Topical Bible: Earth: Primitive Condition of

◄ Earth: Primitive Condition of ►

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The primitive condition of the Earth, as described in the Bible, is a subject of great interest and theological significance. The opening verses of the Book of Genesis provide the foundational account of the Earth's initial state before the creative acts of God brought order and life.

Genesis 1:1-2: The Bible begins with the profound declaration, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters" . This passage introduces the Earth as "formless and void," a state of chaos and emptiness, indicating the absence of structure and life. The Hebrew terms "tohu" (formless) and "bohu" (void) suggest a desolate and uninhabitable condition.

Darkness and the Deep: The presence of darkness "over the surface of the deep" further emphasizes the Earth's initial state. Darkness, in biblical symbolism, often represents disorder and the absence of divine light. The "deep" (Hebrew: "tehom") refers to the primordial waters, a chaotic abyss that covered the Earth. This imagery of the deep is significant in ancient Near Eastern cosmology, where chaotic waters often symbolize the forces of disorder that God must subdue.

The Spirit of God: Despite the initial chaos, the Spirit of God is described as "hovering over the waters." This imagery conveys a sense of anticipation and divine presence, suggesting that God is about to bring order and purpose to the chaotic Earth. The hovering of the Spirit indicates God's active involvement and sovereign control over creation.

Subsequent Creation: Following this description of the Earth's primitive condition, the biblical narrative details the successive acts of creation, where God speaks order into existence. Light is created, separating day from night, and the firmament is established to divide the waters. Dry land appears, and vegetation, celestial bodies, animals, and ultimately humans are created, transforming the Earth from its initial formlessness into a structured and life-sustaining world.

Theological Implications: The primitive condition of the Earth underscores the power and sovereignty of God as the Creator. It highlights the transition from chaos to order, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. The initial state of the Earth serves as a backdrop for understanding God's creative work and His ability to bring life and purpose out of nothingness.

Related Scriptures: Other biblical passages echo the themes of creation and the transformation of chaos into order. For instance, Psalm 104:5-9 reflects on God's establishment of the Earth and the boundaries of the waters. Similarly, Job 38:4-11 describes God's command over the sea and the foundations of the Earth, reinforcing the notion of divine authority over creation.

In summary, the Bible's depiction of the Earth's primitive condition as formless, void, and shrouded in darkness sets the stage for the divine acts of creation that follow. It emphasizes God's role as the ultimate Creator who brings order, life, and purpose to the universe.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 1:6,7
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
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Job 26:7
He stretches out the north over the empty place, and hangs the earth on nothing.
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Psalm 104:5-9
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
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Library

Christ's Millennial and Heavenly Glory in Company with his Saints.
... Besides, your Christ promises to the Jews their primitive condition, with the recovery
of ... that our inquiry relates to what is promised in heaven, not on earth. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxv christs millennial and heavenly.htm

The Gods Human at First. Who had the Authority to Make them Divine ...
... they chose to be in an inferior condition at first ... heaven was opened to men of the
primitive age because ... without the importunity of any one the earth would bear ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xiii name gods human.htm

The Cleansing of the Earth.
... be renovated, and return to a better condition." He also ... which shall be restored
to their primitive state, viz ... his stature, the fruits of the earth, the fruits ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the cleansing of the earth.htm

Hearts and Treasures
... He had just said, 'Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and ... little
hoard of gold and silver, point also to a primitive condition of society ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/hearts and treasures.htm

Elucidations.
... the priest." He allows that this latter condition was not ... not the power to forgive
sins on Earth; God only ... is significant and a token of Primitive doctrine: ie ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on repentance/elucidations.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... is purchased, pardon granted, the soul is restored unto its primitive condition
and state of ... of mankind, all seems new""new heavens, and new earth," and that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi my little children.htm

Empedocles Increased the Absurdity of Pythagoras by Developing the ...
... then, shall that (human) soul which cleaves to the earth, and is ... metensomatosis,
when it undergoes it by remaining unchanged in its own (primitive) condition. ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxii empedocles increased the absurdity.htm

"The Earth was Invisible and Unfinished. "
... live in darkness, but enjoyed a condition fitted for ... that God created the heavens,
the earth, water, and ... of the sun, but following this primitive light spread ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ii the earth was.htm

Inseparable Connection Between the Old and the New Testament.
... The primitive history of man's apostacy contains, then, the ... makes the universality
of man's fallen condition through the ... all the nations of the earth be blessed ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter viii inseparable connection between.htm

The Friend at Midnight.
... in communion with the Father, which seemed to them like heaven upon earth. ... The picture
refers to a simple, primitive condition of society, and reveals ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xviii the friend at midnight.htm