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{{Short description|Fourth verse of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis}}
[[File:Dividing Light from Darkness.jpg|thumb|right|Detail of [[Michelangelo]]'s ''[[Separation of Light from Darkness]]'', part of the [[Sistine Chapel ceiling]].]]
{{Bible chapter|letname= Genesis 1:4 |previouslink= Genesis 1:3 |previousletter= 1:3 |nextlink= Genesis 1:5 |nextletter= 1:5 |book=[[Book of Genesis]] |biblepart=[[Old Testament]] | booknum= 1 |hbiblepart= [[Torah]] | hbooknum = 1 |category= | filename= Dividing Light from Darkness.jpg |size=242px | caption=<div style="width: 242px; text-align: center; line-height: 1em">Detail of [[Michelangelo]]'s ''[[Separation of Light from Darkness]]'', part of the [[Sistine Chapel ceiling]].</div>}}
'''Genesis 1:4''' is the fourth verse of the first chapter in the [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]]. It is the response to God's command in [[Genesis 1:3|verse 3]], "[[Let there be light]]." It is part of the [[Genesis creation narrative]] within the [[Torah portion]] [[Bereishit (parsha)|Bereshit]]. ({{bibleref|Genesis|1:1–6:8}}) The verse states that the light was good, and that God divided or separated the light from the darkness (see list of translations below). It has been interpreted in different ways, and illustrated by artists such as [[Michelangelo]].
'''Genesis 1:4''' is the fourth verse of the first chapter of the [[Book of Genesis]]. It is the response to God's command in [[Genesis 1:3|verse 3]], "[[Let there be light]]." It is part of the [[Genesis creation narrative]] within the [[Torah portion]] [[Bereishit (parsha)|Bereshit]]. ({{bibleref|Genesis|1:1–6:8}}) The verse states that the light was good, and that God divided or separated the light from the darkness (see list of translations below). It has been interpreted in different ways, and illustrated by artists such as [[Michelangelo]].


== Interpretations ==
== Interpretations ==
The reference to goodness here reflects the fact that Hebrew thought had no place for believing the material universe to be evil in itself.<ref>Mathews, Kenneth A., ''Genesis 1-11:26, Volume 1A'', B&H Publishing Group, 1996, {{ISBN|0-8054-0101-6}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Rpii9GOKOX4C&pg=PA146 p. 146.]</ref>


The division between light and darkness in this verse has been interpreted both literally and metaphorically.
The division between light and darkness in this verse has been interpreted both literally and metaphorically.
Line 8: Line 10:
=== Division of literal light===
=== Division of literal light===


[[Gerald Schroeder]], in his book ''The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom'', claims that this verse describes literal phenomena within [[physical cosmology]], comparing it to [[Inflation (cosmology)|inflation]].<ref>Schroeder, Gerald L., ''The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom'', Simon and Schuster, 2009, ISBN 1439129584, [http://books.google.com/books?id=J_iOFzYE6ycC&pg=PA71 p. 71.]</ref>
[[Gerald Schroeder]], in his book ''The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom'', claims that this verse describes literal phenomena within [[physical cosmology]], comparing it to [[Inflation (cosmology)|inflation]].<ref>Schroeder, Gerald L., ''The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom'', Simon and Schuster, 2009, {{ISBN|1-4391-2958-4}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=J_iOFzYE6ycC&pg=PA71 p. 71.]</ref>


Commentator Paul Kissling writes that the first part of the verse indicates that "the material universe is good, not evil; impersonal, not personal"<ref>Kissling, Paul J., ''Genesis, Volume 1'', College Press, 2004, ISBN 0899008755, [http://books.google.com/books?id=lotBnvqdmeQC&pg=PA100 pp. 100–101.]</ref> and that the second part reflects the orderly nature of the physical universe.
Commentator Paul Kissling writes that the first part of the verse indicates that "the material universe is good, not evil; impersonal, not personal"<ref>Kissling, Paul J., ''Genesis, Volume 1'', College Press, 2004, {{ISBN|0-89900-875-5}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=lotBnvqdmeQC&pg=PA100 pp. 100–101.]</ref> and that the second part reflects the orderly nature of the physical universe.


