Genesis
King James Version (KJV)
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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Genesis 1:16 Context
13And the evening and the morning were the third day. 14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16And 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. 17And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
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Other Translations
And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the starres also.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
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.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: `he made' the stars also.
- American Standard Version (1901)
And God made the two great lights: the greater light to be the ruler of the day, and the smaller light to be the ruler of the night: and he made the stars.
- Basic English Bible
And God made the two great lights, the great light to rule the day, and the small light to rule the night, -- and the stars.
- Darby Bible
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.
- Webster's Bible
God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.
- World English Bible
And God maketh the two great luminaries, the great luminary for the rule of the day, and the small luminary -- and the stars -- for the rule of the night;
- Youngs Literal Bible
And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
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.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: `he made' the stars also.
- American Standard Version (1901)
And God made the two great lights: the greater light to be the ruler of the day, and the smaller light to be the ruler of the night: and he made the stars.
- Basic English Bible
And God made the two great lights, the great light to rule the day, and the small light to rule the night, -- and the stars.
- Darby Bible
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.
- Webster's Bible
God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.
- World English Bible
And God maketh the two great luminaries, the great luminary for the rule of the day, and the small luminary -- and the stars -- for the rule of the night;
- Youngs Literal Bible
And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Bible commentary
Wesley's Notes for Genesis 1:16
1:14-19 This is the history of the fourth day's work, the creating the sun, moon and stars. Of this we have an account, In general, verse 14, 15. where we have, The command given concerning them. Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven - God had said, #Ge 1:3| Let there be light, and there was light; but that was, as it were, a chaos of light, scattered and confused; now it was collected and made into several luminaries, and so rendered both more glorious and more serviceable. The use they were intended to be of to this earth. They must be for the distinction of times, of day and night, summer and winter. They must be for the direction of actions: they are for signs of the change of weather, that the husbandman may order his affairs with discretion. They do also give light upon the earth - That we may walk #John 11:9 and work John 9:4| according as the duty of every day requires. The lights of heaven do not shine for themselves, nor for the world of spirits above, they need them not; but they shine for us, and for our pleasure and advantage. Lord, what is man that he should be thus regarded, #Ps 8:3|,4. In particular, #Ge 1:16|,17,18, The lights of heaven are the sun, moon and stars, and these all are the work of God's hands. The sun is the greatest light of all, and the most glorious and useful of all the lamps of heaven; a noble instance of the Creator's wisdom, power and goodness, and an invaluable blessing to the creatures of this lower world. The moon is a lesser light, and yet is here reckoned one of the greater lights, because, though in regard of its magnitude, it is inferior to many of the stars, yet in respect of its usefulness to the earth, it is more excellent than they. He made the stars also - Which are here spoken of only in general; for the scriptures were written not to gratify our curiosity, but to lead us to God. Now, these lights are said to rule, #Ge 1:16|,18; not that they have a supreme dominion as God has, but they are rulers under him. Here the lesser light, the moon, is said to rule the night; but #Ps 136:9 the stars are mentioned as sharers in that government|, the moon and stars to rule by night. No more is meant, but that they give light, #Jer 31:35|. The best and most honourable way of ruling is, by giving light, and doing good.
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