And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it says God "made the expanse," the verse emphasizes that He separated the waters. This highlights that the key act wasn't just bringing something into being, but bringing order by creating distinct realms for the waters.
And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.
English Standard Version (ESV)
On the second day of creation, God's initial command was to separate the chaotic waters that covered the earth. This verse describes God carrying out that command, creating an "expanse" (often translated as "firmament" or "sky") to divide the waters, separating those that would become the seas and rivers on earth from those that would reside above in the atmosphere, like clouds. This act of separation and ordering sets the stage for the further development of the planet.
When God made the 'firmament,' it wasn't just about creating the sky as we know it. This act also involved a crucial separation.
The Hebrew word translated as 'firmament' (raqia) literally means 'an expanse' or 'to beat out.' It refers to the vast space created on the second day of creation.
A Crucial Separation
God's purpose for this 'expanse' was to divide the waters.
This separation brought order to the primordial, formless state where waters were seemingly everywhere. It established distinct realms and prevented a chaotic, undifferentiated watery world.
The verse concludes with a simple, profound statement: 'And it was so.' What does this brief phrase reveal about God's creative power?
The phrase 'And it was so' is a recurring motif in Genesis 1, signifying the immediate and perfect obedience of creation to God's spoken word.
The Power of Divine Fiat
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This isn't just a historical account; it's a declaration of God's ongoing power to bring order and purpose through His word.
Understand the original words
asah · Hebrew Verb
To fashion, produce, or create; while sometimes used interchangeably with 'bara' (create), it often emphasizes the process of forming something from existing material.
takhath · Hebrew Preposition
A preposition denoting a position beneath or lower than another object or authority.
al · Hebrew Preposition
A preposition or adverb indicating a position higher than or over another object.
This Psalm calls on the 'highest waters' to praise God, directly referencing the 'waters above the firmament' mentioned in Genesis 1:7, highlighting God's control over all elements.
Job 38:8-11God's powerful questioning of Job about who shut up the sea with doors and set its boundaries reveals His sovereign authority over the waters, echoing the separation described in Genesis 1:7.
Proverbs 8:27-29This passage describes wisdom (often seen as a pre-incarnate Christ) as being present with God when He set the heavens in place and established the boundaries of the seas, connecting to the foundational act of creation in Genesis 1.
2 Peter 3:5Peter reminds readers that the heavens and earth existed 'by the word of God' and were 'formed out of water and through water,' directly alluding to the creation account and God's ordering of the watery realms.
gillGenesis 1:7: "And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so."
And God made the firmament,.... By a word speaking, commanding it into being, producing it out of the chaos, and spreading it in that vast space between the heaven of heavens and our earth (z), And divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; the lower part of it, the atmosphere above,…
calvinGenesis 1:1-31: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
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.
Terra autem erat informis et inanis; tenebraeque erant in superficie voraginis, et Spiritus Dei agitabat se in superficie aquarum.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Et dixit Deus, Sit lux. Et fuit lux.
And God saw the light, that it was good:…
While it says God "made the expanse," the verse emphasizes that He separated the waters. This highlights that the key act wasn't just bringing something into being, but bringing order by creating distinct realms for the waters.
On the second day of creation, God's initial command was to separate the chaotic waters that covered the earth. This verse describes God carrying out that command, creating an "expanse" (often translated as "firmament" or "sky") to divide the waters, separating those that would become the seas and rivers on earth from those that would reside above in the atmosphere, like clouds. This act of separation and ordering sets the stage for the further development of the planet.
On the second day of creation, God's initial command was to separate the chaotic waters that covered the earth. This verse describes God carrying out that command, creating an "expanse" (often translated as "firmament" or "sky") to divide the waters, separating those that would become the seas and rivers on earth from those that would reside above in the atmosphere, like clouds. This act of separation and ordering sets the stage for the further development of the planet.
"And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so." — While it says God "made the expanse," the verse emphasizes that He separated the waters. This highlights that the key act wasn't just bringing something into being, but bringing order by creating d…
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Last reviewed October 2026