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.
Genesis 1:2
Genesis 1 verse 2 is a slightly more complicated statement than Genesis 1:1. I will not go through all the meanings of every single concept in this verse (or those I have already discussed in previous verses). Simple and straightforward concepts should not need to be elaborated on. I will just cover the main message focus of this verse and the words and concepts that are not so explicitly clear.
This is when a given statement or word or phrase needs additional clarification that cannot be directly understood from the statement, word or phrase read itself in isolation. In order to get to the correct meaning we will need to search for more instances of similar statements, words, phrases used in this same context before we can get the complete and true meaning that was intended to be conveyed.
1. was: [hayah].
2. without form [tohuw], and void [bohuw]
3. face: [paniym] of the deep: [tĕhowm].
4. Spirit: [ruwach]
5. face of the waters: [mayim].
There are times when what may appear to be a very simple word actually has a wide variety of context when the word was used and not knowing the context can result in totally misreading the word and the whole message of a verse or statement. The word translated as ‘was’ in this instance in Genesis 1:2 is just such a word.
was:[hayah]
In Strong’s Concordance the word ‘was’ [hayah] corresponds to Strong’s Number H1961.
Conceptual meanings (depending on the context):
1. am, is, are, to be, etc. (verb to be).
3. be, occur, happen, come to pass, come about, become.
Since the word translated as ‘was’ from the original Hebrew word ‘hayah’ qualified the words translated as ‘without form, and void’ from the original Hebrew words ‘tohuw’ (translated as ‘without form’) and ‘bohuw’ (translated as ‘void’), it is needful for us to understand these two words to get at the true meaning conveyed by the word translated as ‘was’ in Genesis 1:2.
without form [tohuw], and void [bohuw]
In Strong’s Concordance the word ‘without form’ [tohuw] corresponds to Strong’s Number H8414.
In Strong’s Concordance the word ‘void’ [bohuw] corresponds to Strong’s Number H922. The word does not have an equivalent transliteration in the Greek.
The phrase ‘without form and void’ occurs 2 times in the Old Testament records of the KJV in Genesis 1:2 and Jeremiah 4:23. In Isaiah 34:11 both words were also used together to describe a place that is a desolate (verse 12) waste land (verse 10) unfit for human to dwell in.
Conceptual meanings of ‘without form’ [tohuw] (depending on the context):
1. The main concept is that of not having value, valueless, worthless, of no value, devoid of value, devoid of anything, devoid of substance, devoid of life.
2. A state of emptiness, as of something abandoned or devoid of hope because it is of no value or in a state of emptiness or waste, as in a wasteland (or wilderness) as a place not fit for human habitation.
2. A state of emptiness, as of something abandoned or devoid of hope because it is of no value or in a state of emptiness or waste, as in a wasteland (or wilderness) as a place not fit for human habitation.
3. Lifeless as in a dead place, a place devoid of life or of anything of value.
4. Vain or futile as in pointless, nothing, naught, again the focus is on the value of not having any value; worthless or worthlessness.
The word ‘without form’ [tohuw] compliments the word ‘void’ [bohuw] in context when used together.
The word ‘without form’ [tohuw] compliments the word ‘void’ [bohuw] in context when used together.
Conceptual meanings of ‘void’ [bohuw] (depending on the context):
1. Empty
2. Void or emptiness, state of emptiness.
2. Void or emptiness, state of emptiness.
In Genesis 1:2 the phrase translated as was: [hayah] is not an accurate translation. Most Bible translations fail to accurately translate this word in Genesis 1:2 primary because they tried to get the context from Genesis 1:1 which they never understood in the first place. For the context of Genesis 1 verse 1 please refer to the post just before this.
The primary erroneous assumption of nearly all Christian Bible translations had Genesis chapter 1 as recording the very beginning of GOD's creating the entire creation.
The primary erroneous assumption of nearly all Christian Bible translations had Genesis chapter 1 as recording the very beginning of GOD's creating the entire creation.
All these were very narrow perspectives' interpretation focusing only on what was recorded in this first book totally ignoring the rest of the things that the Christian Holy Scriptures recorded as a whole.
Because of this erroneous narrow minded assumption Genesis 1 verse 2 was interpreted instead of translated. The resulting rendition of Genesis 1 verse 2 was of an earth [’erets] created in a state of formlessness, emptiness and in total darkness.
