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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 1:6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/1-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/01_Gen_01_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 1:6 - The Second Day" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And God said, Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.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/1-5.htm" title="Genesis 1:5">◄</a> Genesis 1:6 <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm" title="Genesis 1:7">►</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 />And God said, &#8220Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then God said, &#8220Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And God said, “Let there be an expanse [of the sky] in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters [below the expanse] from the waters [above the expanse].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God said, &#8220Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God said, "I command a dome to separate the water above it from the water below it." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then God said, "Let there be a horizon in the middle of the water in order to separate the water."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then God said, "Let there be a canopy between bodies of water, separating bodies of water from bodies of water!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And God said, ?Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters and let it separate water from water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." And it was so. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” <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 says, “Let an expanse be in the midst of the waters, and let it be separating between waters and waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And God saith, 'Let an expanse be in the midst of the waters, and let it be separating between waters and waters.'<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 say there shall be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and there shall be a separating between waters to waters.<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 said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />God also said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide waters from waters.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then God said: Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”<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 said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And God said, “The sky shall be in the middle of the waters, and will be separating between the waters unto the waters.”<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 said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water, and let it be a division between water and water, and it was so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/1-6.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=35" 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">5</span>God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. <span class="reftext">6</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">And God</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yə·hî (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">“Let there be</a> <a href="/hebrew/7549.htm" title="7549: rā·qî·a‘ (N-ms) -- An extended surface, expanse. From raqa'; properly, an expanse, i.e. The firmament or visible arch of the sky.">an expanse</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·wḵ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">between</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wî·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Jus-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/914.htm" title="914: maḇ·dîl (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be divided, separate. A primitive root; to divide.">separate</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên (Prep) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: lā·mā·yim (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">from the waters.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. 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/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="/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="/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="/job/26-10.htm">Job 26:10</a></span><br />He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.<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="/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/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="/job/37-18.htm">Job 37:18</a></span><br />can you, like Him, spread out the skies, as strong as a mirror of bronze?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">Isaiah 42:5</a></span><br />This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:<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="/john/1-3.htm">John 1:3</a></span><br />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="/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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-6.htm">Nehemiah 9:6</a></span><br />You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/148-4.htm">Psalm 148:4-5</a></span><br />Praise Him, O highest heavens, and you waters above the skies. / Let them praise the name of the LORD, for He gave the command and they 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 said, Let there be a firmament in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.</p><p class="hdg">Let there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Genesis 1:14,20</a></b></br> And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/7-11.htm">Genesis 7:11,12</a></b></br> In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/26-7.htm">Job 26:7,8,13</a></b></br> He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, <i>and</i> hangeth the earth upon nothing… </p><p class="hdg">firmament.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Arch</a> <a href="/jude/1-19.htm">Divide</a> <a href="/genesis/1-4.htm">Division</a> <a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Expanse</a> <a href="/mark/13-25.htm">Firmament</a> <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/acts/28-25.htm">Parting</a> <a href="/jude/1-19.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-21.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/revelation/21-18.htm">Solid</a> <a href="/philippians/3-13.htm">Stretching</a> <a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Arch</a> <a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Divide</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Division</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Expanse</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Firmament</a> <a href="/genesis/2-9.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/genesis/2-9.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-30.htm">Parting</a> <a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/genesis/14-15.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-21.htm">Solid</a> <a href="/genesis/10-19.htm">Stretching</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Water</a> <a href="/genesis/1-7.htm">Waters</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'; 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The act of speaking creation into existence highlights the divine nature of God, who creates effortlessly. This is consistent with other biblical passages, such as <a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">Psalm 33:6</a>, which states, "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made." The concept of God's word as a creative force is foundational in Christian theology, as seen in <a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1-3</a>, where Jesus is identified as the Word through whom all things were made.<p><b>“Let there be an expanse</b><br>The term "expanse" refers to the sky or firmament, a concept understood in ancient Near Eastern cosmology as a solid dome that separates the heavens from the earth. This reflects the worldview of the time, where the sky was seen as a physical structure. Theologically, the expanse signifies order and structure in creation, separating different realms and preparing the earth for habitation.<p><b>between the waters,</b><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, water often symbolized chaos and disorder. By creating an expanse between the waters, God is depicted as bringing order to chaos, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. This separation is a precursor to the further ordering of creation, as seen in the subsequent days. The imagery of God controlling the waters is echoed in passages like <a href="/psalms/104-6.htm">Psalm 104:6-9</a>, where God sets boundaries for the seas.<p><b>to separate the waters from the waters.”