[[Franz Delitzsch]] and others have seen the verse as ushering in the alternation of light and darkness,<ref>Delitzsch, Franz, ''A New Commentary on Genesis'', 1888, [http://archive.org/details/anewcommentgenes00deliuoft p. 83.]</ref><ref>Berkhof, Louis, ''Systematic Theology'', Eerdmans, 1996, ISBN 080283820, [http://books.google.com/books?id=jFqJaODKwIoC&pg=RA1-PA155&lpg=RA1-PA155 p. 155.]</ref> or the creation of time itself.<ref>McKenzie, Steven L. and Graham, Matt Patrick, ''The Hebrew Bible Today: An Introduction to Critical Issues'', Westminster John Knox Press, 1998, ISBN 066425652X, [http://books.google.com/books?id=owwhpmIVgSAC&pg=PA39 p. 39.]</ref>
[[Franz Delitzsch]] and others have seen the verse as ushering in the alternation of light and darkness,<ref>Delitzsch, Franz, ''A New Commentary on Genesis'', 1888, [https://archive.org/details/anewcommentgenes00deliuoft p. 83.]</ref><ref>Berkhof, Louis, ''Systematic Theology'', Eerdmans, 1996, {{ISBN|0-8028-3820-0}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=jFqJaODKwIoC&pg=RA1-PA155&lpg=RA1-PA155 p. 155.]</ref> or the creation of time itself.<ref>McKenzie, Steven L. and Graham, Matt Patrick, ''The Hebrew Bible Today: An Introduction to Critical Issues'', Westminster John Knox Press, 1998, {{ISBN|0-664-25652-X}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=owwhpmIVgSAC&pg=PA39 p. 39.]</ref><ref>Rudavsky, Tamar, ''Time Matters: Time, Creation, and Cosmology in Medieval Jewish Philosophy'', SUNY Press, 2000, {{ISBN|0-7914-4453-8}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=bNRjKW5yJa0C&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7 p. 7.]</ref>


=== Division of metaphorical light===
=== Division of metaphorical light===
Line 18: Line 20:
[[Augustine of Hippo]], in his ''[[City of God (book)|City of God]]'', interprets the verse as describing a division between the [[angel|holy angels]] and the [[demon|unclean angels]],<ref name=CofG19>Augustine, ''City of God'', [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf102.iv.XI.19.html Book XI, Chapter 19].</ref> pointing out that existence of the sun, moon, and stars implied a division between physical light and dark, but "between that light, which is the holy company of the angels spiritually radiant with the illumination of the truth, and that opposing darkness, which is the noisome foulness of the spiritual condition of those angels who are turned away from the light of righteousness, only [God] Himself could divide."<ref name=CofG19/> Augustine follows this by suggesting that "God saw the light that it was good" refers to the moral goodness of the angels.<ref>Augustine, ''City of God'', [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf102.iv.XI.20.html Book XI, Chapter 20].</ref>
[[Augustine of Hippo]], in his ''[[City of God (book)|City of God]]'', interprets the verse as describing a division between the [[angel|holy angels]] and the [[demon|unclean angels]],<ref name=CofG19>Augustine, ''City of God'', [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf102.iv.XI.19.html Book XI, Chapter 19].</ref> pointing out that existence of the sun, moon, and stars implied a division between physical light and dark, but "between that light, which is the holy company of the angels spiritually radiant with the illumination of the truth, and that opposing darkness, which is the noisome foulness of the spiritual condition of those angels who are turned away from the light of righteousness, only [God] Himself could divide."<ref name=CofG19/> Augustine follows this by suggesting that "God saw the light that it was good" refers to the moral goodness of the angels.<ref>Augustine, ''City of God'', [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf102.iv.XI.20.html Book XI, Chapter 20].</ref>


The ''[[Zohar]]'' contains a number of interpretations of this verse, including the suggestion that "God saw the light that it was good" means that "the universe became lighted up and pervaded throughout with the divine life which preserves it for the common weal and happiness of created and animated beings."<ref>''Zohar, Bereshith to Lekh Lekha: Or, Book of Light'', Forgotten Books, ISBN 1605067466, [http://books.google.com/books?id=W0ncoAKkc5MC&pg=PA89 p. 89.]</ref>
The ''[[Zohar]]'' contains a number of interpretations of this verse, including the suggestion that "God saw the light that it was good" means that "the universe became lighted up and pervaded throughout with the divine life which preserves it for the common weal and happiness of created and animated beings."<ref>''Zohar, Bereshith to Lekh Lekha: Or, Book of Light'', Forgotten Books, {{ISBN|1-60506-746-6}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=W0ncoAKkc5MC&pg=PA89 p. 89.]</ref>


[[Rashi]] gives an [[Aggadah|Aggadic]] interpretation of this verse, indicating that the light is set apart for the righteous in the World to Come.<ref>Bonchek, Avigdor, ''What's Bothering Rashi?: Bereishis'', Feldheim Publishers, 1997, ISBN 0873068491, [http://books.google.com/books?id=pRx7BtjRVkEC&pg=PA13 p. 13.]</ref>
[[Rashi]] gives an [[Aggadah|Aggadic]] interpretation of this verse, indicating that the light is set apart for the righteous in the World to Come.<ref>Bonchek, Avigdor, ''What's Bothering Rashi?: Bereishis'', Feldheim Publishers, 1997, {{ISBN|0-87306-849-1}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=pRx7BtjRVkEC&pg=PA13 p. 13.]</ref>


