Genesis Chapter 1 Commentary

The chapter of Genesis 1 is widely considered to be one of the most important and foundational pieces of scripture in many different religious traditions. This chapter offers an account of the creation of the world and humankind, telling a story that stretches far beyond our own time and place.

Within this chapter, we find references to God creating light, land, seas, and all manner of creatures. Additionally, it describes how humanity was brought forth from dust and given a special status as stewards over the earth.

KJV

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

NIV

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

ESV

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

NLT

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

NKJV

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

NRSV

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

KJV

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

NIV

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

ESV

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

NLT

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

NKJV

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

NRSV

the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.

KJV

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

NIV

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

ESV

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

NLT

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

NKJV

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

NRSV

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

KJV

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

NIV

God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

ESV

And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

NLT

And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

NKJV

And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

NRSV

And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

KJV

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

NIV

God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

ESV

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

NLT

God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”

NKJV