The rendition also directly contradicted Genesis 1 verse 1 which states that ‘the heavens’ [shamayim] was created first. The interpreted Genesis 1 verse 2 had the whole of ‘the heavens’ [shamayim] created only on the second day (verse 8). This was further compounded by having light being created when the heavens that give light to the earth (verse 15) had yet to exist according to this erroneous interpretation.
And because of this erroneous interpretation the whole point or main intended message of Genesis 1 verse 2 became totally lost in the interpretation. But that is not all, the erroneous interpretation also rendered the whole of the Genesis chapter to be eventually considered as a fable or folk lore when the advancement in scientific knowledge would show that the heavens (i.e. the material or physical universe) came into existence way before the earth (which was as a tiny part of it).
And because of this erroneous interpretation the whole point or main intended message of Genesis 1 verse 2 became totally lost in the interpretation. But that is not all, the erroneous interpretation also rendered the whole of the Genesis chapter to be eventually considered as a fable or folk lore when the advancement in scientific knowledge would show that the heavens (i.e. the material or physical universe) came into existence way before the earth (which was as a tiny part of it).
Please the post title ‘GOD’ on what the term ‘GOD’ actually meant when GOD had it recorded in the Holy Christian Scriptures the several words used to denote and address the GOD of this Scriptures.From this we should appreciate that the original text translated as ‘was’ [hayah] in this instance of Genesis 1 verse 2 was a bad erroneous translation because of its interpreted nature. This caused the message that this verse intended to conveyed of an earth that had somehow become laid waste and devoid of life to be misunderstood as that of GOD creating the world in a state of total darkness and in a state of emptiness and waste. In Isaiah 45 verse 18 GOD specifically stated that HE ‘formed the earth and made it’, that HE ‘did not create it in vain [tohuw].’
To have translated Genesis 1 verse 2 as all the Bible translations had done would make GOD out as a contradiction as indeed had been one of the main intentions and agenda of the Christmas religion as well as all the other anti-God religions that pretend to be teaching about GOD but in secret are implicitly and explicitly blaspheming and insulting GOD in all their crucial doctrines.
For thus says the LORD,
Who created the heavens,
Who is God,
Who formed the earth and made it,
Who has established it,
Who did not create it in vain,
Who formed it to be inhabited:
“I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:18
The American Standard Version has a better translation of this verse:
So if GOD did not create the earth in a state of empty waste, a natural question would be how then and why then was it ‘without form, and void’ and completely covered in ‘darkness?
For thus says the LORD,
Who created the heavens,
Who is God,
Who formed the earth and made it,
Who has established it,
Who did not create it in vain,
Who formed it to be inhabited:
“I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:18
The American Standard Version has a better translation of this verse:
For thus saith Jehovah that created the heavens, the God that formed the earth and made it, that established it and created it not a waste, that formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah; and there is none else.
So if GOD did not create the earth in a state of empty waste, a natural question would be how then and why then was it ‘without form, and void’ and completely covered in ‘darkness?
The answer to this is in Jeremiah 4 verse 20 to 29. Jeremiah was given a vision in which he saw his nation (‘I beheld the earth’) plundered and the lands turned in an empty wasteland (‘without form, and void’ - Jeremiah 4:23) because of their rebellion against GOD. The phrase translated as ‘without form [tohuw], and void [bohuw]’ was the exact same phrase used in the original text in Genesis 1 verse 2.
Destruction upon destruction is cried, For the whole land is plundered.
Suddenly my tents are plundered, And my curtains in a moment.
How long will I see the standard, And hear the sound of the trumpet?
“For My people are foolish, They have not known Me.
They are silly children, And they have no understanding.
They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.”
I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void;
And the heavens, they had no light.
I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, And all the hills moved back and forth.
I beheld, and indeed there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled.
I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness,And all its cities were broken down
At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger.
For thus says the LORD: “The whole land shall be desolate; Yet I will not make a full end.
For this shall the earth mourn, And the heavens above be black, Because I have spoken.
I have purposed and will not relent, Nor will I turn back from it.
The whole city shall flee from the noise of the horsemen and bowmen.
They shall go into thickets and climb up on the rocks.
Every city shall be forsaken, And not a man shall dwell in it.
Jeremiah 4:20 - 29
Therefore a better translation would have rendered the the original text ‘hayah’ as ‘became’ or ‘had become’. In KJV the original text the word ‘hayah’ had been translated into the following: was (and other forms of the verb to be), come to pass, came, has been, fell (came upon), were happened, become (Deuteronomy 27:9; 2 Samuel 7:24), pertained, better for thee.