=== Framework interpretation ===
=== Framework interpretation ===
The [[Framework interpretation (Genesis)|framework interpretation]] sees the division of light from darkness as part of a literary structure, parallel to the later separation of sea from sky and land from sea.<ref>Gooder, Paula, ''The Pentateuch: A Story of Beginnings'', Continuum , 2005, ISBN 0567084183, [http://books.google.com/books?id=49XpvvO-Oq0C&pg=PA27 p. 27.]</ref><ref>Allison, Gregg, ''Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine'', Zondervan, 2011, ISBN 0310230136, [http://books.google.com/books?id=oO2eY2BC6xIC&pg=PA272 p. 272.]</ref>
The [[Framework interpretation (Genesis)|framework interpretation]] sees the division of light from darkness as part of a literary structure, parallel to the later separation of sea from sky and land from sea.<ref>Gooder, Paula, ''The Pentateuch: A Story of Beginnings'', Continuum , 2005, {{ISBN|0-567-08418-3}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=49XpvvO-Oq0C&pg=PA27 p. 27.]</ref><ref>Allison, Gregg, ''Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine'', Zondervan, 2011, {{ISBN|0-310-23013-6}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=oO2eY2BC6xIC&pg=PA272 p. 272.]</ref>


== Artwork ==
== Artwork ==
[[File:BibleMoralisee.jpg|thumb|right|In the top left of this page from an [[illuminated manuscript]] (c. 1250), God divides the light from the darkness.]]
[[File:BibleMoralisee.jpg|thumb|right|In the top left of this page from an [[illuminated manuscript]] (c. 1250), God divides the light from the darkness.]]
There are many illustrations of this verse,<ref>Earls, Irene, ''Renaissance Art: A Topical Dictionary'', ABC-CLIO, 1987, ISBN 0313246580, [http://books.google.com/books?id=xAdrziNnqLIC&pg=PA260 p. 260.]</ref> including the ''[[Separation of Light from Darkness]]'' (part of the [[Sistine Chapel ceiling]]) by [[Michelangelo]].
There are many illustrations of this verse,<ref>Earls, Irene, ''Renaissance Art: A Topical Dictionary'', ABC-CLIO, 1987, {{ISBN|0-313-24658-0}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=xAdrziNnqLIC&pg=PA260 p. 260.]</ref> including the ''[[Separation of Light from Darkness]]'' (part of the [[Sistine Chapel ceiling]]) by [[Michelangelo]].


== Text ==
== Text ==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Translation !! Text
! Version !! Text
|-
|Hebrew || {{Script/Hebrew|וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאוֹר כִּי טוֹב וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ}}<br/>''Wayyarə’ [[Elohim|’ĕlōhîm]] ’eṯ-hā’ôr, kî-ṭôḇ; wayyaḇədēl ’ĕlōhîm bên hā’ôr ûḇên haḥōšeḵ.''
|-
|-
| [[American Standard Version]] || "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."
| [[American Standard Version]] || "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."
Line 48: Line 52:
| [[Young's Literal Translation]] || "And God seeth the light that 'it is' good, and God separateth between the light and the darkness,"
| [[Young's Literal Translation]] || "And God seeth the light that 'it is' good, and God separateth between the light and the darkness,"
|}
|}

==See also==
* [[Apollo 8 Genesis reading]] from lunar orbit, December 24, 1968


==References==
==References==
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{{s-aft| after=[[Genesis 1:5]]}}
{{s-aft| after=[[Genesis 1:5]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
{{Genesis 1}}

{{Book of Genesis}}
[[Category:Genesis 1|Genesis 1:4]]
[[Category:Bereshit (parashah)]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible verses]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible verses]]
[[Category:Book of Genesis]]
[[Category:Light and religion]]

Latest revision as of 02:55, 22 December 2023

Genesis 1:4
← 1:3
1:5 →
BookBook of Genesis
Hebrew Bible partTorah
Order in the Hebrew part1
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part1

Genesis 1:4 is the fourth verse of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. It is the response to God's command in verse 3, "Let there be light." It is part of the Genesis creation narrative within the Torah portion Bereshit. (Genesis 1:1–6:8) The verse states that the light was good, and that God divided or separated the light from the darkness (see list of translations below). It has been interpreted in different ways, and illustrated by artists such as Michelangelo.

Interpretations

[edit]

The reference to goodness here reflects the fact that Hebrew thought had no place for believing the material universe to be evil in itself.[1]

The division between light and darkness in this verse has been interpreted both literally and metaphorically.

