Gen 1:2-3 | TNotes | STEP | 1:2 This verse gives the background for the summary in 1:1 and the detailed description in 1:3–2:3 . God’s creative utterances bring order to the chaotic state of the universe. • formless ... empty (Hebrew tohu ... bohu ): This terse idiom means something like “wild and waste.” It sets a stark contrast to the final ordered state of the heavens and the earth (1:1 ). • deep waters (Hebrew tehom ): Some scholars say this alludes to the Mesopotamian goddess Tiamat (representing chaos), but Genesis views tehom as inhospitable chaos, not as a deity or goddess that God engaged in cosmic battle. • the Spirit of God: God directly superintended the creation process.

a1:2►

b1:1►

c1:3–2:3►

d1:1►

e1:3-13►

f1:3►

g1►

hPs 33:6►

i9►

jNeh 9:6►

‏ Genesis 1:2-3

1:2 ^a This verse gives the background for the summary in 1:1 ^b and the detailed description in 1:3–2:3 ^c. God’s creative utterances bring order to the chaotic state of the universe.

• formless ... empty (Hebrew tohu ... bohu): This terse idiom means something like “wild and waste.” It sets a stark contrast to the final ordered state of the heavens and the earth (1:1 ^d).

• deep waters (Hebrew tehom): Some scholars say this alludes to the Mesopotamian goddess Tiamat (representing chaos), but Genesis views tehom as inhospitable chaos, not as a deity or goddess that God engaged in cosmic battle.

• the Spirit of God: God directly superintended the creation process.
Summary for Gen 1:3-13: 1:3-13 ^e In the first three days, God formed the chaos into a habitable world. 1:3 ^f Then God said: Nothing in ch 1 ^g is created apart from God’s powerful word (cp. Ps 33:6 ^h, 9 ⁱ).

• “Let there be ...” and there was: God’s command enacted his will to create the world. God is not a part of creation or limited by it; he is the supreme ruler over everything (cp. Neh 9:6 ^j).