1 In the beginning H7225 God H430 created H1254 H853 the heaven H8064 and H853 the earth. H776
Through faith G4102 we understand G3539 that the worlds G165 were framed G2675 by the word G4487 of God, G2316 so G1519 that things which G3588 are seen G991 were G1096 not G3361 made G1096 of G1537 things which do appear. G5316
For thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 that created H1254 the heavens; H8064 God H430 himself that formed H3335 the earth H776 and made H6213 it; he hath established H3559 it, he created H1254 it not in vain, H8414 he formed H3335 it to be inhabited: H3427 I am the LORD; H3068 and there is none else.
In G1722 the beginning G746 was G2258 the Word, G3056 and G2532 the Word G3056 was G2258 with G4314 God, G2316 and G2532 the Word G3056 was G2258 God. G2316 The same G3778 was G2258 in G1722 the beginning G746 with G4314 God. G2316 All things G3956 were made G1096 by G1223 him; G846 and G2532 without G5565 him G846 was G1096 not G3761 any thing G1520 made G1096 that G3739 was made. G1096
Where H375 wast thou when I laid the foundations H3245 of the earth? H776 declare, H5046 if thou hast H3045 understanding. H998
Thus saith H559 God H410 the LORD, H3068 he that created H1254 the heavens, H8064 and stretched them out; H5186 he that spread forth H7554 the earth, H776 and that which cometh out H6631 of it; he that giveth H5414 breath H5397 unto the people H5971 upon it, and spirit H7307 to them that walk H1980 therein:
And, G2532 Thou, G4771 Lord, G2962 in G2596 the beginning G746 hast laid the foundation G2311 of the earth; G1093 and G2532 the heavens G3772 are G1526 the works G2041 of thine G4675 hands: G5495
God G2316 that made G4160 the world G2889 and G2532 all things G3956 therein, G1722 G846 seeing that he G3778 is G5225 Lord G2962 of heaven G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 dwelleth G2730 not G3756 in G1722 temples G3485 made with hands; G5499
For G3754 by G1722 him G846 were G2936 all things G3956 created, G2936 that are in G1722 heaven, G3772 and G2532 that are in G1909 earth, G1093 visible G3707 and G2532 invisible, G517 whether G1535 they be thrones, G2362 or G1535 dominions, G2963 or G1535 principalities, G746 or G1535 powers: G1849 all things G3956 were created G2936 by G1223 him, G846 and G2532 for G1519 him: G846 And G2532 he G846 is G2076 before G4253 all things, G3956 and G2532 by G1722 him G846 all things G3956 consist. G4921
For in six H8337 days H3117 the LORD H3068 made H6213 heaven H8064 and earth, H776 the sea, H3220 and all that in them is, and rested H5117 the seventh H7637 day: H3117 wherefore the LORD H3068 blessed H1288 the sabbath H7676 day, H3117 and hallowed H6942 it.
Thou, even thou, art LORD H3068 alone; thou hast made H6213 heaven, H8064 the heaven H8064 of heavens, H8064 with all their host, H6635 the earth, H776 and all things that are therein, the seas, H3220 and all that is therein, and thou preservest H2421 them all; and the host H6635 of heaven H8064 worshippeth H7812 thee.
