Genesis 1:16
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And God made two great lights,.... This was his own work which he himself did, and not by another; and may be particularly observed to express the folly of idolaters in worshipping these luminaries which were the creations of God, and were placed by him in the heaven to serve some purposes on earth beneficial to men, but not to be worshipped. These two "great lights" are the sun and the moon; and they may well be called great, especially the former, for the diameter of the sun is reckoned to be about eight hundred thousand miles. According to Mr. Derham (i) its apparent diameter is computed at 822,145 English miles, its ambit at 2,582,873 miles, and its solid contents at 290,971,000,000,000,000: the lowest account makes the sun a hundred thousand times bigger than the earth; and according to Sir Isaac

Newton it is 900,000 bigger. The moon's diameter is to that of the earth is about twenty seven per cent, or 2175 miles, its surface contains fourteen hundred thousand square miles (k): it is called great, not on account of its corporeal quantity, for it is the least of all the planets excepting Mercury, but because of its quality, as a light, it reflecting more light upon the earth than any besides the sun, The greater light to rule the day: not to rule men, though the heathens have worshipped it under the names of Molech and Baal, which signify king and lord, as if it was their lord and king to whom they were to pay homage; but to rule the day, to preside over it, to make it, give light in it, and continue it to its proper length; and in which it rules alone, the moon, nor any of the other planets then appearing: this is called the "greater" light, in comparison of the moon, not only with respect to its body or substance, but on account of its light, which is far greater and stronger than that of the moon; and which indeed receives its light from it, the moon being, as is generally said, an opaque body: and the lesser light to rule the night; to give light then, though in a fainter, dimmer way, by reflecting it from the sun; and it rules alone, the sun being absent from the earth, and is of great use to travellers and sailors; it is called the lesser light, in comparison of the sun. Astronomers are of opinion, as Calmet (l) observes, that it is about fifty two times smaller than the earth, and four thousand one hundred and fifty times smaller than the sun; but these proportions are otherwise determined by the generality of modern astronomers: however, they all agree that the moon is abundantly less than the sun; and that it is as a light, we all know, He made the stars also; to rule by night, Psa 136:9 not only the planets, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Venus, but the vast numbers of stars with which the heavens are bespangled, and which reflect some degree of light upon the earth; with the several constellations, some of which the Scriptures speak of, as Arcturus, Orion, Pleiades, and the chambers of the south, Job 9:9 , Job 38:31 though some restrain this to the five planets only. Ed. Contrast the foolishness of modern cosmology with the writings of the early church father, Theophilus when he states (j): On the fourth day the luminaries came into existence. Since God has foreknowledge, he understood the nonsense of the foolish philosophers who were going to say that the things produced on earth came from the stars, so that they might set God aside. In order therefore that the truth might be demonstrated, plants and seeds came into existence before stars. For what comes into existence later cannot cause what is prior to it.'' (i) Astro-Theology, B. 1. c. 2. & B. 6. c. 2. (j) Cited from Impact 251. ICR "Acts and Facts" (May 1994); Theophilus, "To Autolycus" 2. 4, Oxford Early Christian Texts, as cited in Louis Lavalle, "The Early Church Defended Creation Science" Impact 160. ICR "Acts and Facts" (October 1986): ii. (k) Chambers's Dictionary in the word "Moon". (l) Dictionary in the word "Moon".

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H6213 עָשָׂה
Definition:

A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows) -- accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly,

Possible Meanings:
  • press (semantic_range)
  • squeeze (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H8147 שְׁנַיִם
Definition:

768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת 768noun masculine and feminine dualtwo(Late Hebrewid.; Phoenicianאשנם(and׳שנsecond), PunicשנםLzb380; Arabic; SabeanתֿניHomChr 47, Aramaicתְּרֵין,(תִּנְיָנָא,second); Nabataeanתרין, Palmyrene feminineת

H3974 מָאוֹר
Definition:

16+; constructמְאוֺרProverbs 15:30+; pluralמְאוֺרֹתGenesis 1:15;מְאֹרֹתGenesis 1:14;Genesis 1:16; constructמְאוֺרֵיEzekiel 32:8—light, light-bearer, luminary, lamp, of sun & moonGenesis 1:14,15,16 (3 16+; constructמְאוֺרProverbs 15:30+; pluralמְאוֺרֹתGenesis 1:15;מְאֹרֹתGenesis 1:14;Genesis 1:16; constructמְאוֺרֵיEzekiel 32:8—light, light-bearer, luminary, lamp, of sun & moonGenesis 1:14,15,16 (3

H1419 גָּדוֹל
Definition:

13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t. 13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t.

