Gen 1:16 | TNotes | STEP | 1:16 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 ; Jer 31:35 ). 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 , 28 ; Ps 136:9 . • the stars: The starry heavens testify to God’s creative power as they proclaim his glory (Pss 19:1 ; 148:3 ). They do not predict the future, as Israel’s neighbors believed (see Jer 10:2 ).

a1:16►

bPs 136:7-9►

cJer 31:35►

d1:26►

e28►

fPs 136:9►

gPss 19:1►

h148:3►

iJer 10:2►

‏ Genesis 1:16

1:16 ^a 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 ^b; Jer 31:35 ^c). 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 ^d, 28 ^e; Ps 136:9 ^f.

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