Genesis 1:3
Genesis 1:3 is the third verse of the first chapter in the Book of Genesis. In it, God (the Hebrew word used for God, like in all of Genesis 1, is Elohim) made light by declaration ("God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light"). It is a part of the Torah portion known as Bereshit (Genesis 1:1-6:8).
"Let there be light" (like "in the beginning" in Genesis 1:1) has entered into common usage as a phrase. It is the motto (sometimes in its Latin form, fiat lux) for many educational institutions (using light as a metaphor for knowledge). The University of California is one example.[1] The phrase also forms the chorus of John Marriott's hymn about Creation, "Thou, Whose Almighty Word."[2]
Text
Vayomer Elohim yehi-or vayehi-or.
| Translation | Text |
|---|---|
| American Standard Version | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
| Bible in Basic English | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
| Darby Bible | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
| God's Word Translation | "Then God said, "Let there be light!" So there was light." |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible | "Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." |
| Jewish Publication Society (3rd ed.) | "God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. |
| King James Version | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
| The Message | "God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared." |
| New International Version | "And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." |
| New King James Version | "Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light." |
| Webster's Revision | "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." |
| World English Bible | "God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." |
| Young's Literal Translation | "and God saith, 'Let light be;' and light is." |
See also
References
- ^ University of California website, accessed 25 August 2012.
- ^ Morgan, Robert J., Near to the Heart of God: Meditations on 366 Best-Loved Hymns, Revell, 2010, ISBN 0800733959, p. 141.