Genesis 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And all the host of them - The word host signifies literally an army, composed of a number of companies of soldiers under their respective leaders; and seems here elegantly applied to the various celestial bodies in our system, placed by the Divine wisdom under the influence of the sun. From the original word צבא tsaba, a host, some suppose the Sabeans had their name, because of their paying Divine honors to the heavenly bodies. From the Septuagint version of this place, πας ὁ κοσμος αυτων, all their ornaments, we learn the true meaning of the word κοσμος, commonly translated world, which signifies a decorated or adorned whole or system. And this refers to the beautiful order, harmony, and regularity which subsist among the various parts of creation. This translation must impress the reader with a very favorable opinion of these ancient Greek translators; had they not examined the works of God with a philosophic eye, they never could have given this turn to the original.
Open source ↗THE NARRATIVE OF THE SIX DAYS' CREATION CONTINUED. The course of the narrative is improperly broken by the division of the chapter. (Gen 2:1) the heavens--the firmament or atmosphere. host--a multitude, a numerous array, usually connected in Scripture with heaven only, but here with the earth also, meaning all that they contain. were finished--brought to completion. No permanent change has ever since been made in the course of the world, no new species of animals been formed, no law of nature repealed or added to. They could have been finished in a moment as well as in six days, but the work of creation was gradual for the instruction of man, as well, perhaps, as of higher creatures (Job 38:7).
Open source ↗Thus the heavens and the earth were finished,.... Perfected and completed in the space of six days, gradually, successively, in the manner before related; by the word and power of God they were on the first day created out of nothing, but they were not perfected, beautified, and adorned, and filled, until all the creatures in the were made: and all the host them, of the heavens and the earth; the host of heavens are the sun, moon, and stars, often so called in Scripture, and also the angels; see Luk 2:13 wherefore this may be considered as a proof of their creation within the above space of time, probably on the first day, though the Jews commonly say on the second; for if all the host of heaven were made at this time, and angels are at least a part of that host, then they must be then made, or otherwise all the host of heaven were not then and there made, as here affirmed: and the host of the earth, or terraqueous globe, are the plants, herbs, and trees, the fowls, fishes, animals, and man; and these are like hosts or armies, very numerous, and at the command of God, and are marshalled and kept in order by him; even some of the smallest of creatures are his army, which are at his beck, and he can make use of to the annoyance of others, as particularly the locusts are called, Joe 2:11.
Open source ↗The Sabbath of Creation. - "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." צבא here denotes the totality of the beings that fill the heaven and the earth: in other places (see especially Neh 9:6) it is applied to the host of heaven, i.e., the stars (Deu 4:19; Deu 17:3), and according to a still later representation, to the angels also (Kg1 22:19; Isa 24:21; Neh 9:6; Psa 148:2). These words of Gen 2:1 introduce the completion of the work of creation, and give a greater definiteness to the announcement in Gen 2:2, Gen 2:3, that on the seventh day God ended the work which He had made, by ceasing to create, and blessing the day and sanctifying it. The completion or finishing (כּלּה) of the work of creation on the seventh day (not on the sixth, as the lxx, Sam., and Syr. erroneously render it) can only be understood by regarding the clauses Gen 2:2 and Gen 2:3, which are connected with ויכל by ו consec. as containing the actual completion, i.e., by supposing the completion to consist, negatively in the cessation of the work of creation, and positively in the blessing and sanctifying of the seventh day. The cessation itself formed part of the completion of the work (for this meaning of שׁבת vid., Gen 8:22; Job 32:1, etc.). As a human artificer completes his work just when he has brought it up to his ideal and ceases to work upon it, so in an infinitely higher sense, God completed the creation of the world with all its inhabitants by ceasing to produce anything new, and entering into the rest of His all-sufficient eternal Being, from which He had come forth, as it were, at and in the creation of a world distinct from His own essence. Hence ceasing to create is called resting (נוּח) in Exo 20:11, and being refreshed (ינּפשׁ) in Exo 31:17. The rest into…
Open source ↗We have here, I. The settlement of the kingdom of nature, in God's resting from the work of creation, Gen 2:1, Gen 2:2. Here observe, 1. The creatures made both in heaven and earth are the hosts or armies of them, which denotes them to be numerous, but marshalled, disciplined, and under command. How great is the sum of them! And yet every one knows and keeps his place. God uses them as his hosts for the defence of his people and the destruction of his enemies; for he is the Lord of hosts, of all these hosts, Dan 4:35. 2. The heavens and the earth are finished pieces, and so are all the creatures in them. So perfect is God's work that nothing can be added to it nor taken from it, Ecc 3:14. God that began to build showed himself well able to finish. 