Definition and Significance:
The term "The Beginning" in the biblical context primarily refers to the commencement of creation as described in the Book of Genesis. It signifies the initiation of time, space, and matter by the divine act of God. This foundational event is crucial for understanding the biblical narrative of creation, the nature of God, and the origins of the universe and humanity.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 1:1 : "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse marks the opening of the Bible and sets the stage for the entire scriptural narrative. It affirms the belief in God as the eternal Creator who exists outside of time and space and who brings the universe into existence by His sovereign will.

2. John 1:1-3 : "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." This passage from the Gospel of John echoes the Genesis account, emphasizing the preexistence and divinity of Christ (the Word) and His active role in creation.

3. Hebrews 1:10 : "And: 'In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.'" This verse attributes the creation of the world to the Lord, reinforcing the idea of God's direct involvement in the formation of the universe.

Theological Implications:

· God as Creator: The concept of "The Beginning" underscores the belief in God as the ultimate Creator. It affirms His omnipotence and sovereignty over all creation. The act of creation is seen as a deliberate and purposeful expression of God's will.

· Creation Ex Nihilo: The phrase "In the beginning" supports the doctrine of creation ex nihilo, meaning "creation out of nothing." This doctrine asserts that God did not use pre-existing materials to create the universe but brought everything into existence by His command.

· The Nature of Time: The beginning of creation also marks the beginning of time. God, being eternal, exists outside of time and initiates it as part of His creation. This understanding highlights the transcendence of God over the temporal realm.

· Christ's Role in Creation: The New Testament writings, particularly in John 1 and Colossians 1:16-17, reveal the integral role of Christ in creation. As the Word, Christ is both the agent and sustainer of creation, affirming His divinity and preeminence.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, creation narratives were common, often involving multiple deities and chaotic battles. The biblical account of "The Beginning" stands in contrast by presenting a monotheistic view where a single, all-powerful God creates the universe in an orderly and purposeful manner. This narrative not only establishes the foundation for Judeo-Christian theology but also provides a framework for understanding humanity's place in the world as part of God's creation.

Related Concepts:

· The Fall: Following "The Beginning," the narrative of the Fall in Genesis 3 introduces sin into the world, affecting the created order and humanity's relationship with God.

· New Creation: The theme of "The Beginning" is echoed in the concept of a new creation, as seen in passages like 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Revelation 21:1, where God promises to renew and restore creation through Christ.

· Wisdom Literature: Proverbs 8:22-31 personifies wisdom as present at the beginning of creation, highlighting the order and intentionality of God's creative work.

Conclusion:

The concept of "The Beginning" is foundational to the biblical worldview, shaping the understanding of God, creation, and humanity's role within it. It serves as a starting point for the unfolding narrative of redemption and restoration that permeates the Scriptures.Genesis 1:1-31
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
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Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
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Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.
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Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
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Exodus 20:11
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: why the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
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Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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746. arche -- beginning, origin
... beginning, origin. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: arche Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-khay') Short Definition: ruler, beginning Definition: (a) rule ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/746.htm - 7k

536. aparche -- the beginning of a sacrifice, ie the first fruit
... the beginning of a sacrifice, ie the first fruit. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: aparche Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ar-khay') Short Definition: the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/536.htm - 6k

4412. proton -- before, at the beginning
... before, at the beginning. Part of Speech: Adverb, Superlative Transliteration: proton
Phonetic Spelling: (pro'-ton) Short Definition: first, before Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4412.htm - 6k

1728. enarchomai -- to begin, to make a beginning
... to begin, to make a beginning. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enarchomai
Phonetic Spelling: (en-ar'-khom-ahee) Short Definition: I begin Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1728.htm - 6k

509. anothen -- from above
... from above. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: anothen Phonetic Spelling:
(an'-o-then) Short Definition: from above, from the beginning, again Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/509.htm - 6k

165. aion -- a space of time, an age
... mean. continued duration Definition a space of time, an age NASB Word Usage age
(20), ages (6), ancient time (1), beginning of time (1), course (1), eternal (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/165.htm - 8k

4413. protos -- first, chief
... outer (3), previous (1). first, beginning, best, chief. Contracted superlative
of pro; foremost (in time, place, order or importance ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4413.htm - 8k

4278. proenarchomai -- to begin before
... Word Origin from pro and enarchomai Definition to begin before NASB Word Usage first
to begin (1), previously made (1), previously made a beginning (1). begin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4278.htm - 6k

