Genesis 1:2

“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.”

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations

And the earth was without forme, and voyd, and darkenesse was vpon the face of the deepe: and the Spirit of God mooued vpon the face of the waters.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And the earth was waste and without form; and it was dark on the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God was moving on the face of the waters.
- Basic English Bible

And the earth was waste and empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
- Darby Bible

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.
- Webster's Bible

Now the earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God's Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
- World English Bible

the earth hath existed waste and void, and darkness [is] on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God fluttering on the face of the waters,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Genesis 1:2


1:2 Where we have an account of the first matter, and the first Mover. 1. A chaos was the first matter. 'Tis here called the earth, (tho' the earth, properly taken, was not made 'till the third day, #Ge 1:10|) because it did most resemble that which was afterwards called earth, a heavy unwieldy mass. 'Tis also called the deep, both for its vastness, and because the waters which were afterwards separated from the earth were now mixed with it. This mighty bulk of matter was it, out of which all bodies were afterwards produced. The Creator could have made his work perfect at first, but by this gradual proceeding he would shew what is ordinarily the method of his providence, and grace. This chaos, was without form and void. Tohu and Bohu, confusion and emptiness, so those words are rendered, #Isa 34:11|. 'Twas shapeless, 'twas useless, 'twas without inhabitants, without ornaments; the shadow or rough draught of things to come. To those who have their hearts in heaven, this lower world, in comparison of the upper, still appears to be confusion and emptiness. And darkness was upon the face of the deep - God did not create this darkness, (as he is said to create the darkness of affliction, #Isa 45:7|.) for it was only the want of light. 2. The Spirit of God was the first Mover; He moved upon the face of the waters - He moved upon the face of the deep, as the hen gathereth her chicken under her wings, and hovers over them, to warm and cherish them, #Mt 23:37 as the eagle stirs up her nest|, and fluttereth over her young, ('tis the same word that is here used) #Deut 32:11|.


Discussion for Genesis 1:2

  • Ron DeLeo for verse 2
    I believe the bible is telling us that there was nothing physical in existance before this the first day. And that includes space. Before the first day space was not needed because spirits do not take up space. I believe that the space we live in had to be created before anything else could be. This is the very start of creation before the first atom was created it had to have space to be in. I believe God created space and He called it heaven. Man is so self centered that when the bible says "created heaven and earth " he named where we live Earth. I believe the earth that was created at the beginning of the first dayis all of the atoms that are in existance today each one of them alone with not even so much as a molicule being formed. And that is why the earth had no form and darkness was in the deep. If you want to talk about how old the universe is this will put a thousand times on the longest estimation
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  • Billy Davis for verse 2
    How in heavens name can anyone believe in the gap THEORY? Just read what the Messiah said in Mark 10:6 this should cause anyone that will believe ALL that the prophets have spoken to reject this gap THEORY. Mark 10:6 6 But from the beginning of the creation 1 Yahweh made them male and female. And if you still hold on to the gap THEORY remember too what is written in Luke 24: 25 Then He said to them: O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
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  • Leon Kruger for verse 2
    The earth-already existed. God is the God of excellence. Does he create chaos? For who was the earth originally created? What destroyed earth in the first place? The first ruler was found wanting and was thrown out of Heaven. Did he struck the earth and caused the destruction? Did this caused the 1st flood?
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  • Genesis 1 1, 2 relates to a time before the six days outlined above. When these days commenced, the sun, moon, and stars were already in existence, their creation being referred to at Genesis 1 1. However, prior to these six days of creative activity the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of the watery deep. Ge 1 2 Apparently, a swaddling band of cloud layers still enveloped the earth, preventing light from reaching its surface.
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  • R Daisley for verse 2
    Firstly, in verse 1, God created the heavens and the earth, no questions about that,now in verse 2 we are told that the earth was without form and void. We have to determine what void means and also what without form means. someone else in their comments above referred to the words Tohu and Bohu. Tohu refers to a break down,a mess, in shambles or confused. This is what "without form " implies so in actuality an influence or some sort has taken place. so some action has changed the original intent of what was in verse 1, "Order " It was once orderly but now has become confused. So a sentencing has been passed, the state of things has ben judged. So apparently satans fall may have taken place at this juncture, the earth was also void. Naturally meaning emptiness, waste. In referring to satan, Ezekiel says in chapter 28 15 Thou was perfect in thy ways until iniquity was found in thee. So Ezekiel here was privileged to some information or given a view of what was to be. In verse one he says the word of the Lord came unto me. When we look at Isaiah 34, Isaiah 45 we clearly get the understanding of the break down
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  • Gayle Adcock for verse 2
    what happen between gen.1 1 GEN 1 2 Why was the creation void?
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