Genesis 1:9 kjv

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Genesis 1:9 nkjv

Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

Genesis 1:9 niv

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.

Genesis 1:9 esv

And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.

Genesis 1:9 nlt

Then God said, "Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear." And that is what happened.

Genesis 1 verses

Genesis 1 9 Meaning

Genesis 1:9 records God's third declarative command in the creation narrative, focusing on the formation of dry land. After separating light from darkness and creating the expanse (firmament) to divide waters above and below, God commands the waters "under the heavens" to gather into "one place" so that the "dry land" may become visible. This act demonstrates God's sovereign power over chaotic waters, bringing order and distinction to the Earth's surface, preparing it for the sustenance of life. The verse emphasizes the immediate and complete fulfillment of God's spoken word: "And it was so."

Genesis 1 9 Context

Genesis chapter 1 provides the foundational account of God's creation of the cosmos. Verse 9 occurs on the third day of creation. On Day 1, God created light and separated it from darkness (Gen 1:3-5). On Day 2, God made an "expanse" or firmament to separate the "waters above" from the "waters below" (Gen 1:6-8). The command in verse 9 continues the process of ordering the watery chaos established on Day 2, focusing now on the waters beneath the firmament. This specific act is crucial as it prepares the Earth for habitation, directly leading to the sprouting of vegetation later on the same day (Gen 1:11-12). Historically and culturally, this narrative stands in stark contrast to ancient Near Eastern creation myths, which often depict cosmic creation as a struggle among various deities battling pre-existent chaotic forces or involving primeval monster deities. Genesis presents a singular, transcendent God who creates effortlessly through His divine word, establishing order and function without any cosmic struggle or challenge. It's a polemic against polytheism and chaotic explanations of origins, asserting God's absolute sovereignty and beneficence.

Genesis 1 9 Word analysis

• And God said (וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים - vayyomer Elohim):

  • וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer): A consecutive perfect tense, emphasizing the sequential, deliberate action of God. God's speech is a creative, effective act.
  • אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): The most common Hebrew word for God in the Old Testament, a plural noun used with a singular verb, denoting majesty, power, and often associated with His role as Creator and sovereign over all.
  • Significance: Highlights God's omnipotence and omnicompetence. His word alone is sufficient to bring about creation; no external tools, effort, or conflict is needed.

• 'Let the waters (יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם - yiqqavu hammayim):

  • יִקָּווּ (yiqqavu): Hiphil imperfect of the root קָוָה (qavah), meaning "to collect," "to gather together," "to come together." It implies a bringing into union, a directed movement.
  • הַמַּיִם (hammayim): "The waters." Refers to the waters "under the heavens" (i.e., the waters on the Earth's surface). These waters are not created ex nihilo in this verse, but are being ordered and placed.
  • Significance: This is not a request but a command, showing God's authority over the primordial liquid state. The gathering implies purpose and a dynamic, responsive creation.

• under the heavens (מִתַּחַת לַשָּׁמָיִם - mittachath lashshamayim):

  • מִתַּחַת (mittachath): "From under, below." Specifies the location.
  • לַשָּׁמָיִם (lashshamayim): "To the heavens," "the sky/expanse." This distinguishes these waters from the "waters above" the firmament mentioned in Gen 1:7.
  • Significance: Establishes a clear boundary and domain for the operation. It narrows the scope of the command to the terrestrial waters.

• be gathered together into one place, (אֶל-מָקֹום אֶחָד - el-maqom echad):

  • אֶל-מָקֹום (el-maqom): "Into a place, a specific location."
  • אֶחָד (echad): "One." Emphasizes the singular, unified collection point for the vast amounts of water, resulting in coherent bodies of water.
  • Significance: Implies design and structure, creating defined oceans and seas. It points to order from widespread watery chaos.

• and let the dry land appear.' (וְתֵרָאֶה הַיַּבָּשָׁה - veteira'eh hayyabbashah):

  • וְתֵרָאֶה (veteira'eh): Niphal imperfect of the root רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning "to see," "to appear," "to become visible." This implies the dry land was submerged or hidden previously and is now being unveiled.
  • הַיַּבָּשָׁה (hayyabbashah): "The dry land," "the solid ground," "the continent." It implies suitability for life, a distinct domain from the waters.
  • Significance: God brings into visible existence what was previously concealed. This establishes the landmasses as separate and distinct from the oceans, laying the groundwork for terrestrial life.

• And it was so. (וַיְהִי-כֵן - vayhi-ken):

  • וַיְהִי (vayhi): Consecutive perfect, "And it was," indicating immediate and exact fulfillment.
  • כֵן (ken): "So," "thus," "exactly as commanded."
  • Significance: Underscores the instantaneous and unalterable power of God's word. Creation follows divine decree perfectly, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty and control over the universe.

Genesis 1 9 Bonus section

The clear demarcation between land and sea on the third day of creation establishes distinct ecological zones, critical for the flourishing of different life forms mentioned later in Genesis 1. This separation also showcases God's preference for order over chaos and His precision in design. The imagery of waters gathering to "one place" might symbolically represent the unifying and distinctiveness of what becomes oceans and seas. This act foreshadows God's power over chaotic forces throughout Scripture, seen in His control of the Red Sea for the Israelites (Ex 14) and even in the New Testament when Jesus calms a storm (Matt 8:26-27). This continuous control reaffirms God's enduring sovereignty over all elements of His creation, emphasizing that even the most formidable forces are subject to His command.

Genesis 1 9 Commentary

Genesis 1:9 is a pivotal moment in the creation narrative, transitioning Earth from a water-covered orb to a planet with distinct landmasses suitable for life. On the third day, God, through His spoken word, orchestrated the global hydrological process that saw the immense "waters under the heavens" recede and coalesce into singular, designated basins. This act wasn't an ex nihilo creation of land, but an ordering and revealing of existing elements. The repeated phrase "And God said" highlights His authoritative and effective communication, demonstrating His divine power to bring forth structure from what was initially formless and void. The instantaneous result, "And it was so," powerfully asserts that God's command is immediately effective, showing no resistance or delay in creation. This divine arrangement of land and sea is fundamental to sustaining the diverse life forms that God would later create. This purposeful organization lays the essential groundwork for plant life, animal life, and ultimately, human habitation.