THE CREATION AND THE RENEWAL IN GENESIS 1
Bible students have understood Genesis 1 as teaching not only Yahweh’s original creation, but also a re-creation (or restoration) following Satan’s rebellion. Let’s carefully walk through the scriptures that show this.
3 formats of the study are presented here. Make sure you read the second study!
1. Yahweh created the earth “perfect” in the beginning
- Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning Yahweh created the heaven and the earth.”
This is a simple, complete statement of Yahweh’s original creation. Other scriptures show that what Yahweh creates is good, orderly, and not chaotic. - Deuteronomy 32:4 – “His work is perfect.”
- Isaiah 45:18 – “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; Yahweh himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain [tohu], he formed it to be inhabited.”
Yahweh did not originally create the earth “tohu” (waste, desolate). It was created beautiful, perfect, and habitable.
2. Something happened between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2
- Genesis 1:2 (KJV) – “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”
The Hebrew allows the translation: “the earth became without form and void (tohu and bohu).”
This suggests a change of state — the earth was not created this way but became desolate.
- Jeremiah 4:23–26 uses the exact same Hebrew words tohu va-bohu describing the result of Yahweh’s judgment:
“I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light… all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.”
Jeremiah here is not describing the original creation, but a destruction. This helps us understand Genesis 1:2 as a condition of ruin, not creation.
3. Cause of the destruction: Satan’s rebellion
- Isaiah 14:12–15 – Lucifer (the shining one) fell through pride, sought to exalt himself, and was cast down.
- Ezekiel 28:12–17 – The “anointed cherub” was perfect until iniquity was found in him. Because of sin, he was cast out and brought low.
- Luke 10:18 – Yeshua: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
Here we see that Satan’s rebellion brought judgment upon the earth, leaving it in chaos and darkness.
4. The 6 days of Genesis are a Re-creation / Restoration
- Genesis 1:3–31 – Yahweh brings back light, order, and life step by step. Each day restores what had been ruined.
- Day 1: Light restored.
- Day 2: Atmosphere/firmament set in order.
- Day 3: Dry land and vegetation reappear.
- Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars set for signs, seasons, days, and years.
- Day 5: Sea creatures and birds.
- Day 6: Land animals and finally mankind.
At the end, “Yahweh saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31).
This shows not the first creation of matter, but a renewal and ordering of the earth for man.
- Psalm 104:30 – “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.”
5. Summary
- Genesis 1:1 – Original perfect creation.
- Genesis 1:2 – The earth became waste and void (because of Satan’s rebellion).
- Genesis 1:3–31 – Yahweh restored (re-created) the earth, preparing it for mankind.
Thus, the Bible supports the view that Genesis describes both creation and re-creation: Yahweh’s original creation was marred by rebellion, and the 6 days of Genesis were His restorative work to prepare the earth for humanity.
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Here is a verse-by-verse outline of Genesis 1 showing the difference between the original creation and the re-creation (restoration), with Hebrew notes where needed.
Creation & Re-Creation in Genesis 1
Genesis 1:1 – Original Creation
- “In the beginning Yahweh created the heaven and the earth.”
- Hebrew: bara = create (to bring into existence something new).
- Statement of Yahweh’s original act of creation.
- Other verses:
- Isaiah 45:18 – He created it to be inhabited, not “tohu.”
- Deuteronomy 32:4 – His work is perfect.
Genesis 1:2 – The Earth Becomes Ruined
- “And the earth was [became] without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”
- Hebrew:
- hayah = “became” (not just “was”).
- tohu va-bohu = waste and emptiness, chaos, desolation.
- Darkness covered the earth, not the light of Yahweh.
- Cross references:
- Jeremiah 4:23–26 – identical words tohu va-bohu describe judgment and destruction.
- Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17 – Satan’s rebellion and fall caused ruin.
Genesis 1:3–31 – Six Days of Restoration
Day 1 (vv. 3–5): Light Restored
- “Let there be light.”