</b><br>This separation of waters above and below the expanse is a key element in the biblical creation narrative, emphasizing God's sovereignty over the natural world. The "waters above" are often associated with the source of rain, essential for life and agriculture, while the "waters below" refer to seas and oceans. This act of separation is mirrored in the parting of the Red Sea in <a href="/exodus/14.htm">Exodus 14</a>, where God again demonstrates His power over the waters, providing a typological foreshadowing of salvation through Jesus Christ, who calms the storm in <a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39</a>, showing His authority over creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Creator, who speaks creation into existence. His authority and power are evident as He commands the formation of the expanse.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_expanse.htm">The Expanse</a></b><br>Also known as the "firmament," this is the space created by God to separate the waters above from the waters below. In Hebrew, the word used is (raqia), which implies something spread out or stretched.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/waters.htm">Waters</a></b><br>Refers to the primordial waters that existed before the creation of the expanse. These waters are divided by the expanse into those above and those below.<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>God’s command in <a href="/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6</a> demonstrates His absolute authority over creation. He speaks, and it is done, showing His power and control over the universe.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/order_and_structure_in_creation.htm">Order and Structure in Creation</a></b><br>The separation of waters by the expanse illustrates God’s intention for order and structure in the world. This reflects His nature as a God of order, not chaos.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_creation.htm">The Purpose of Creation</a></b><br>The creation of the expanse serves a specific purpose in God’s design, reminding us that everything God creates has a purpose and place in His plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_word.htm">Faith in God's Word</a></b><br>Just as God’s word brought about the expanse, believers are called to trust in the power and reliability of God’s word in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflection_of_god's_glory.htm">Reflection of God's Glory</a></b><br>The expanse, as part of the heavens, reflects God’s glory and majesty. Believers are encouraged to see creation as a testament to God’s greatness and to worship Him accordingly.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">A firmament.</span>--This is the Latin translation of the Greek word used by the translators of the Septuagint Version. Undoubtedly it means something solid; and such was the idea of the Greeks, and probably also of the Hebrews. As such it appears in the poetry of the Bible, where it is described as a mighty vault of molten glass (<a href="/job/37-18.htm" title="Have you with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?">Job 37:18</a>), upheld by the mountains as pillars (<a href="/job/26-11.htm" title="The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.">Job 26:11</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/22-8.htm" title="Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.">2Samuel 22:8</a>), and having doors and lattices through which the Deity pours forth abundance (<a href="/genesis/7-11.htm" title="In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.">Genesis 7:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/78-23.htm" title="Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,">Psalm 78:23</a>). Even in this "Hymn of Creation" we have poetry, but not expressed in vivid metaphors, but in sober and thoughtful language. Here, therefore, the word rendered "firmament" means an <span class= "ital">expanse. </span>If, as geologists tell us, the earth at this stage was an incandescent mass, this expanse would be the ring of equilibrium, where the heat supplied from below was exactly equal to that given off by radiation into the cold ether above. And gradually this would sink lower and lower, until finally it reached the surface of the earth; and at this point the work of the second day would be complete.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="accented">Day</span> <span class="accented">two</span>. The work of this day consisted in the formation of that immense gaseous ocean, called the atmosphere, by which the earth is encircled. <span class="cmt_word">And God said, Let there be a firmament</span> (<span class="accented">rakiya</span>, an expand, from <span class="accented">rakah</span>, to beat out; LXX., <span class="greek">στερέωμα</span>; Vulgate, <span class="accented">firmamentum</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>in the</span> <span class="cmt_word">midst of the waters</span>. To affirm with Knobel, Gesenius, and others that the Hebrews supposed the atmospheric heavens to be a metallic substance (<a href="/exodus/24-10.htm">Exodus 24:10</a>), a vault fixed on the water-flood which surrounds the earth (<a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Proverbs 8:27</a>), firm as a molten looking-glass (<a href="/job/37-18.htm">Job 37:18</a>), borne by the highest mountains, which are therefore called the pillars and foundations of heaven (<a href="/2_samuel/22-8.htm">2 Samuel 22:8</a>), and having doors and windows (<a href="/genesis/7-11.htm">Genesis 7:11</a>; <a href="/genesis/28-17.htm">Genesis 28:17</a>; <a href="/psalms/78-23.htm">Psalm 78:23</a>), is to confound poetical metaphor with literal prose, optical and phenomenal language with strict scientific statement. The Vulgate and English translations of <span class="accented">rakiya</span> may convey the idea of solidity, though it is doubtful if <span class="greek">στερέωμα</span> (LXX.) does not signify that which <span class="accented">makes</span> firm as well as that which is made firm (McCaul, Wordsworth, W. Lewis), thus referring to the well-known scientific fact that the atmosphere by its weight upon the waters of the sea keeps them down, and by its pressure against our bodies keeps them up; but it is certain that not <span class="accented">solidity</span>, but <span class="accented">expansiveness</span>, <span class="accented">is</span> the idea represented by <span class="accented">rakiya</span> (cf. Scottish, tax, to stretch; <a href="/job/37-18.htm">Job 37:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-2.htm">Psalm 104:2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Isaiah 40:22</a>). <p><span class="accented">"The firmament, expanse of liquid, pure,<br />Transparent, elemental air, diffused<br />In circuit to the uttermost convex Of this great round."</span><br /><br />(<span class="note_acc">Milton, 'Par. Lost,' Bk. 7.</span>) <span class="cmt_word">And let it divide the waters from the waters</span>. What these waters were, which were designed to be parted by the atmospheric firmament, is explained in the verse which follows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/1-6.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">And God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֔ים</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">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Let there be</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - 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">an expanse</span><br /><span class="heb">רָקִ֖יעַ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·qî·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">between</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּת֣וֹךְ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯō·wḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bisection, the centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the waters,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּ֑יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">וִיהִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(wî·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - 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">separate</span><br /><span class="heb">מַבְדִּ֔יל</span> <span class="translit">(maḇ·dîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_914.htm">Strong's 914: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be divided, separate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the waters</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֖יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the waters.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לָמָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/1-6.htm">Genesis 1:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/1-6.htm">OT Law: Genesis 1:6 God said Let there be an expanse (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/1-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 1:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 1:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/1-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 1:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 1:7" /></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>