When Did God Create Light According to Genesis 1? A Closer Look

Introduction

The first chapter of Genesis describes the creation of the universe in a series of six days. A common question arises when considering the creation of light (Genesis 1:3) before the later creation of the sun (Genesis 1:14-19). To gain a comprehensive understanding, we need to delve into the details provided by the original Hebrew texts and contextual clues within the Bible.

Reflection on Biblical Language and Context

Most believers and readers tend to skim through the Bible, perhaps missing finer nuances that can offer deeper insights. One such distinction is the use of the verbs bara (to create) and asa (to make) in the original Hebrew text. Genesis 2:3 emphasizes this distinction:

“Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”

The conjunction “and” in Hebrew signifies a differentiation between two separate actions. Bara typically refers to the creation of something from nothing, while asa denotes the shaping or manufacturing of something that already exists.

In engineering terms, creating corresponds to designing and engineering, while making involves fabrication, assembly, and putting existing elements together. This distinction is crucial for understanding the sequence of creation as described in Genesis 1.

The Creation of Light

Genesis 1:3 states:

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

Here, the concept of light was introduced before the sun's creation (Genesis 1:14-19). The verse indicates that God created light on the first day. This points to the creation of light as an elemental force or concept before the formation of the sun, moon, and stars.

Subsequently, the sun, moon, and other stars are created on the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-16 specifically states:

“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the 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, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.’ Then God made the two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He made the stars also.”

These verses confirm that the greater light mentioned is the sun, and the lesser light is the moon.

Further Insight and Biblical Consistency

Additionally, Genesis 1:1-5 describes the creation of the concepts of day and night and the establishment of time, which precedes the creation of light:

“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, 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. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”

This verse confirms that light was created before the establishment of the day and night cycle, indicating a creation of a fundamental, non-physical entity before the physical sun was formed.

Furthermore, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars on the fourth day does not contradict the initial creation of light. The sun, moon, and stars are described as making the lights appear in the sky, suggesting that the atmosphere or conditions may have been modified to make them visible.

“He just made the sun, moon, and other stars the other stars to appear in the sky on the fourth day by perhaps making our atmosphere more thinner.”

This explanation aligns with the idea that the initial creation of light was purely an abstract truth, while the sun's creation was necessary for it to be visible on earth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Genesis 1 reveals that light was created before the sun, affirming God's ability to create fundamental spiritual or non-material elements before physical manifestation. This understanding not only enriches our comprehension of the biblical narrative but also bridges the gap between faith and science, offering a consistent and logical interpretation that aligns with both religious and secular scientific perspectives.