WHAT IT MEANS
The Beginning with God
Scripture begins with God as Creator, placing everything else—matter, time, life, and human purpose—under His authorship.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
CONTEXT
What is happening here?
Genesis opens the Bible’s creation account and establishes the Creator-creature relationship that shapes the rest of Scripture.
APPLY IT
For today
Let creation remind you that your life is received from God and ultimately belongs to Him.
Read it in 5 translations
KJV King James Version
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
BSB Berean Standard Bible
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
WEB World English Bible
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
ASV American Standard Version
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
In the beginning of God’s preparing the heavens and the earth—
Surrounding context — Genesis 1
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
Cross-references
John 1:1-3In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Hebrews 11:3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.Isaiah 45:18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.Revelation 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.Hebrews 1:10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:Colossians 1:16-17For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:Isaiah 42:5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:Exodus 20:11For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.Job 38:4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.Acts 17:24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;2 Peter 3:5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:Nehemiah 9:6Thou, [even] thou, [art] LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all [things] that [are] therein, the seas, and all that [is] therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.Isaiah 44:24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;Jeremiah 32:17Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:Jeremiah 51:15He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.Psalm 33:9For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.Proverbs 3:19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.Revelation 14:7Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING
Spurgeon on Genesis 1:1
Read Charles H. Spurgeon material whose primary Scripture is this verse or passage.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
Compare classic commentaries on Genesis 1:1
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