3. After the end of the first six days God ceased from all works of creation. He has so ended his work as that though, in his providence, he worketh hitherto (Joh 5:17), preserving and governing all the creatures, and particularly forming the spirit of man within him, yet he does not make any new species of creatures. In miracles, he has controlled and overruled nature, but never changed its settled course, nor repealed nor added to any of its establishments. 4. The eternal God, though infinitely happy in the enjoyment of himself, yet took a satisfaction in the work of his own hands. He did not rest, as one weary, but as one well-pleased with the instances of his own goodness and the manifestations of his own glory. II. The commencement of the kingdom of grace, in the sanctification of the sabbath day, Gen 2:3. He rested on that day, and took a complacency in his creatures, and then sanctified it, and appointed us, on that day, to rest and take a complacency in the Creator; and his rest is, in the fourth commandment, made a re…
Open source ↗2:1-3 Humankind is the high point of God’s creative acts (1:26-31), while day 7 is the climax of the creation week. When God rested, he endorsed all of creation—there was nothing more to do! This seven-day framework structured Israel’s week, with the seventh day as the precedent for their weekly Sabbath. The Sabbath was intended to celebrate God’s finished work; the seventh day would be set apart as holy and dedicated to the Creator, who also rested (see Exod 20:8-11; 31:12-17; cp. Matt 12:1-8; Rom 14:5-6; Col 2:16-17; Heb 4:1-11).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) כִּי (kîy, H3588) — (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often… שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… בָּרָא (bârâʼ, H1254) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗אֵלֶּה (ʼêl-leh, H428) — these or those תּוֹלְדָה (tôwlᵉdâh, H8435) — (plural only) descent, i.e. family; (figuratively) history שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בָּרָא (bârâʼ, H1254) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗שִׂיחַ (sîyach, H7880) — a shoot (as if uttered or put forth), i.e. (generally) shrubbery שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) טֶרֶם (ṭerem, H2962) — properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עֶשֶׂב (ʻeseb, H6212) — grass (or any tender shoot) צָמַח (tsâmach, H6779) — to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative) כִּי (kîy, H3588) — (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… לֹא (lôʼ, H3808) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles מָטַר (mâṭar, H4305) — to rain אַיִן (ʼayin, H369) — a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אֵד (ʼêd, H108) — a fog מִן (min, H4480) — properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud מִן (min, H4480) — properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) נָפַח (nâphach, H5301) — to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle,… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… נְשָׁמָה (nᵉshâmâh, H5397) — a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely)… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) קֶדֶם (qedem, H6924) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity);… עֵדֶן (ʻÊden, H5731) — Eden, the region of Adam's home שָׁם (shâm, H8033) — there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a…
Open source ↗מִן (min, H4480) — properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) צָמַח (tsâmach, H6779) — to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) חָמַד (châmad, H2530) — to delight in מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מַאֲכָל (maʼăkâl, H3978) — an eatable (includ. provender, flesh and fruit) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge
Open source ↗נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עֵדֶן (ʻÊden, H5731) — Eden, the region of Adam's home שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to גַּן (gan, H1588) — a garden (as fenced) פָּרַד (pârad, H6504) — to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first פִּישׁוֹן (Pîyshôwn, H6376) — Pishon, a river of Eden הוּא (hûwʼ, H1931) — he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self,… סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) חֲוִילָה (Chăvîylâh, H2341) — Chavilah, the name of two or three eastern regions; also perhaps of two men אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky הוּא (hûwʼ, H1931) — he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… בְּדֹלַח (bᵉdôlach, H916) — something in pieces, i.e. bdellium, a (fragrant) gum (perhaps amber); others a pearl שֹׁהַם (shôham, H7718) — a gem, probably the beryl (from its pale green color) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone
Open source ↗שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… גִּיחוֹן (Gîychôwn, H1521) — Gichon, a river of Paradise; also a valley (or pool) near Jerusalem סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh, H3568) — Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite
Open source ↗שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… חִדֶּקֶל (Chiddeqel, H2313) — the Chiddekel (or Tigris) river הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) קִדְמָה (qidmâh, H6926) — the forward part (or relatively) East (often adverbially, on the east or in front) אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth פְּרָת (Pᵉrâth, H6578) — Perath (i.e. Euphrates), a river of the East
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
This is what God the LORD says— He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:
And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.
the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He remains faithful forever.
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.