A Gerah 0 0 1.3687 0 02.5 (continued)
THE
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY COMMENTARY.
THE FIRST BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED
GENESIS.
CHAPTER L
ing out as a plate of metal : a name given to the atmosphere from its appearing to an observer to be the vaxM of heaven, supporting the weight of the watei-y clouds. By the creation of an atmosphere, the lighter parts of the waters which overspread the earth's surface were drawn up and suspended in the visible heavens, while the larger and heavier mass remained below. The air was thus " in the midst of the waters," i.e., separated them; and this being the apparent use of it, is tlie only one mentioned, although the atmosphere serves other uses, as a medium of life and light.
Ver. 1, 2. The Ckeation of Heaveu and Earth. 1. In tlie beginning—a period ol remote and unknown antiquity, Iiid In the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used In Proverbs 8. 22, 23, also Marginal Reference. God—the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in HebretL\ " Strong," " Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power ; and by its use here in the plural form , is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, viz., that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Spirit, who were engaged in the creative work (Proverbs 8. 27; John 1.3, 10; Ephesians 3. 9; Hebrews 1. 2; Job 26. 13). created—not formed from any pre-existing ma-
9-13. Third Day. 9. let tlie waters under the heaven be gathered together into one place—The world was to be rendered a terraqueous globe, and this was effected by a volcanic convulsion on its surface, the upheaving of some parts, the sinking of others, and the formation of vast hollows, into which the waters impetuously rushed, as is graphically described. (Psalm 1(M. 6-9.) [Hitchcock.] Thua large part of the earth was left "dry land," and thus were formed oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers which, though each having their own beds, or channels, ai-e all connected with the sea Vjob 38. 10; Ecclesiastes 1.7). 11. let the earth bring forth—The bare soil was clothed with verdure, and it is noticeable that the trees, plants, and grasses-^he three great divisions of the vegetable kingdom, here mentioned, were not called into existence in the same way as the light and the air; tliey were made to grow, and they grew as they do still out of the ground-J not, however, by the slow process of vegetation, but through the Divine power, without rain, dew, or any process of labour—sprouting up and flourishing in a single day.
terials, but made outxif nothing, tlic heaven and the earth—the universe, ferhis first verse is a general introduction to the inspired volume, declaring the great and Important truth, that all things had a beginning; tliat nothing throughout the wide extent of nature existed from eternity, originated by chance, or from the skill of any inferior agent ; but that the whole universe was produced by the creative power of God (Acts 17. 24; Romans 11. 36)_ After this preface, the narrative is confined to the earth./ 8. the earth was without form and void—or in "confusion and emptiness" as the words are rendered in Isaiah H. 11. This globe, at some undescribed period, having been convulsed and broken up, was a dark and watery waste for ages perhaps, till out of this chaotic state, the present fabric of the world was made to arise, the Spirit of God moved lit.., continued brooding over it, as a fowl does, when hatching eggs. The immediate agency of the Spirit, by working on the dead and discordant elements, combined, arranged, and ripened them into a state adapted for being the scene of a new creation. The account of this new creation properly begins at the end of this second verse ; and the details of the process are described in the natural way an onlooker would have done, wlio beheld the changes that successively took place. ^
14-19. Fourth Day. 14. let there be llght« in tho' Armament—The atmosphere being completely purified the Bun, moon, and stars were for tlte first time unveiledi in all their glory in the cloudless sky; and they are described as "in the firmament" which to the eye they appear to be, though we know they are really at vast distances from it. 16. two great lights—In consequence of the day being reckoned as commencing at even—tJie moouj which would be seen first in the horizon, would, appear "a great light," compared with the little twinkling star*;, while its pale benign radiance would be eclipsed by the dazzling splendour of the sun; when his resplendent oi-b rose In the morning and gradually attained its meridian blaze of glory, it would appear "the greater light" that ruled the day.« Both these lights may be said to be " made"
8-5. The First Day. 3. God sald-yThls phrase, which occurs so repeatedly in the account means—willed, decreed, appointed; and the determining will of God was followed in every Instance by an immediate I'esult.^ Whether the sun was created at the same time with, or long before, the earth, the dense accumulation of fogs and vapours which enveloped the chaos, had covered the globe with a settled gloom. But by the command of God, light was rendered visible; the thick murky clouds were dispersed, broken, or rarefied, and light diffused over the expanse of waters. The effect Is described In the name Day, which In Hebrew signifies warmth, heat; while the name Night signifies a rolling up, as night wraps all things in a shady mantle, (i. divided tlie ligltt from darlcnew—refers to the alte Vnation or succession of the one to the other, produced by the dally revolution of the earth round tisazis.) 5. flrst day—a natural day, as the mention of Its two parta clearly determines; and Moses reckons, according to Oriental usage, from sunset to sunon the fourth day—not created, Indeed, for it is a different word that is here used, but constituted, appointed to the Important and necessary office of serving as luminaries to the world, and regulating by their motions and their Influence the progress and divisions of time.\
20-23. Fifth Day. 'ine sighs of animal Mfe appeared in the waters and In tnealr. 20. moving creature—all' oviparous animals, both among the finny and the feathery tribes—remarkable for their rapid and prodigious increase, ''fowl—means every flying thing: "irhe word 4 rendered whales," Includes also sharks, crocodiles, Ac.j.so that from the countless shoals of small fisli to the great sea monsters, from the tiny Insect to the king of birds, the waters and the air were made suddenly to swarm with
•et, saying not day and night as we do, but evening and morning.
ft-8. Second Day. tf. flrmaraent—an expanse—a beat2