Division of literal light

[edit]

Gerald Schroeder, in his book The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom, claims that this verse describes literal phenomena within physical cosmology, comparing it to inflation.[2]

Commentator Paul Kissling writes that the first part of the verse indicates that "the material universe is good, not evil; impersonal, not personal"[3] and that the second part reflects the orderly nature of the physical universe.

Franz Delitzsch and others have seen the verse as ushering in the alternation of light and darkness,[4][5] or the creation of time itself.[6][7]

Division of metaphorical light

[edit]

Augustine of Hippo, in his City of God, interprets the verse as describing a division between the holy angels and the unclean angels,[8] pointing out that existence of the sun, moon, and stars implied a division between physical light and dark, but "between that light, which is the holy company of the angels spiritually radiant with the illumination of the truth, and that opposing darkness, which is the noisome foulness of the spiritual condition of those angels who are turned away from the light of righteousness, only [God] Himself could divide."[8] Augustine follows this by suggesting that "God saw the light that it was good" refers to the moral goodness of the angels.[9]

The Zohar contains a number of interpretations of this verse, including the suggestion that "God saw the light that it was good" means that "the universe became lighted up and pervaded throughout with the divine life which preserves it for the common weal and happiness of created and animated beings."[10]

Rashi gives an Aggadic interpretation of this verse, indicating that the light is set apart for the righteous in the World to Come.[11]

Framework interpretation

[edit]

The framework interpretation sees the division of light from darkness as part of a literary structure, parallel to the later separation of sea from sky and land from sea.[12][13]

Artwork

[edit]
In the top left of this page from an illuminated manuscript (c. 1250), God divides the light from the darkness.

There are many illustrations of this verse,[14] including the Separation of Light from Darkness (part of the Sistine Chapel ceiling) by Michelangelo.

Text

[edit]
Version Text
Hebrew וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאוֹר כִּי טוֹב וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ‎
Wayyarə’ ’ĕlōhîm ’eṯ-hā’ôr, kî-ṭôḇ; wayyaḇədēl ’ĕlōhîm bên hā’ôr ûḇên haḥōšeḵ.
American Standard Version "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."
Bible in Basic English "And God, looking on the light, saw that it was good: and God made a division between the light and the dark,"
Darby Bible "And God saw the light that it was good; and God divided between the light and the darkness."
Jewish Publication Society (3rd ed.) "And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness."
King James Version "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."
New King James Version "And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness."
Young's Literal Translation "And God seeth the light that 'it is' good, and God separateth between the light and the darkness,"

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mathews, Kenneth A., Genesis 1-11:26, Volume 1A, B&H Publishing Group, 1996, ISBN 0-8054-0101-6, p. 146.
  2. ^ Schroeder, Gerald L., The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom, Simon and Schuster, 2009, ISBN 1-4391-2958-4, p. 71.
  3. ^ Kissling, Paul J., Genesis, Volume 1, College Press, 2004, ISBN 0-89900-875-5, pp. 100–101.
  4. ^ Delitzsch, Franz, A New Commentary on Genesis, 1888, p. 83.
  5. ^ Berkhof, Louis, Systematic Theology, Eerdmans, 1996, ISBN 0-8028-3820-0, p. 155.
  6. ^ McKenzie, Steven L. and Graham, Matt Patrick, The Hebrew Bible Today: An Introduction to Critical Issues, Westminster John Knox Press, 1998, ISBN 0-664-25652-X, p. 39.
  7. ^ Rudavsky, Tamar, Time Matters: Time, Creation, and Cosmology in Medieval Jewish Philosophy, SUNY Press, 2000, ISBN 0-7914-4453-8, p. 7.
  8. ^ a b Augustine, City of God, Book XI, Chapter 19.
  9. ^ Augustine, City of God, Book XI, Chapter 20.
  10. ^ Zohar, Bereshith to Lekh Lekha: Or, Book of Light, Forgotten Books, ISBN 1-60506-746-6, p. 89.
  11. ^ Bonchek, Avigdor, What's Bothering Rashi?: Bereishis, Feldheim Publishers, 1997, ISBN 0-87306-849-1, p. 13.
  12. ^ Gooder, Paula, The Pentateuch: A Story of Beginnings, Continuum , 2005, ISBN 0-567-08418-3, p. 27.
  13. ^ Allison, Gregg, Historical Theology: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine, Zondervan, 2011, ISBN 0-310-23013-6, p. 272.
  14. ^ Earls, Irene, Renaissance Art: A Topical Dictionary, ABC-CLIO, 1987, ISBN 0-313-24658-0, p. 260.
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