16 God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Other Translations of Genesis 1:16

King James Version

16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, to rule the day...: Heb. for the rule of the day, etc. and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

English Standard Version

16 And God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars.

The Message

16 God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of Day, The smaller to be in charge of Night; and he made the stars.

New King James Version

16 Then 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.

New Living Translation

16 God made two great lights-the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 1:16

Commentary on Genesis 1:14-19

(Read Genesis 1:14-19)

In the fourth day's work, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is accounted for. All these are the works of God. The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes, without telling their number, nature, place, size, or motions; for the Scriptures were written, not to gratify curiosity, or make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints. The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully, and shine in their season without fail. We are set as lights in this world to serve God; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation? We do not: our light does not shine before God, as his lights shine before us. We burn our Master's candles, but do not mind our Master's work.