as "firmament." This term suggests a vast, stretched-out space, separating the waters above from the waters below, as described in <a href="/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6-7</a>. The concept of the sky as a dome or firmament was common in ancient cosmology, reflecting the understanding of the universe at the time. The sky is a testament to God's creative power and order, setting the stage for the life that will inhabit the earth. This naming also connects to other scriptural references where God demonstrates His control over the heavens, such as in <a href="/psalms/19.htm">Psalm 19:1</a>, which declares the heavens as proclaiming the glory of God.<p><b>And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.</b><br>The phrase "there was evening, and there was morning" establishes the pattern of a day in the creation account. This sequence emphasizes the orderly process of creation, with each day having a distinct beginning and end. The use of "evening" and "morning" suggests a literal day, reinforcing the rhythm and structure God instills in creation. The mention of the "second day" indicates the progression and unfolding of God's creative work. This day marks the completion of the separation of waters and the establishment of the sky, preparing the environment for the subsequent acts of creation. The repetition of this phrase throughout <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a> underscores the intentionality and purposefulness of God's actions. It also foreshadows the Sabbath rest on the seventh day, highlighting the importance of rest and completion in God's design.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Creator, who is actively involved in the formation of the universe. In <a href="/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8</a>, God is the one who names the expanse "sky."<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_expanse.htm">The Expanse (Sky)</a></b><br>The firmament created by God to separate the waters above from the waters below. It is a significant part of the creation account, representing the order and structure God brings to the universe.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_second_day.htm">The Second Day</a></b><br>This marks the continuation of the creation process, emphasizing the methodical and purposeful nature of God's work.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Creation</a></b><br><a href="/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8</a> reminds us of God's ultimate authority and control over the universe. He names the sky, demonstrating His power to define and order creation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_naming.htm">The Importance of Naming</a></b><br>In the biblical context, naming signifies authority and purpose. By naming the expanse "sky," God assigns it a role within His creation, reminding us of the intentionality behind His works.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_rhythm_of_creation.htm">The Rhythm of Creation</a></b><br>The mention of evening and morning on the second day highlights the structured and rhythmic nature of God's creative process, encouraging us to seek order and purpose in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflection_of_god's_glory.htm">Reflection of God's Glory</a></b><br>The sky, as part of God's creation, reflects His glory and majesty. We are called to recognize and appreciate the beauty and order of the natural world as a reflection of God's character.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">God called the firmament (the expanse) Heaven.</span>--This is a Saxon word, and means <span class= "ital">something heaved up. </span>The Hebrew probably means the <span class= "ital">heights, </span>or upper regions, into which the walls of cities nevertheless ascend (<a href="/deuteronomy/1-28.htm" title="Where shall we go up? our brothers have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.">Deuteronomy 1:28</a>). In <a href="/genesis/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.">Genesis 1:1</a>, "the heaven" may include the abysmal regions of space; here it means the atmosphere round our earth, which, at a distance of about forty-five miles from the surface, melts away into the imponderable ether. The work of the second day is not described as being good, though the LXX. add this usual formula. Probably, however, the work of the second and third days is regarded as one. In both there was a separation of waters; but it was only when the open expanse reached the earth's surface, and reduced its temperature, that water could exist in any other form than that of vapour. But no sooner did it exist in a fluid form than the pressure of the atmosphere would make it seek the lowest level. The cooling, moreover, of the earth's surface would produce cracks and fissures, into which the waters would descend, and when these processes were well advanced, then at the end of the third day "God saw that it was good."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And God called the firmament heaven</span>. Literally, the heights, <span class="accented">shamayim</span>, as in ver. 1. "This," says Principal Dawson, "may be regarded as an intimation that no definite barrier separates our film of atmosphere from the boundless abyss of heaven without;" and how appropriate the designation "heights" is, as applied to the atmosphere, we are reminded by science, which informs us that, after rising to the height of forty-five miles above the earth, it becomes imperceptible, and loses itself in the universal ether with which it is surrounded. <span class="cmt_word">And the evening and the morning were the second day.</span> For the literal rendering of this clause see on ver. 5, It is observable that in connection with the second day's work the usual formula, "And God saw that it was good," is omitted. The "<span class="greek">καὶ εἰδεν ὁ θεος ὅτι</span> <span class="greek">καλόν</span> of the Septuagint is unsupported by any ancient version. The conceit of the Rabbis, that an expression of the Divine approbation was omitted because on this day the angels fell, requires no refutation. Aben Ezra accounts for its omission by making the second day's work terminate with ver. 10. Lange asks, "Had the prophetic author some anticipation that the blue vault was merely an appearance, whilst the sarans of the Septuagint had no such anticipation, and therefore proceeded to doctor the passage?" The explanation of Calvin, Delitzsch, Macdonald, and Alford, though declared by Kalisch to be of no weight, is probably the correct one, that the work begun on the second day was not properly terminated till the middle of the third, at which place, accordingly, the expression of Divine approbation is introduced (see ver. 10). <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">called</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֧א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the expanse</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽרָקִ֖יעַ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·rā·qî·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7549.htm">Strong's 7549: </a> </span><span class="str2">An expanse, the firmament, visible arch of the sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“sky.”</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמָ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And there was</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְהִי־</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evening,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֥רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6153.htm">Strong's 6153: </a> </span><span class="str2">Evening</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [there was] morning—</span><br /><span class="heb">בֹ֖קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇō·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dawn, morning</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the second</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁנִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(šê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - ordinal masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8145.htm">Strong's 8145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Second (an ordinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day.</span><br /><span class="heb">י֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/1-8.htm">Genesis 1:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/1-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 1:8 God called the expanse sky (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 1:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>