Destruction upon destruction is cried, For the whole land is plundered.
Suddenly my tents are plundered, And my curtains in a moment.
How long will I see the standard, And hear the sound of the trumpet?
“For My people are foolish, They have not known Me.
They are silly children, And they have no understanding.
They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.”
I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void;
And the heavens, they had no light.
I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, And all the hills moved back and forth.
I beheld, and indeed there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled.
I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness,And all its cities were broken down
At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger.
For thus says the LORD: “The whole land shall be desolate; Yet I will not make a full end.
For this shall the earth mourn, And the heavens above be black, Because I have spoken.
I have purposed and will not relent, Nor will I turn back from it.
The whole city shall flee from the noise of the horsemen and bowmen.
They shall go into thickets and climb up on the rocks.
Every city shall be forsaken, And not a man shall dwell in it.
Jeremiah 4:20 - 29
Therefore a better translation would have rendered the the original text ‘hayah’ as ‘became’ or ‘had become’. In KJV the original text the word ‘hayah’ had been translated into the following: was (and other forms of the verb to be), come to pass, came, has been, fell (came upon), were happened, become (Deuteronomy 27:9; 2 Samuel 7:24), pertained, better for thee.
The word ‘hayah’ of the original text in this instance would also have been more accurately translated as become, became, had become or came about to be in as also in the follow other verses: Judges 18:19, Judges 20:3, 1 Samuel 2:11, Psalm 50:21, Isaiah 1:9 and Ezekiel 20:32. The word ‘hayah’ was translated as ‘become’ 68 times in the Old Covenant record of the KJV.
For it to be true to the message intent Genesis 1 verse 2 should have been translated as:
For it to be true to the message intent Genesis 1 verse 2 should have been translated as:
The earth became without form (waste), and void (empty); and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Or in a non word matched friendlier English translation as:
The earth became a wasted emptiness; and total darkness covered its entirety. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
If you can understand the discussion in the paragraphs above you should begin to see (if you can put two an two together) that as I have repeatedly and consistently showed, the whole point of the Christmas religion and other Antichrist religions, is to make the GOD of the Christian Bible and the Holy Scriptures to appear to be a total contradiction. That has been their implicit evil agenda ever since.
For the full account of what actually transpired in the Genesis chapter 1 creation week read the post title Genesis by this author.
face: [paniym]
In Strong’s Concordance the word ‘face’ [paniym] corresponds to Strong’s Number H6440 and occurs 2109 times in the Old Covenant records of the KJV.
Conceptual meanings (depending on the context):
1. The face of someone or something, the countenance, the frontal or external appearance.
2. Facing (to face, before the face of). A direct engagement with someone as in speaking face to face, or of presenting oneself before another.
3. Surface.
3. Surface.
deep: [tĕhowm]
In Strong’s Concordance the word ‘deep’ [tĕhowm] corresponds to Strong’s Number H8415 and occurs 36 times in the Old Covenant records of the KJV. The word does not have an equivalent transliteration in the Greek.
Conceptual meanings (depending on the context):
1. Pertaining to that which has great depth or deep.
2. Deep, depth.
2. Deep, depth.
Spirit: [ruwach]
In Strong’s Concordance the word ‘Spirit’ [ruwach] corresponds to Strong’s Number H7307 and occurs 378 times in the Old Covenant records of the KJV. The word with a similar conceptual meanings in the Greek Concordance as ‘Spirit’ [pneuma] corresponding to Strong’s Number G4151 occurs 385 times in the New Covenant records of the KJV.
Conceptual meanings (depending on the context):
1. The main conception meaning of this word covers a few contexts. The primary context is as something that sustains or enable life. A secondary context is that of something which imparts energy or impetus, or motivates. A third context focused on the characteristic such as something invisible and something that flows.
1. The HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.
1. The HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.
2. The Spirit element, of and in Angels.
3. The Spirit element in man and also in animals that have a certain consciousness awareness level.
4. Pertaining to attitudes, orientations, disposition and emotion driven pursuits.
5. Attitude.
6. Mood, Example: the prevailing mood, the general mood.
7. Breath as that which sustain the temporary life of mankind.
8. Impetus.
3. The Spirit element in man and also in animals that have a certain consciousness awareness level.
4. Pertaining to attitudes, orientations, disposition and emotion driven pursuits.
5. Attitude.
6. Mood, Example: the prevailing mood, the general mood.
7. Breath as that which sustain the temporary life of mankind.
8. Impetus.
There will be a separate post (article) dealing specifically with this word translated as ‘Spirit’ from the original text ‘ruwach’ as this a fairly complicated subject.
waters: [mayim]
In Strong’s Concordance the word ‘waters’ [mayim] corresponds to Strong’s Number H4325 and occurs 582 times in the Old Covenant records of the KJV.
