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what were common ancient near eastern cosmological views that genesis might be responding to?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was waste and void; and darkness was on the surface of the deep. God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.

This is the opening of the book of Genesis, setting the stage for the creation narrative. It was written for an ancient Israelite audience, likely during or after their experience of exile, offering an account of the world's origins and their relationship to God.

How does this ancient description of creation shape our understanding of the world's beginnings today?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • Psalm 104:5-9

    Describes God setting boundaries for the waters of chaos, echoing creation themes.

  • Job 38:4-11

    God questions Job about the foundations of the earth, drawing on creation imagery.

  • John 1:1-3

    Echoes Genesis 1:1 by speaking of Jesus's role in creation 'in the beginning'.

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