Possible Meanings:
  • great (semantic_range)
  • loud (semantic_range)
  • do great things (semantic_range)
  • greatness (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3974 מָאוֹר
Definition:

16+; constructמְאוֺרProverbs 15:30+; pluralמְאוֺרֹתGenesis 1:15;מְאֹרֹתGenesis 1:14;Genesis 1:16; constructמְאוֺרֵיEzekiel 32:8—light, light-bearer, luminary, lamp, of sun & moonGenesis 1:14,15,16 (3 16+; constructמְאוֺרProverbs 15:30+; pluralמְאוֺרֹתGenesis 1:15;מְאֹרֹתGenesis 1:14;Genesis 1:16; constructמְאוֺרֵיEzekiel 32:8—light, light-bearer, luminary, lamp, of sun & moonGenesis 1:14,15,16 (3

H1419 גָּדוֹל
Definition:

13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t. 13 279t.;גָּדֹלDeuteronomy 26:822t.; constructגְּדוֺלEzekiel 17:3,7;Jeremiah 32:19,גְּדָלֿProverbs 19:19,גְּדָו֯לֿPsalm 145:8;Nahum 1:3; suffixגְּדוֺלָםJeremiah 6:132t.; pluralגְּדוֺלִיםExodus 7:411t.

Possible Meanings:
  • great (semantic_range)
  • loud (semantic_range)
  • do great things (semantic_range)
  • greatness (semantic_range)
H4475 מֶמְשָׁלָה
Definition:

8; constructמֶמְשֶׁ֫לֶתPsalm 136:8(beforeבְּGes§ 130, 1 Köii. 182),Jeremiah 34:12t.; suffixמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָIsaiah 22:21;Psalm 145:13;מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ1 Kings 9:196t.; plural constructמֶמְשְׁלוֺתPsalm 136:9; 8; constructמֶמְשֶׁ֫לֶתPsalm 136:8(beforeבְּGes§ 130, 1 Köii. 182),Jeremiah 34:12t.; suffixמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָIsaiah 22:21;Psalm 145:13;מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ1 Kings 9:196t.; plural constructמֶמְשְׁלוֺתPsalm 136:9;

Possible Meanings:
  • rule (semantic_range)
  • dominion (semantic_range)
  • realm (semantic_range)
H3117 יוֹם
Definition:

5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo 5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo

H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3974 מָאוֹר
Definition:

16+; constructמְאוֺרProverbs 15:30+; pluralמְאוֺרֹתGenesis 1:15;מְאֹרֹתGenesis 1:14;Genesis 1:16; constructמְאוֺרֵיEzekiel 32:8—light, light-bearer, luminary, lamp, of sun & moonGenesis 1:14,15,16 (3 16+; constructמְאוֺרProverbs 15:30+; pluralמְאוֺרֹתGenesis 1:15;מְאֹרֹתGenesis 1:14;Genesis 1:16; constructמְאוֺרֵיEzekiel 32:8—light, light-bearer, luminary, lamp, of sun & moonGenesis 1:14,15,16 (3

H6996 קָטָן
Definition:

Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; fromquwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance) -- least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantit Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; fromquwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance) -- least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantit

H4475 מֶמְשָׁלָה
Definition:

8; constructמֶמְשֶׁ֫לֶתPsalm 136:8(beforeבְּGes§ 130, 1 Köii. 182),Jeremiah 34:12t.; suffixמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָIsaiah 22:21;Psalm 145:13;מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ1 Kings 9:196t.; plural constructמֶמְשְׁלוֺתPsalm 136:9; 8; constructמֶמְשֶׁ֫לֶתPsalm 136:8(beforeבְּGes§ 130, 1 Köii. 182),Jeremiah 34:12t.; suffixמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָIsaiah 22:21;Psalm 145:13;מֶמְשַׁלְתּוֺ1 Kings 9:196t.; plural constructמֶמְשְׁלוֺתPsalm 136:9;

Possible Meanings:
  • rule (semantic_range)
  • dominion (semantic_range)
  • realm (semantic_range)
H3915 לַיִל
Definition:

5night(Late Hebrewid.; MI15(ב)ללה; Aramaicלֵילָא,,; Arabic,; Ethiopicall =night; Assyrianlîlâtu,eveningDlHWB; meaning of √ dubious; form probablyלילי, and endingהָ֯radical, and notהlocative, NöM 127Dl 5night(Late Hebrewid.; MI15(ב)ללה; Aramaicלֵילָא,,; Arabic,; Ethiopicall =night; Assyrianlîlâtu,eveningDlHWB; meaning of √ dubious; form probablyלילי, and endingהָ֯radical, and notהlocative, NöM 127Dl

H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3556 כּוֹכָב
Definition:

5star(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicכּוֺכְבָא,כּוֺכַבְתָּא,, feminine form specifically of planet Venus, see also WeSkizzen iii. 36, 38; ArabicGenerally ofsingle starsand probably Aramaic loan-word, WeSkizze 5star(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicכּוֺכְבָא,כּוֺכַבְתָּא,, feminine form specifically of planet Venus, see also WeSkizzen iii. 36, 38; ArabicGenerally ofsingle starsand probably Aramaic loan-word, WeSkizze

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 1 All Chapters