Gen 1:14-17 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 1:14-31: 1:14-31 On days 4–6, God filled the domains that had been formed during days 1–3 (1:3-13 ). 1:14 Let them ... mark the seasons, days, and years: The movement of the heavenly bodies defined Israel’s liturgical calendar, whose roots in creation gave a sacred timing to Israel’s festivals and celebrations (see Exod 23:15 ; Lev 23:4 ).

a1:14-31►

b1:3-13►

c1:14►

dExod 23:15►

eLev 23:4►

f1:16►

gPs 136:7-9►

hJer 31:35►

i1:26►

j28►

kPs 136:9►

lPss 19:1►

m148:3►

nJer 10:2►

‏ Genesis 1:14-17

Summary for Gen 1:14-31: 1:14-31 ^a On days 4–6, God filled the domains that had been formed during days 1–3 (1:3-13 ^b). 1:14 ^c Let them ... mark the seasons, days, and years: The movement of the heavenly bodies defined Israel’s liturgical calendar, whose roots in creation gave a sacred timing to Israel’s festivals and celebrations (see Exod 23:15 ^d; Lev 23:4 ^e).
1:16 ^f In the surrounding pagan cultures, the two great lights were worshiped as deities, but in Genesis they serve God and humanity (see Ps 136:7-9 ^g; Jer 31:35 ^h). The sun and moon are not named; they are simply called the larger one and the smaller one. Not including their names may have reminded Israel that they were not gods.

• govern: Cp. 1:26 ⁱ, 28 ^j; Ps 136:9 ^k.

• the stars: The starry heavens testify to God’s creative power as they proclaim his glory (Pss 19:1 ^l; 148:3 ^m). They do not predict the future, as Israel’s neighbors believed (see Jer 10:2 ⁿ).