5462. photismos -- illumination
... Cognate: 5462 (a masculine noun, see also 5457 , the noun-form) -- itself, the
embodiment of the source (beginning) of the illumination. See 5457 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5462.htm - 6k

757. archo -- to rule, to begin
... verb Definition to rule, to begin NASB Word Usage began (62), begin (7), beginning
(8), begins (2), begun (1), proceed (1), rule (1), rulers (1), starting (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/757.htm - 6k

7225. reshith -- beginning, chief
... 7224, 7225. reshith. 7226 . beginning, chief. Transliteration: reshith
Phonetic Spelling: (ray-sheeth') Short Definition: beginning. ...
/hebrew/7225.htm - 6k

7221. rishah -- beginning time, early time
... 7220b, 7221. rishah. 7222 . beginning time, early time. Transliteration: rishah
Phonetic Spelling: (ree-shaw') Short Definition: first. ... beginning. ...
/hebrew/7221.htm - 6k

8462. techillah -- a beginning
... 8461, 8462. techillah. 8463 . a beginning. Transliteration: techillah Phonetic
Spelling: (tekh-il-law') Short Definition: beginning. ...
/hebrew/8462.htm - 6k

3246. yesud -- foundation, beginning
... 3245, 3246. yesud. 3247 . foundation, beginning. Transliteration: yesud
Phonetic Spelling: (yes-ood') Short Definition: began. Word ...
/hebrew/3246.htm - 6k

7223. rishon -- former, first, chief
... Word Origin from rosh Definition former, first, chief NASB Word Usage ancestors
(3), before (4), beginning (2), chief (1), chiefs (1), earlier (4), earlier ...
/hebrew/7223.htm - 6k

227. az -- at that time
... beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since,. A demonstrative adverb;
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore ...
/hebrew/227.htm - 6k

7218. rosh -- head
... root Definition head NASB Word Usage bands (1), beginning (11), beheaded* (1), best
(1), best things (1), bodyguard* (1), captains (3), census (7), chief (35 ...
/hebrew/7218.htm - 6k

5769. olam -- long duration, antiquity, futurity
... any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting,
long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the ...
/hebrew/5769.htm - 7k

6546. pera -- perhaps leader
... avenging, revenge. Feminine of pera' (in the sense of beginning); leadership (plural
concretely, leaders) -- + avenging, revenge. see HEBREW pera'. 6545, 6546 ...
/hebrew/6546.htm - 6k

113. adon -- lord
... Controller (human or divine) -- lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning
with "Adoni-". 112b, 113. adon. 114 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/113.htm - 6k

He (This One) was in the Beginning with God.
... Book II. 5. He (This One) Was in the Beginning with God. To those who fail
to distinguish with care the different propositions of ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/5 he this one was.htm

The Beginning of the Gospel.
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 1:1-6 THE BEGINNING
OF THE GOSPEL. "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 1-6 the beginning of.htm

A Question for the Beginning
... A QUESTION FOR THE BEGINNING. 'What will ye do in the end?'"Jeremiah 5:31.
I ... life. Death, the end, is likewise Death, the beginning. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a question for the beginning.htm

"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we ...
... Sermon I. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have
seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i that which was.htm

Whether Fear is the Beginning of Wisdom?
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether fear is the beginning of wisdom?
Objection 1: It would seem that fear is not the beginning of wisdom. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fear is the beginning.htm

In Time. The Beginning of Creation.
... Book I. 17. (2) in Time. The Beginning of Creation. Again, there is a beginning
in a matter of origin, as might appear in the saying ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/17 -2 in time the.htm

"That which was from the Beginning,"
... and II. Sermon II. "That which was from the beginning,". 1 John 1:1.""That
which was from the beginning," &c. Things are commended ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ii that which was.htm

Whether Fear is the Beginning of Wisdom
... Article Seven Whether Fear is the Beginning of Wisdom. Whether Fear is the Beginning
of Wisdom ... 1. It seems that fear is not the beginning of wisdom. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article seven whether fear is.htm

Meaning of "Beginning. " (In Space.
... Book I. 16. Meaning of "Beginning." (1) in Space. ... We speak of a beginning in reference
to a transition. Here it has to do with a road and with length. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/16 meaning of beginning -1.htm

In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section I In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God? ... [76] This was in the beginning with God. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section i in the beginning.htm

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