To him that by wisdom H8394 made H6213 the heavens: H8064 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769
Thus saith H559 the LORD, H3068 thy redeemer, H1350 and he that formed H3335 thee from the womb, H990 I am the LORD H3068 that maketh H6213 all things; that stretcheth forth H5186 the heavens H8064 alone; that spreadeth abroad H7554 the earth H776 by myself;
And G2532 saying, G3004 Sirs, G435 why G5101 do ye G4160 these things? G5130 We G2249 also G2532 are G2070 men G444 of like passions G3663 with you, G5213 and preach G2097 unto you G5209 that ye should turn G1994 from G575 these G5023 vanities G3152 unto G1909 the living G2198 God, G2316 which G3739 made G4160 heaven, G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 and G2532 the sea, G2281 and G2532 all things G3956 that are therein: G1722 G846
He hath made H6213 the earth H776 by his power, H3581 he hath established H3559 the world H8398 by his wisdom, H2451 and hath stretched out H5186 the heaven H8064 by his understanding. H8394
Ye are blessed H1288 of the LORD H3068 which made H6213 heaven H8064 and earth. H776
Saying G3004 with G1722 a loud G3173 voice, G5456 Fear G5399 God, G2316 and G2532 give G1325 glory G1391 to him; G846 for G3754 the hour G5610 of his G846 judgment G2920 is come: G2064 and G2532 worship G4352 him that made G4160 heaven, G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 and G2532 the sea, G2281 and G2532 the fountains G4077 of waters. G5204
Ah H162 Lord H136 GOD! H3069 behold, thou hast made H6213 the heaven H8064 and the earth H776 by thy great H1419 power H3581 and stretched out H5186 arm, H2220 and there is nothing H1697 too hard H6381 for thee:
He hath made H6213 the earth H776 by his power, H3581 he hath established H3559 the world H8398 by his wisdom, H2451 and hath stretched out H5186 the heavens H8064 by his discretion. H8394
The LORD H3068 possessed H7069 me in the beginning H7225 of his way, H1870 before H6924 his works H4659 of old. I was set up H5258 from everlasting, H5769 from the beginning, H7218 or ever H6924 the earth H776 was. When there were no depths, H8415 I was brought forth; H2342 when there were no fountains H4599 abounding H3513 with water. H4325 Before the mountains H2022 were settled, H2883 before H6440 the hills H1389 was I brought forth: H2342 While as yet he had not made H6213 the earth, H776 nor the fields, H2351 nor the highest part H7218 of the dust H6083 of the world. H8398 When he prepared H3559 the heavens, H8064 I was there: when he set H2710 a compass H2329 upon the face H6440 of the depth: H8415 When he established H553 the clouds H7834 above: H4605 when he strengthened H5810 the fountains H5869 of the deep: H8415 When he gave H7760 to the sea H3220 his decree, H2706 that the waters H4325 should not pass H5674 his commandment: H6310 when he appointed H2710 the foundations H4144 of the earth: H776 Then I was by him, H681 as one brought up H525 with him: and I was daily H3117 H3117 his delight, H8191 rejoicing H7832 always H6256 before H6440 him;
The burden H4853 of the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 for Israel, H3478 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 which stretcheth H5186 forth the heavens, H8064 and layeth the foundation H3245 of the earth, H776 and formeth H3335 the spirit H7307 of man H120 within H7130 him.
And forgettest H7911 the LORD H3068 thy maker, H6213 that hath stretched forth H5186 the heavens, H8064 and laid the foundations H3245 of the earth; H776 and hast feared H6342 continually H8548 every day H3117 because H6440 of the fury H2534 of the oppressor, H6693 as if H834 he were ready H3559 to destroy? H7843 and where is the fury H2534 of the oppressor? H6693
Lift up H5375 your eyes H5869 on high, H4791 and behold H7200 who hath created H1254 these things, that bringeth out H3318 their host H6635 by number: H4557 he calleth H7121 them all by names H8034 by the greatness H7230 of his might, H202 for that he is strong H533 in power; H3581 not one H376 faileth. H5737
The LORD H3068 by wisdom H2451 hath founded H3245 the earth; H776 by understanding H8394 hath he established H3559 the heavens. H8064
And G2532 sware G3660 by G1722 him that liveth G2198 for G1519 ever G165 and ever, G165 who G3739 created G2936 heaven, G3772 and G2532 the things that therein are, G1722 G846 and G2532 the earth, G1093 and G2532 the things that therein are, G1722 G846 and G2532 the sea, G2281 and G2532 the things which are therein, G1722 G846 that G3754 there should be G2071 time G5550 no G3756 longer: G2089
