Gen 1:2 | 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.

c1:3–2:3►

‏ Genesis 1:2

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.