- Yahweh separates light from darkness.
- Not the creation of the sun, but the return of illumination and order.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 – Yahweh shining light out of darkness as a parallel.
Day 2 (vv. 6–8): Atmosphere Restored
- Yahweh makes the firmament (expanse/sky), dividing waters above from waters below.
- Order established again.
Day 3 (vv. 9–13): Land and Vegetation Restored
- Waters gathered so dry land appears.
- Earth brings forth grass, herbs, trees.
- Re-populating vegetation after destruction.
Day 4 (vv. 14–19): Sun, Moon, and Stars Set in Order
- Lights appointed for signs, seasons, days, and years.
- Heavenly bodies already existed (Genesis 1:1); now their function and visibility restored.
Day 5 (vv. 20–23): Sea Creatures and Birds
- Life in waters and air restored/created anew.
- Yahweh blesses them to multiply.
Day 6 (vv. 24–31): Land Animals and Man
- Cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth.
- Man created in Yahweh’s image (bara again = new creation).
- Dominion over earth given to man.
- Yahweh declares it “very good.”
Genesis 2:1–3 – Completion
- The heavens and the earth are finished, restored, and set in order.
- Yahweh rests the 7th day, sanctifying it.
Key Takeaway
- Genesis 1:1 – Original perfect creation.
- Genesis 1:2 – The earth became ruined (through Satan’s rebellion).
- Genesis 1:3–31 – Six days of Yahweh’s re-creation/restoration, preparing the earth for mankind.
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Creation & Re-Creation in Genesis 1
Genesis 1:1 – Original Creation
“In the beginning Yahweh created the heaven and the earth.”
Hebrew: bara = create (to bring into existence something new).
Statement of Yahweh’s original act of creation.
Other verses:
- Isaiah 45:18 – He created it to be inhabited, not 'tohu.'
- Deuteronomy 32:4 – His work is perfect.
Genesis 1:2 – The Earth Becomes Ruined
“And the earth was [became] without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”
Hebrew:
- hayah = 'became' (not just 'was').
- tohu va-bohu = waste and emptiness, chaos, desolation.
Darkness covered the earth, not the light of Yahweh.
Cross references:
- Jeremiah 4:23–26 – identical words describe judgment and destruction.
- Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17 – Satan’s rebellion and fall caused ruin.
Genesis 1:3–31 – Six Days of Restoration
Day 1 (vv. 3–5): Light Restored
“Let there be light.”
Yahweh separates light from darkness.
Not the creation of the sun, but the return of illumination and order.
2 Corinthians 4:6 – Yahweh shining light out of darkness.
Day 2 (vv. 6–8): Atmosphere Restored
Yahweh makes the firmament (expanse/sky), dividing waters above from waters below.
Order established again.
Day 3 (vv. 9–13): Land and Vegetation Restored
Waters gathered so dry land appears.
Earth brings forth grass, herbs, trees.Re-populating vegetation after destruction.
Day 4 (vv. 14–19): Sun, Moon, and Stars Set in Order
Lights appointed for signs, seasons, days, and years.
Heavenly bodies already existed (Genesis 1:1); now their function and visibility restored.
Day 5 (vv. 20–23): Sea Creatures and Birds
Life in waters and air restored/created anew.
Yahweh blesses them to multiply.
Day 6 (vv. 24–31): Land Animals and Man
Cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth.
Man created in Yahweh’s image (bara again = new creation).
Dominion over earth given to man.
Yahweh declares it 'very good.'
Genesis 2:1–3 – Completion
The heavens and the earth are finished, restored, and set in order.
Yahweh rests the 7th day, sanctifying it.
Key Takeaway
Genesis 1:1 – Original perfect creation.
Genesis 1:2 – The earth became ruined (through Satan’s rebellion).
Genesis 1:3–31 – Six days of Yahweh’s re-creation/restoration, preparing the earth for mankind.
