Genesis 1:5

“And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations

And God called the light, Day, and the darknesse he called Night: and the euening and the morning were the first day.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
- American Standard Version (1901)

Naming the light, Day, and the dark, Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
- Basic English Bible

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening, and there was morning -- the first day.
- Darby Bible

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night: and the evening and the morning were the first day.
- Webster's Bible

God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." There was evening and there was morning, one day.
- World English Bible

and God calleth to the light `Day,' and to the darkness He hath called `Night;' and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day one.
- Youngs Literal Bible

And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Genesis 1:5


1:3-5 We have here a farther account of the first day's work. In which observe, 1. That the first of all visible beings which God created was light, the great beauty and blessing of the universe: like the first - born, it doth, of all visible beings, most resemble its great parent in purity and power, brightness and beneficence. 2. That the light was made by the word of God's power; He said, Let there be light - He willed it, and it was done; there was light - Such a copy as exactly answered the original idea in the eternal mind. 3. That the light which God willed, he approved of. God saw the light, that it was good - 'Twas exactly as he designed it; and it was fit to answer the end for which he designed it. 4. That God divided the light from the darkness - So put them asunder as they could never be joined together: and yet he divided time between them, the day for light, and the night for darkness, in a constant succession. Tho' the darkness was now scattered by the light, yet it has its place, because it has its use; for as the light of the morning befriends the business of the day, so the shadows of the evening befriend the repose of the night. God has thus divided between light and darkness, because he would daily mind us that this is a world of mixtures and changes. In heaven there is perpetual light, and no darkness; in hell utter darkness, and no light: but in this world they are counter - changed, and we pass daily from one to another; that we may learn to expect the like vicissitudes in the providence of God. 5. That God divided them from each other by distinguishing names. He called the light Day, and the darkness he called night - He gave them names as Lord of both. He is the Lord of time, and will be so 'till day and night shall come to an end, and the stream of time be swallowed up in the ocean of eternity. 6. That this was the first day's work, The evening and the morning were the first day - The darkness of the evening was before the light of the morning, that it might set it off, and make it shine the brighter.

1:6-8 We have here an account of the second day's work, the creation of the firmament. In which observe, 1. The command of God; Let there be a firmament - An expansion; so the Hebrew word signifies, like a sheet spread, or a curtain drawn out. This includes all that is visible above the earth, between it and the third heavens, the air, its higher, middle, and lower region, the celestial globe, and all the orbs of light above; it reaches as high as the place where the stars are fixed, for that is called here the firmament of heaven, #Ge 1:14|,15, and as low as the place where the birds fly for that also is called the firmament of heaven, #Ge 1:20|. 2. The creation of it: and God made the firmament. 3. The design of it; to divide the waters from the waters - That is, to distinguish between the waters that are wrapt up in the clouds, and those that cover the sea; the waters in the air, and those in the earth. 4. The naming it; He called the firmament Heaven - 'Tis the visible heaven, the pavement of the holy city. The height of the heavens should mind us of God's supremacy, and the infinite distance that is between us and him; the brightness of the heavens, and their purity, should mind us of his majesty, and perfect holiness; the vastness of the heavens, and their encompassing the earth, and influence upon it, should mind us of his immensity and universal providence.


Discussion for Genesis 1:5

  • if Genesis 1:5 was THE 1st day then there were no millions or billions of years because time did not yet exist.
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  • ROSEMARY for verse 5
    I love the word of god genesis 1.5
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  • Marilyn Turner for verse 5
    Light was created first here. God named it day. Christ said, "Are there not twelve hours in a day? " So we have a day created here, what comes after day, I would say evening, then morning...day one! The rest is history!
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  • Jerry for verse 5
    What has been created by God it is unquotionable
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  • REV. HAMILTON PAGAN, M.A. for verse 5
    Spiritually, there is a messge for us in the creation of day and night.the day shows man there is a new beginning, an new day, a new start, a new arising. the beginning of a new day points toward the beginning of a new life. we are start life all over again we can be born again and be spiritually renewed. we can become a new creature, an new man in Christ. God named the light day, and the darkness He named night. note two facts,1. god , not man named the light and darkness. this very significant. it shows the God is the Lord of both day and night, not man. Light and darkness are both part of God 's creation. both are good both have their purpose and function in God 's creation.
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  • God could not have been talking in terms of the sunlight because it came later into the creation time frame. So what is the Light and secondly what is the darkness and why does God call them day and night?
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