16 God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Other Translations of Genesis 1:16

King James Version

16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, to rule the day...: Heb. for the rule of the day, etc. and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

English Standard Version

16 And God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars.

The Message

16 God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of Day, The smaller to be in charge of Night; and he made the stars.

New King James Version

16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.

New Living Translation

16 God made two great lights-the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 1:16

Commentary on Genesis 1:14-19

(Read Genesis 1:14-19)

In the fourth day's work, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is accounted for. All these are the works of God. The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes, without telling their number, nature, place, size, or motions; for the Scriptures were written, not to gratify curiosity, or make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints. The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully, and shine in their season without fail. We are set as lights in this world to serve God; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation? We do not: our light does not shine before God, as his lights shine before us. We burn our Master's candles, but do not mind our Master's work.

17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth,

Other Translations of Genesis 1:17

King James Version

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

English Standard Version

17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,

The Message

17 God placed them in the heavenly sky to light up Earth

New King James Version

17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth,

New Living Translation

17 God set these lights in the sky to light the earth,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 1:17

Commentary on Genesis 1:14-19

(Read Genesis 1:14-19)

In the fourth day's work, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is accounted for. All these are the works of God. The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes, without telling their number, nature, place, size, or motions; for the Scriptures were written, not to gratify curiosity, or make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints. The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully, and shine in their season without fail. We are set as lights in this world to serve God; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation? We do not: our light does not shine before God, as his lights shine before us. We burn our Master's candles, but do not mind our Master's work.

18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

Other Translations of Genesis 1:18

King James Version

18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

English Standard Version

18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

The Message

18 And oversee Day and Night, to separate light and dark. God saw that it was good.

New King James Version

18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

New Living Translation

18 to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 1:18

Commentary on Genesis 1:14-19

(Read Genesis 1:14-19)

In the fourth day's work, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is accounted for. All these are the works of God. The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes, without telling their number, nature, place, size, or motions; for the Scriptures were written, not to gratify curiosity, or make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints. The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully, and shine in their season without fail. We are set as lights in this world to serve God; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation? We do not: our light does not shine before God, as his lights shine before us. We burn our Master's candles, but do not mind our Master's work.