But G235 to us G2254 there is but one G1520 God, G2316 the Father, G3962 of G1537 whom G3739 are all things, G3956 and G2532 we G2249 in G1519 him; G846 and G2532 one G1520 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 by G1223 whom G3739 are all things, G3956 and G2532 we G2249 by G1223 him. G846
When I consider H7200 thy heavens, H8064 the work H4639 of thy fingers, H676 the moon H3394 and the stars, H3556 which thou hast ordained; H3559
For he spake, H559 and it was done; he commanded, H6680 and it stood fast. H5975
That which G3739 was G2258 from G575 the beginning, G746 which G3739 we have heard, G191 which G3739 we have seen G3708 with our G2257 eyes, G3788 which G3739 we have looked upon, G2300 and G2532 our G2257 hands G5495 have handled, G5584 of G4012 the Word G3056 of life; G2222
Because G1360 that which may be known G1110 of God G2316 is G2076 manifest G5318 in G1722 them; G846 for G1063 God G2316 hath shewed G5319 it unto them. G846 For G1063 the invisible things G517 of him G846 from G575 the creation G2937 of the world G2889 are clearly seen, G2529 being understood G3539 by the things that are made, G4161 even G5037 his G846 eternal G126 power G1411 and G2532 Godhead; G2305 so G1519 that they G846 are G1511 without excuse: G379
And G1161 when they heard that, G191 they lifted up G142 their voice G5456 to G4314 God G2316 with one accord, G3661 and G2532 said, G2036 Lord, G1203 thou G4771 art God, G2316 which G3588 hast made G4160 heaven, G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 and G2532 the sea, G2281 and G2532 all G3956 that in G1722 them is: G846
And I have put H7760 my words H1697 in thy mouth, H6310 and I have covered H3680 thee in the shadow H6738 of mine hand, H3027 that I may plant H5193 the heavens, H8064 and lay the foundations H3245 of the earth, H776 and say H559 unto Zion, H6726 Thou art my people. H5971
Praise H1984 him, ye heavens H8064 of heavens, H8064 and ye waters H4325 that be above the heavens. H8064 Let them praise H1984 the name H8034 of the LORD: H3068 for he commanded, H6680 and they were created. H1254
By the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 were the heavens H8064 made; H6213 and all the host H6635 of them by the breath H7307 of his mouth. H6310
For G1063 every G3956 house G3624 is builded G2680 by G5259 some G5100 man; but G1161 he that built G2680 all things G3956 is God. G2316
For G3754 of G1537 him, G846 and G2532 through G1223 him, G846 and G2532 to G1519 him, G846 are all things: G3956 to whom G846 be glory G1391 for G1519 ever. G165 Amen. G281
The LORD H3068 that made H6213 heaven H8064 and earth H776 bless H1288 thee out of Zion. H6726
For G1063 in those G1565 days G2250 shall be G2071 affliction, G2347 such G5108 as G3634 was G1096 not G3756 from G575 the beginning G746 of the creation G2937 which G3739 God G2316 created G2936 unto G2193 this time, G3568 neither G2532 G3364 shall be. G1096
By his spirit H7307 he hath garnished H8235 the heavens; H8064 his hand H3027 hath formed H2342 the crooked H1281 serpent. H5175
I G1473 am G1510 Alpha G1 and G2532 Omega, G5598 the beginning G746 and G2532 the end, G5056 the first G4413 and G2532 the last. G2078
At G1722 that G1565 time G2540 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said, G2036 I thank G1843 thee, G4671 O Father, G3962 Lord G2962 of heaven G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 because G3754 thou hast hid G613 these things G5023 from G575 the wise G4680 and G2532 prudent, G4908 and G2532 hast revealed G601 them G846 unto babes. G3516
And G2532 he said G2036 unto me, G3427 It is done. G1096 I G1473 am G1510 Alpha G1 and G2532 Omega, G5598 the beginning G746 and G2532 the end. G5056 I G1473 will give G1325 unto him that is athirst G1372 of G1537 the fountain G4077 of the water G5204 of life G2222 freely. G1432
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Genesis 1
Commentary on Genesis 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of
The First Book of Moses, Called Genesis
Chapter 1