Conceptual meanings (depending on the context):
1. The main concept is that of liquid or fluid.
2. Water.
3. Those that pertains to the watery or that which flows.
2. Water.
3. Those that pertains to the watery or that which flows.
Comments and questions on issues of doctrines and facts raised here can be directed to chquah@gmail.com. Only sincere non malicious comments and questions seeking clarification and understanding will be entertained.
Note:
1. Words in italic referenced titles or proper names where this applies, otherwise these are personal notes to selected people who are familiar with them.
2. Please refer to the Special Note at the About Page of this blog for the contextual basis of the discussions of this blog.
3. The various chapters and articles discussed here are by no means exhaustive of the doctrines, prophesies, subjects and answers to questions on the Christian Holy Scriptures.
4. Scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.
5. Please bear in mind that this stuff here is for foundation understanding and some 'deeper' verses and advanced doctrines are skipped.
6. The word or term 'man' is used throughout as a reference to man specifically as well as to all mankind (male and female) according to the context in the same way as the Bible used the term.
7. For the complete listing of titles and discussions of this author on the Christian faith (or religion) please refer to the Start or Home page of 'The Holy Bible Expounded'. Also listed in this post page are the latest published posts of all the Christian topic blogs of this author.
© Quah 2009 - 2013. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
All reference to GOD (in caps or uppercase) in this site refers to the CREATOR GOD whose original inspired Words are the basis of the Christian Bible unless otherwise denoted.
All published information on this topic is targeted at the true disciples of the faith, the Elect, not the false professed believers. Those of other religious faith who are easily offended by simple. clear and obvious truth are advised not to read any of the blogs entries posted here.
All views, statements and discussions are the personal religious belief and conviction of this author and directed at persons of same faith, religious belief and conviction.
Nonetheless any truly sincere seeker of the CREATOR of all things should be able to related to and understand the topic, if seeking said CREATOR in truth and humility, seeking to understand and to learn.
All those who are not interested in, or not seeking to know the truth should not read materials and articles by this author in his books or blogs as the simple, clear and obvious truth will most probably offend their sensitivity and infuriate them..
The author is neither responsible for nor does he approve or endorse any advertisement for subscriptions, products or services advertised in this blog space.
Note:
1. Words in italic referenced titles or proper names where this applies, otherwise these are personal notes to selected people who are familiar with them.
2. Please refer to the Special Note at the About Page of this blog for the contextual basis of the discussions of this blog.
3. The various chapters and articles discussed here are by no means exhaustive of the doctrines, prophesies, subjects and answers to questions on the Christian Holy Scriptures.
4. Scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.
5. Please bear in mind that this stuff here is for foundation understanding and some 'deeper' verses and advanced doctrines are skipped.
6. The word or term 'man' is used throughout as a reference to man specifically as well as to all mankind (male and female) according to the context in the same way as the Bible used the term.
7. For the complete listing of titles and discussions of this author on the Christian faith (or religion) please refer to the Start or Home page of 'The Holy Bible Expounded'. Also listed in this post page are the latest published posts of all the Christian topic blogs of this author.
© Quah 2009 - 2013. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
All reference to GOD (in caps or uppercase) in this site refers to the CREATOR GOD whose original inspired Words are the basis of the Christian Bible unless otherwise denoted.
All published information on this topic is targeted at the true disciples of the faith, the Elect, not the false professed believers. Those of other religious faith who are easily offended by simple. clear and obvious truth are advised not to read any of the blogs entries posted here.
All views, statements and discussions are the personal religious belief and conviction of this author and directed at persons of same faith, religious belief and conviction.
Nonetheless any truly sincere seeker of the CREATOR of all things should be able to related to and understand the topic, if seeking said CREATOR in truth and humility, seeking to understand and to learn.
All those who are not interested in, or not seeking to know the truth should not read materials and articles by this author in his books or blogs as the simple, clear and obvious truth will most probably offend their sensitivity and infuriate them..
The author is neither responsible for nor does he approve or endorse any advertisement for subscriptions, products or services advertised in this blog space.
First Posted: 2011 07 16
