11 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . 2 The earth was [1] formless and void , and darkness was over the [2]surface of the deep , and the Spirit of God was [3]moving over the [2]surface of the waters .
3 Then God said , "Let there be light "; and there was light . 4 God saw that the light was good ; and God separated the light from the darkness . 5 God called the light day , and the darkness He called night . And there was evening and there was morning , one day .
6 Then God said , "Let there be [5]an expanse in the midst of the waters , and let it separate the waters from the waters ." 7 God made the [6]expanse , and separated the waters which were below e the [6]expanse from the waters which were above e the [6]expanse ; and it was so . 8 God called the [9]expanse heaven . And there was evening and there was morning , a second day .
9 Then God said , " Let the waters below e the heavens be gathered into one place , and let the dry land appear "; and it was so . 10 God called the dry land earth , and the gathering of the waters He called seas ; and God saw that it was good . 11 Then God said , "Let the earth sprout [10] vegetation : [11]plants yielding seed , and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after [12]their kind [13]with seed in them"; and it was so . 12 The earth brought forth [14]vegetation , [15]plants yielding seed after [16]their kind , and trees bearing fruit [17]with seed in them, after [16]their kind ; and God saw that it was good . 13 There was evening and there was morning , a third day .
14 Then God said , "Let there be [19] lights in the [20] expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night , and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years ; 15 and let them be for [21]lights in the [22]expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth "; and it was so . 16 God made the two [23]great lights , the greater [24]light [25]to govern the day , and the lesser [24]light [25]to govern the night ; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the [28]expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth , 18 and [29]to govern the day and the night , and to separate the light from the darkness ; and God saw that it was good . 19 There was evening and there was morning , a fourth day .
20 Then God said , "Let the waters [30]teem with swarms of living creatures , and let birds fly above the earth [31]in the open [32]expanse of the heavens ." 21 God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves , with which the waters swarmed after their kind , and every winged bird after its kind ; and God saw that it was good . 22 God blessed them, saying , "Be fruitful and multiply , and fill the waters in the seas , and let birds multiply on the earth ." 23 There was evening and there was morning , a fifth day .
24 Then God said , "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after [33]their kind : cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after [33]their kind "; and it was so .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 1:1-24
Commentary on Genesis 1:1-2
(Read Genesis 1:1-2)
The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin of the earth and the heavens. The faith of humble Christians understands this better than the fancy of the most learned men. From what we see of heaven and earth, we learn the power of the great Creator. And let our make and place as men, remind us of our duty as Christians, always to keep heaven in our eye, and the earth under our feet. The Son of God, one with the Father, was with him when he made the world; nay, we are often told that the world was made by him, and nothing was made without him. Oh, what high thoughts should there be in our minds, of that great God whom we worship, and of that great Mediator in whose name we pray! And here, at the beginning of the sacred volume, we read of that Divine Spirit, whose work upon the heart of man is so often mentioned in other parts of the Bible. Observe, that at first there was nothing desirable to be seen, for the world was without form, and void; it was confusion, and emptiness. In like manner the work of grace in the soul is a new creation: and in a graceless soul, one that is not born again, there is disorder, confusion, and every evil work: it is empty of all good, for it is without God; it is dark, it is darkness itself: this is our condition by nature, till Almighty grace works a change in us.
Commentary on Genesis 1:3-5
(Read Genesis 1:3-5)
God said, Let there be light; he willed it, and at once there was light. Oh, the power of the word of God! And in the new creation, the first thing that is wrought in the soul is light: the blessed Spirit works upon the will and affections by enlightening the understanding. Those who by sin were darkness, by grace become light in the Lord. Darkness would have been always upon fallen man, if the Son of God had not come and given us understanding, 1 John 5:20. The light which God willed, he approved of. God divided the light from the darkness; for what fellowship has light with darkness? In heaven there is perfect light, and no darkness at all; in hell, utter darkness, and no gleam of light. The day and the night are the Lord's; let us use both to his honour, by working for him every day, and resting in him every night, meditating in his law both day and night.
Commentary on Genesis 1:6-13
(Read Genesis 1:6-13)
The earth was emptiness, but by a word spoken, it became full of God's riches, and his they are still. Though the use of them is allowed to man, they are from God, and to his service and honour they must be used. The earth, at his command, brings forth grass, herbs, and fruits. God must have the glory of all the benefit we receive from the produce of the earth. If we have, through grace, an interest in Him who is the Fountain, we may rejoice in him when the streams of temporal mercies are dried up.
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.
Commentary on Genesis 1:20-25
(Read Genesis 1:20-25)
God commanded the fish and fowl to be produced. This command he himself executed. Insects, which are more numerous than the birds and beasts, and as curious, seem to have been part of this day's work. The Creator's wisdom and power are to be admired as much in an ant as in an elephant. The power of God's providence preserves all things, and fruitfulness is the effect of his blessing.