The foundation of all religion being laid in our relation to God as our Creator, it was fit that the book of divine revelations which was intended to be the guide, support, and rule, of religion in the world, should begin, as it does, with a plain and full account of the creation of the world-in answer to that first enquiry of a good conscience, "Where is God my Maker?' (Job 35:10). Concerning this the pagan philosophers wretchedly blundered, and became vain in their imaginations, some asserting the world's eternity and self-existence, others ascribing it to a fortuitous concourse of atoms: thus "the world by wisdom knew not God,' but took a great deal of pains to lose him. The holy scripture therefore, designing by revealed religion to maintain and improve natural religion, to repair the decays of it and supply the defects of it, since the fall, for the reviving of the precepts of the law of nature, lays down, at first, this principle of the unclouded light of nature, That this world was, in the beginning of time, created by a Being of infinite wisdom and power, who was himself before all time and all worlds. The entrance into God's word gives this light, Ps. 119:130. The first verse of the Bible gives us a surer and better, a more satisfying and useful, knowledge of the origin of the universe, than all the volumes of the philosophers. The lively faith of humble Christians understands this matter better than the elevated fancy of the greatest wits, Heb. 11:3.
We have three things in this chapter:-
Gen 1:1-2
In these verses we have the work of creation in its epitome and in its embryo.
Gen 1:3-5
We have here a further account of the first day's work, in which observe,
Gen 1:6-8
We have here an account of the second day's work, the creation of the firmament, in which observe,
Gen 1:9-13
The third day's work is related in these verses-the forming of the sea and the dry land, and the making of the earth fruitful. Hitherto the power of the Creator had been exerted and employed about the upper part of the visible word; the light of heaven was kindled, and the firmament of heaven fixed: but now he descends to this lower world, the earth, which was designed for the children of men, designed both for their habitation and for their maintenance; and here we have an account of the fitting of it for both, and building of their house and the spreading of their table. Observe,
Gen 1:14-19
This is the history of the fourth day's work, the creating of the sun, moon, and stars, which are here accounted for, not as they are in themselves and in their own nature, to satisfy the curious, but as they are in relation to this earth, to which they serve as lights; and this is enough to furnish us with matter for praise and thanksgiving. Holy Job mentions this as an instance of the glorious power of God, that by the Spirit he hath garnished the heavens (Job 26:13); and here we have an account of that garniture which is not only so much the beauty of the upper world, but so much the blessing of this lower; for though heaven is high, yet has it respect to this earth, and therefore should have respect from it. Of the creation of the lights of heaven we have an account,
Gen 1:20-23
Each day, hitherto, has produced very noble and excellent beings, which we can never sufficiently admire; but we do not read of the creation of any living creature till the fifth day, of which these verses give us an account. The work of creation not only proceeded gradually from one thing to another, but rose and advanced gradually from that which was less excellent to that which was more so, teaching us to press towards perfection and endeavour that our last works may be our best works. It was on the fifth day that the fish and fowl were created, and both out of the waters. Though there is one kind of flesh of fishes, and another of birds, yet they were made together, and both out of the waters; for the power of the first Cause can produce very different effects from the same second causes. Observe,
Gen 1:24-25
We have here the first part of the sixth day's work. The sea was, the day before, replenished with its fish, and the air with its fowl; and this day were made the beasts of the earth, the cattle, and the creeping things that pertain to the earth. Here, as before,
Gen 1:26-28
We have here the second part of the sixth day's work, the creation of man, which we are, in a special manner, concerned to take notice of, that we may know ourselves. Observe,
Gen 1:29-30
We have here the third part of the sixth day's work, which was not any new creation, but a gracious provision of food for all flesh, Ps. 136:25. He that made man and beast thus took care to preserve both, Ps. 36:6. Here is,
Gen 1:31
We have here the approbation and conclusion of the whole work of creation. As for God, his work is perfect; and if he begin he will also make an end, in providence and grace, as well as here in creation. Observe,