Genesis 1:15 kjv
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
Genesis 1:15 nkjv
and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so.
Genesis 1:15 niv
and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.
Genesis 1:15 esv
and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so.
Genesis 1:15 nlt
Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth." And that is what happened.
Genesis 1 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:3 | And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. | Initial command for light |
| Gen 1:14 | Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens... for signs and seasons, and for days and years... | Immediate context; broader purpose |
| Psa 19:1-2 | The heavens declare the glory of God... Day to day pours out speech... | Heavens reveal God's glory and power |
| Psa 74:16 | Yours is the day, Yours also is the night; You have prepared the light and the sun. | God as Creator and proprietor of all light |
| Psa 104:19 | He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting. | God's ordained order for celestial bodies |
| Jer 31:35 | Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night... | God's stable, continuous provision of light |
| Deut 4:19 | Beware lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars... and worship them... | Prohibits worship of created lights |
| Rom 1:25 | They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator... | Idolatry of creation condemned |
| Isa 45:7 | I form light and create darkness... I am the Lord, who does all these things. | God's absolute sovereignty over light/darkness |
| Job 9:7 | He commands the sun not to shine and seals up the stars. | God's power to control creation's lights |
| Joel 2:31 | The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood... | God's power over celestial signs for judgment |
| Amos 8:9 | I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. | Divine judgment includes obscuring light |
| Rev 21:23 | And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. | Future state, no reliance on created lights |
| Rev 22:5 | And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light... | Future state, God's light is sufficient |
| Jn 1:4-5 | In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. | Jesus as the true divine light |
| Jn 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness...” | Jesus' claim as source of spiritual light |
| Mat 5:14 | “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” | Believers reflect spiritual light |
| Eph 5:8 | For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. | Believers transformed by God's light |
| 1 Tim 6:15-16 | ...the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light... | God's unique nature as light |
| Gen 8:22 | While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease. | Established rhythms reliant on heavenly bodies |
| Psa 136:7-9 | ...to Him who made the great lights, for His steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for His steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for His steadfast love endures forever. | God's making of lights as act of enduring love |
| Zec 14:6-7 | On that day there shall be no light, cold or frost... there will be light in the evening time. | Divine control of light during future judgment |
| Mal 4:2 | But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings... | Eschatological hope related to "Sun" of righteousness |
| Isa 30:26 | Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days... | Future restoration with amplified light |
Genesis 1 verses
Genesis 1 15 Meaning
Genesis 1:15 states that the lights in the expanse of the heavens were created "to give light upon the earth." This verse explicitly defines the purpose of the sun, moon, and stars, establishing their primary function as providing illumination for the earthly realm. It reiterates the divine intention from the preceding verse (Gen 1:14), emphasizing their role in ordering the cosmos and supporting life on earth through the provision of light. This is not about their essence, but their commissioned function.
Genesis 1 15 Context
Genesis 1:15 is part of the fourth day of creation, where God establishes order and structure within the cosmos He previously prepared. Following the initial creation of light on Day 1 (Gen 1:3), the firmament on Day 2, and the dry land and vegetation on Day 3, Day 4 focuses on populating the firmament with the "lights" (the sun, moon, and stars) that were specifically designed to illuminate the earth. The broader context of Genesis 1 presents a methodical, purposeful creation, establishing God's supreme power and authority. This specific verse reiterates the immediate and direct utility of these celestial bodies for Earth, primarily to provide light. Historically and culturally, this narrative stands in stark contrast to surrounding polytheistic mythologies where the sun, moon, and stars were deified or associated with independent deities. Genesis boldly presents them not as gods, but as created objects fulfilling God's designated purpose. This is a subtle yet potent polemic, stripping any divine essence from the celestial bodies and subjecting them wholly to the Creator's will.
Genesis 1 15 Word analysis
- And (וַיְהִי - wa-yə-hî): A common Hebrew waw-consecutive, signaling a sequential event in the narrative. It emphasizes continuity and progression from the preceding verse, highlighting that this is the active fulfillment of the purpose mentioned for the lights in Genesis 1:14. It denotes God's word manifesting into reality.
- to give light (לְהָאִיר - ləhā’îr): This is a infinitive construct of the verb הָאִיר (ha'ir), derived from the root אוֹר ('or), meaning "light." The "לְ" (le) prefix indicates purpose, clearly stating why the lights were created. It implies active, continuous illumination, not merely passive presence. The term underscores functionality over intrinsic being, affirming their role as instruments for a divine goal.
- upon (עַל - ‘al): A preposition indicating location or direction, "on," "over," or "above." It clearly states that the purpose of the lights is directly applied to the surface of the earth. This stresses their function is for the terrestrial realm and its inhabitants.
- the earth (הָאָרֶץ - hā’āreṣ): Refers to the physical, created ground or world established earlier (Gen 1:1, 1:10). The definite article "הָ" (ha) specifies this particular created world. It reiterates the anthropocentric (or more accurately, bio-centric) design of creation, where the earth is central to God's created order.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- and to give light upon the earth: This phrase succinctly expresses the primary, practical, and observable function of the celestial bodies. It grounds their existence in a tangible, beneficial role for Earth, linking God's grand cosmic design directly to the sustainment of life on the planet. This highlights divine providence and intentionality, ensuring an environment conducive to future creation and life.
- and it was so: This concise declaration, repeated throughout Genesis 1 (Gen 1:7, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30), confirms the immediate and perfect execution of God's command. It demonstrates the absolute power and effectiveness of the divine word. God's will is instantly and perfectly fulfilled without opposition or delay, signifying order, predictability, and divine authority in the cosmos. It further serves to reinforce the contrast between the Creator (whose word brings reality) and the created entities (which merely obey that word).
Genesis 1 15 Bonus section
The deliberate emphasis on the "purpose" (to give light) of the sun, moon, and stars underscores a key theological point: God's creation is highly intentional and functional. Each element is crafted for a specific role within the ordered cosmos, rather than existing arbitrarily. This principle extends beyond cosmic light to all aspects of creation, including humanity, emphasizing that all existence serves a divine design. Furthermore, this verse highlights the continuity of light from Day 1. The original "light" (אור - or) was amorphous, whereas the "lights" (מאורות - mĕ’ōrōt) here are the light-bearers, sources placed to manage and dispense that light effectively for specific purposes. This shows a progression from a general state to a more structured and regulated provision of a necessary element for life.
Genesis 1 15 Commentary
Genesis 1:15 is a vital verse in God's creative week, specifically detailing the purpose of the luminaries made on the fourth day. After "let there be lights" was spoken (Gen 1:14), this verse clarifies their chief function: to provide illumination for Earth. This is not simply about light for vision, but about establishing the light cycles crucial for day and night, vital for regulating life, climates, and natural rhythms (Gen 8:22). The phrase "to give light upon the earth" emphasizes the service-oriented nature of the celestial bodies, debunking any notion of their inherent divinity or power separate from the Creator. They are instruments, perfectly formed and positioned, solely to fulfill God’s precise instruction. The immediate affirmation, "and it was so," powerfully asserts the efficacy of God's creative decree and the unyielding obedience of His creation to His sovereign will. This foundation of divine order and purpose undergirds the entire cosmic design and subsequent narrative of salvation.