Genesis 1:16 Explained | KJV Bible

Observation: Genesis 1 describes the creation of the world, detailing each day of creation. Verse 16: “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” Key words: “God made,” “two great lights,” “greater light,” “rule or govern the day,” “lesser light,” “rule or govern the night,” “stars.” In Hebrew, the concepts for these words in Genesis 1:16 are as follows: 1. God made - The Hebrew phrase is “Vaya’as Elohim” (וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים), where “Vaya’as” means “and He made,” and “Elohim” refers to God. This phrase emphasizes God’s creative action and His role as the maker of all things. 2. Two great lights - The Hebrew phrase is “et shney ham’orot hagedolim” (אֵת שְׁנֵי הַמְּאֹרֹת הַגְּדֹלִים), where “et” indicates the definite direct object marker, “shney” means two, “ham’orot” means the lights, and “hagedolim” means the great. This phrase refers to the sun and the moon, which are described as great lights. 3. Greater light - The Hebrew phrase is “ham’or hagedol” (הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדֹל), where “ham’or” means the light, and “hagedol” means the great. This phrase specifically refers to the sun, which is the greater light. 4. Govern the day - The Hebrew phrase is “limshol byom” (לִמְשֹׁל בַּיֹּום), where “limshol” means to rule or govern, and “byom” means the day. This phrase indicates the function of the sun to rule over the day, providing light and warmth. 5. Lesser light - The Hebrew phrase is “et ham’or hakatan” (אֵת הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטָן), where “et” indicates the definite direct object marker, “ham’or” means the light, and “hakatan” means the small or lesser. This phrase refers to the moon, which is the lesser light. 6. Govern the night - The Hebrew phrase is “limshol balaylah” (לִמְשֹׁל בַּלַּיְלָה), where “limshol” means to rule or govern, and “balaylah” means the night. This phrase indicates the function of the moon to rule over the night, providing a lesser light in the absence of the sun. 7. Stars - The Hebrew word for “stars” is “kokhavim” (כּוֹכָבִים), which refers to the celestial bodies that are visible in the night sky, apart from the sun and the moon. Interpretation: “God made”: Indicates God’s creative action, demonstrating His power and authority as the creator. “Two great lights”: Refers to the sun and the moon, which are described as “great” in relation to their size and importance in the sky. “Greater light”: Refers to the sun, which provides light and heat to govern the day. “Govern the day”: Indicates the function of the sun to rule over the day, providing light and warmth for the earth. “Lesser light”: Refers to the moon, which reflects the light of the sun and governs the night. “Govern the night”: Indicates the function of the moon to rule over the night, providing a lesser light in the absence of the sun. “Stars”: Refers to the countless other celestial bodies in the sky, which are also created by God.