How does Genesis 1:5 define the concept of "day" and "night"? Opening the Page Together Genesis 1 is more than a prologue to Scripture; it is the place where God Himself assigns meaning to the most basic elements of time. Verse 5 is especially clear: “God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” (Berean Standard Bible) What the Verse Says—Word by Word • “God called…” – The Creator names, and His naming establishes reality. • “the light ‘day’…” – Whatever is filled with light is identified as “day.” • “the darkness He called ‘night.’” – The absence of light is defined as “night,” not a lesser form of day but a distinct part of the cycle. • “And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” – A full sequence of darkness followed by light equals one complete day. Key Observations • God Himself sets the definitions. These terms are not human conventions adopted later; they originate with the Maker of time. • Day and night are mutually exclusive yet complementary. One dispels the other, creating a purposeful rhythm. • The cycle begins with “evening” and moves to “morning,” showing a sunset-to-sunset understanding common to ancient Hebrew reckoning. • “The first day” uses the Hebrew word yom accompanied by “evening and morning,” a pairing that consistently points to an ordinary, literal, 24-hour day elsewhere in Scripture. Why This Matters • Foundation for the Weekly Sabbath: The six-day creation pattern (including defined days and nights) grounds the commandment to rest on the seventh day. • Anchor for Biblical Chronology: Accepting these days as literal shapes how we read genealogies, prophecies, and the historical timeline from Adam forward. • Declaration of Divine Order: By distinguishing light from darkness and setting boundaries, God establishes a world that is orderly, measurable, and trustworthy. • Picture of Redemption: Scripture later uses light and darkness as symbols of good and evil. Genesis 1:5 roots those themes in God’s original separation of the two. Takeaway Truths • Day equals “light;” night equals “darkness.” Both exist by God’s sovereign design. • A full day is not complete until both evening and morning have passed—illustrating a literal, cyclical 24-hour period. • Recognizing God’s definition of time invites us to honor His rhythms in work, rest, and worship. |
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