Question: What are the exegesis/word studies of Genesis 1:1-5?
As almost everybody knows, intellectual warfare has existed between Bible Creationists and Evolutionists since at least the mid-1800s, regarding the origin of all “matter”, with one side advocating “Biblical Creation by Almighty God” (Creation by design), and the other side advocating “spontaneous appearing” (arrival by accident from nothing)!
There are a number of important points to examine as far as logically possible in this effort; drawing from available information in the Bible; and in Science.
What is known regarding “matters” origin; and what purpose is served in the fact of its existence? (Isa. 45:18).
There is the distinct possibility/probability that part of the argument between the two factions is unnecessary, as in the opinion of the writers, Science and Creationists have at least one common factor, which many already accept; that God created all “matter”; initiated the “Big Bang” (if that theory is correct); and Created all life from Eden onwards; with the comment, "it was very good" (Gen. 1:31).
God does not mention previous Creation at that stage; but it is indicatively implicit in the accounts given in the Bible regarding Satan. (See below Links); and also in the KJV of Genesis 1:28 (“replenish the Earth”). The word in KJV should have been translated “fill”; as according to some comment the meaning changed to “fill” between AD1611 and the 1800s. However; many hold to the word “replenish” (i.e. renew or refill) as the actual meaning. However Interlinear shows the Strongs Number 4390, which can mean both, and many other definitions, depending on context! This therefore leaves the actual purposed meaning open to further Biblical information and direction.
In the Creation of Adam and Eve, a remarkable statement is made by Almighty God, which is the first time in Scripture: “Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness”, (Gen. 1:26-27).
In the Companion Bible, Dr. Bullinger/Dr. Ginsburg comment on this remarkable statement: the Figure ‘Hendiadys’ (see App. 6), meaning ‘one thing, not two’; or; 2 words used, but one thing meant. Here the meaning is “the 2nd person” (Jesus the Christ “Elohim”) who had taken creature form in order to create (Col. 1:15, Heb. 1:3, Rev. 3:14 and compare Prov. 8:22-31 & 1Cor. 11:3-11).
This refers only to outward form, not to attributes.
So, He afterwards took human form in order to redeem (Jhn. 1:14; compare Rev. 4:11 & 5:9). "The image and likeness is physical not moral”.
What is being described here is Jehovah God, in His Great Power, taking “Elohim”, creature form for first the Creation purpose, and then human form for the Redeeming / Salvation purpose, (for Israel) and (His (Christ’s) Body); i.e. True Christ-ones! (This should not be surprising to people; as He is "Almighty"!
Well-meaning Christians have for generations taught and been taught that the Earth is approx. 6,000 years old; because working back through the data which the Bible provides of the life spans of its main characters from Adam up to Jesus the Christ, gives that time scale, together with the well-known dating since Jesus; with minor variation, due to Calendar changes.
The mistaken assumption that the two; (the time span of mankind since Eden and the age of the Earth) are identical, because of the apparent wording of Genesis; has led many sincere and intelligent people to discredit the Bible, by their dogged and dogmatic defence of that idea and teaching, against all attempts to discuss otherwise.
See:
Genesis 1:1 Enigma (study)
Genesis 1 and 2 (study)
Genesis 1:1, and 1:2 Questions (study)
Age of the Earth Controversy: (study)
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