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יֹ֥ום הַשִּׁשִּֽׁי The sixth day The sixth day was for the "world" of mankind. The animals were there as companions and the plants were for food. The deep waters of the sea were a mystery left for modern explorers to uncover. The word שִּׁשִּֽׁי ( shishshiy sixth) comes from the cardinal number שֵׁשׁ ( shesh six), which in turn comes from the verb שׂוּשׂ ( süs ) which means "to rejoice". It seems that since the hand has five fingers, one of the most primitive numbers indicated abundance. This aligns with the message of the last creation day. The words new to the reader follow: [ behemah ] בְּהֵמָה , livestock, cattle. [ adam ] אָדָ֛ם , man, mankind, Adam [ tselem ] צֶלֶם , image, likeness [ dem·üth ] דְּמוּת , likeness, similitude; from דָּמָה , to be like, similar [ zä·kär ] זָכָר , male; from the verb זָכַר (zä·kar), to remember [ nĕqebah ] נְקֵבָה , female; from נָקַב ( naqab ), to designate, appoint [ kabash ...

יֹ֥ום חֲמִישִֽׁי Fifth Day After providing everything needed to sustain it, God created living (moving) things. This is a turning point it creation. By adding sentience and movement, the Creator shared more of His character to the universe. Animals can consciously form relationships with others of their kind and form beneficial bonds with other species as well. The account of the fifth day introduced the following words: [sharats] v. שָׁרַץ to swarm, to bring forth abundantly; to creep, crawl. n. [sherets] שֶׁרֶץ : swarmers, creepers; a swarm [nephesh] נֶפֶשׁ soul, life, person [ chay] חַי living, alive; from חָיָה, to live. [ `owph] n. עוֹף a flying thing [ `uwph] v. עוּף to fly [ tanniyn] תַּנִּין dragon, serpent, whale, "sea monster" [ ramas] רָמַשׂ  creep, move lightly, move about [ kanaph ] כָּנָף  wing, extremity, edge [ rabah ] רָבָה to be great, many, much or numerous [ chamiyshiy] חֲמִישִׁי adj. fifth, from חָמֵשׁ (chamesh) five

יֹ֥ום שְׁלִישִֽׁי The Third Day The primary root of the verb שָׁלַשׁ (shalash), translated "to do or be of a third part", may have originally meant "to intensify". However it always acts as a number in all its forms. The Hebrew word for three is שָׁלוֹשׁ (shalosh). In its use in the language, the idea of fullness is clearly seen. Many of the sacrifices had to be three years old, Elijah had water poured out three times. The third day often indicates a limit, as if to call for patience. On the third day the earth became fully suitable for habitation. Everything from this point on would be for the benefit of the inhabitants. The words in this portion: [`asah] עָשָׂה . To do, make, work, form [ raqiya` ] רָקִיעַ . Expanse, firmament. Literally, that which is spread out (from the verb רָקַע). [ tavek ] תָּוֶךְ, Within, among [ tachath ] תַּחַת . Under [" asher ] אֲשֶׁר . That, which, who [ sheni ] שֵׁנִי . Two, second. From the verb שָׁנָה (to...

יֹ֥ום אֶחָֽד Day One Among certain scholars there is discussion over what all is included in day one ( אֶחָֽד 'echad ). Some put the beginning in verse 1. Others follow the formula "And God said..." I lean toward the latter position. The length of each creation day does not necessarily have to be equal until life appears. Therefore, the gathering and organization of the raw material may be undated and "timeless". This could have been close to instantaneous or limited by the laws of physics. Furthermore, if the sphere of water was within time as we know it, it could have taken a decade or so to rotate before the second day began. This being miraculous in any account, God may have transcended the laws of physics. If this the case, the evidence is not in the text or nature. Though God was everywhere, the account indicates a light and dark cycle, three days before the sun was there. Today, three weeks in, is a good place t...

וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֨הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י תְהֹ֑ום וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם Gen 1:2 From Chaos to Order Whereas verse 1 accents the fact of creation, verse 2 displays the process of God's working the miracle. Creation is an orderly arrangement of 40 to 50 billion trillion trillion trillion trillion invisible particles by means of vibrations. This can only be accomplished by One who is both omnipotent and omniscient. There would be no mistakes, for each atom was individually "programmed" to specifications needed to react with other atoms. Once gravity was in affect, the molecules needed for everything else could be manufactured. As the Spirit settled into place among the atoms, He was present everywhere. Being omnipresent made the work instantaneous. From then on, time was introduced for the benefit of mankind. To recap the words so far:  ( 1) [b'] בְּ   at, by, in, with (2) [ rōs...

הַ ... וְ These Things Before moving on to the "main course", let's look at two more "utensils" on the table. Just like the first word, B´, the article H´ and conjunction W´ look like prefixes. The definite article "the" sets a thing apart, while the conjunction "and" brings things together. The Biblical languages lack an "indefinite" article, though the words for "one" are sometimes used for the idea of "no particular..." On the other hand, the conjunction waw (w) is versatile. In between words it means "and", but at the beginning of sentences it can be translated "now", "then" or even "so". Both Hebrew letters, the "he" and the "waw" were originally vowels, E and U, respectively. This can be seen in the Greek transliterations η and υ . Suffice it to say, the addition of vowel "points" reflects a fluid and living...

Introduction At the beginning of a new year, it's important to put first things first. It is my intention to move word by word through Genesis and share my observations with those God sends this way. The first word is actually a phrase, rendered "In the beginning" in most translations. In the next post I will show how the other uses or this phrase accents both the author and the message of the Bible. I would greatly appreciate feedback and support in the comments.