Topical Bible: Day: The Light First Called

◄ Day: The Light First Called ►

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In the biblical account of creation, the concept of "day" is introduced in the opening chapter of Genesis. The term "day" is first associated with the creation of light, marking the initial act of God's creative work. According to Genesis 1:3-5 , "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day."

The creation of light is significant as it represents the first instance of God bringing order to the formless and void earth. The light is declared "good" by God, indicating its intrinsic value and purpose within the created order. The separation of light from darkness establishes a fundamental rhythm and structure to time, introducing the cycle of day and night.

The Hebrew word for "day" used in this passage is "yom," which can denote a 24-hour period, the daylight hours, or an indefinite period of time. In the context of Genesis 1, "yom" is traditionally understood by many conservative scholars to refer to a literal 24-hour day, as the text describes a sequence of evening and morning marking each day of creation.

Theologically, the calling of light "day" underscores God's sovereignty and authority over creation. By naming the light, God exercises dominion, setting the stage for the subsequent acts of creation. This act of naming also reflects the orderliness and intentionality of God's creative process.

The introduction of light and its designation as "day" holds profound implications for the biblical narrative. Light is often associated with God's presence, truth, and revelation throughout Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), drawing a parallel between the physical light of creation and the spiritual illumination brought by Christ.

In summary, the first day of creation, marked by the calling of light "day," establishes the foundational pattern of time and order in the universe. It highlights God's creative power, the goodness of His creation, and sets the stage for the unfolding of His divine plan throughout the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

First Day in New York
... a memory, yet when we look back in the light of our ... After the day's excitement I
hoped that a good night's ... last touch leaping from my bed the first day of new ...
/.../chapter iii first day in.htm

The Story of Creation
... darkness. And God called the light Day and the darkness Night. And there
was an evening and a morning, making the first day. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of creation.htm

Mosaic Cosmogony.
... the light from the darkness, and God called the light day, and the darkness called
he night; and the evening and the morning were the first day.' Can any one ...
/.../temple/essays and reviews the education of the world/mosaic cosmogony.htm

The Constitution of the World and the Disposition of The
... Night, and the other he called Day: and he named the beginning of light, and the
time of rest, The Evening and The Morning, and this was indeed the first day. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 the constitution of.htm

First Latin Form.
... And when the Lord's day came, at the third hour ... And suddenly there shone round them
a light from heaven ... quickly returned to where they had at first been, to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the passing of mary/first latin form.htm

First Greek Form.
... therefore ordered him to be crucified, having first scourged him ... world, the sun being
darkened at mid-day, and the ... as if turned into blood, failed in her light. ...
/.../the report of pilate concerning our lord jesus christ/first greek form.htm

Light and Shade.
... LIGHT AND SHADE ... I have to-day been making ... The first, and still by far the best
church-building at Amoy, which is also the first church building erected in China ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iv light and shade.htm

Basil -- the Creation of the World
... the first day before that of the first night, because ... follows day: for, before the
creation of light, the world ... It is the opposite of day which was called night ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/basil the creation of.htm

The Kingdom First.
... God is Light, and God is Love. ... with such enthusiasm that it will spontaneously be
first every day? ... It was in very deed "Our country first, before everything ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/v the kingdom first.htm

"That those Grievously Sin who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious ...
... all other men attained to the knowledge of God, who first were wrenched away from
our sins, first severed from ... And day is the symbol of light; and the ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ix that those grievously sin.htm