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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 308 min read

What Do the Days of Genesis Really Teach About Creation?

The Meaning of “Day” in the Genesis Account


The Genesis account begins with the profound statement: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This simple but far-reaching declaration sets the stage for the creation narrative that unfolds across the six “days” of creation, as described in Genesis 1:3-31. However, many have misunderstood the meaning of these creative "days," with some interpreting them as literal 24-hour periods. This interpretation has been especially common among certain creationist groups. However, a deeper understanding of Scripture, along with a proper use of the Historical-Grammatical method of interpretation, reveals that the biblical term “day” (Hebrew: yôm) has a broader application than just a literal 24-hour period.


Throughout the Bible, “day” is used to describe various lengths of time. For example, Genesis 2:4 refers to the entire process of creation as “the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven.” Clearly, in this context, “day” encompasses the entire creative process, not just a 24-hour period. Moreover, Psalm 90:4 provides additional insight: “For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” This poetic statement underscores the relativity of time from God’s perspective, making it clear that the "days" of creation in Genesis are likely long, undefined periods.



The Indefinite Time of “In the Beginning”


Before the six creative "days" described in Genesis 1, the Bible opens with the phrase “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). This verse refers to an unspecified point in time when Jehovah created the universe. There is no mention of the exact date or time duration of this creation, only that it was "in the beginning." This acknowledgment of an indefinite past harmonizes well with scientific evidence, which suggests that the universe is approximately 14 billion years old. This understanding does not conflict with the biblical text, which does not impose a young-earth timeframe but allows for the possibility of a universe much older than six thousand years.


The initial state of the earth, described as "formless and void" with "darkness upon the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2), indicates a pre-existing condition that was then shaped during the six subsequent creative “days.” When these creative “days” began, the raw materials of the universe already existed, and the focus of the narrative shifts to the specific work Jehovah performed on the earth to prepare it for human habitation.



The Nature of the First Day: Light Penetrates the Darkness


On the first creative day, God commands, "Let there be light," and light begins to penetrate the darkness that enveloped the earth (Genesis 1:3). This light was not the direct light of the sun, which was not made visible from the earth’s surface until the fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19). Instead, it was likely a diffused light source that gradually became visible through the thick atmosphere surrounding the early earth.


At this point, the Hebrew word used for "light" is ’ōr, which refers to light in a general sense. It was not until the fourth day that the luminaries, such as the sun and moon, became discernible. The first day, therefore, represents the beginning of the process in which light—previously obscured by the earth’s thick cloud cover—started to break through, allowing for the cycle of day and night, as the earth rotated on its axis (Genesis 1:4-5).



The Second Day: Separation of the Waters


The second creative day involves the separation of the waters: "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water" (Genesis 1:6). This "expanse" is called "Heaven" (Genesis 1:8), which refers not to the outer universe but to the sky or atmosphere surrounding the earth. During this period, the atmosphere was formed, separating the waters on the surface of the earth from the waters that were suspended above it, likely in the form of thick cloud layers.


This separation prepared the earth for further development, creating a stable environment in which life could eventually thrive. The distinction between the waters above and the waters below also laid the groundwork for the hydrological systems that would sustain life, including rain and rivers.



The Third Day: Appearance of Dry Land and Vegetation


On the third day, God commands that the waters be gathered together so that dry land may appear (Genesis 1:9). This event was accompanied by the formation of continents and oceans, providing the geographical foundation for the ecosystems that would support life. The emergence of dry land was crucial for the development of vegetation, which is described next: "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit" (Genesis 1:11).


It is important to note that the creation of vegetation on the third day occurred before the sun and moon became visible on the fourth day. This detail shows that the process of creation was sequential and purposeful, with each step laying the groundwork for the next. The reference to plants and trees producing "according to their kinds" (Genesis 1:12) emphasizes the organized and purposeful nature of creation, which is in stark contrast to the randomness of evolutionary theory.



The Fourth Day: Luminaries Become Visible


On the fourth creative day, God “made the two great luminaries, the greater luminary to govern the day, and the lesser luminary to govern the night; and the stars” (Genesis 1:16). As noted earlier, the Hebrew word ’ōr (general light) is replaced by ma’ōr (source of light) on this day. This distinction highlights the difference between the initial diffusion of light and the later visibility of the sun, moon, and stars from the earth’s surface.


The sun and moon were not created on the fourth day, as they had already existed from the initial act of creation described in Genesis 1:1. Instead, the text explains that these celestial bodies became discernible from the earth, as the atmosphere cleared enough to allow them to be visible. Their roles as "signs" for seasons, days, and years (Genesis 1:14) further emphasize the orderliness of God's creation, providing a means for timekeeping and regulating life on earth.



The Fifth Day: Creation of Aquatic and Avian Life


The fifth day marks the creation of aquatic life and birds: "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens" (Genesis 1:20). The creatures created on this day are described as "living souls" (nephesh chayyah), indicating that these are more than mere biological organisms—they are beings with life, capable of movement and reproduction. The "great sea creatures" (tanninim) mentioned in Genesis 1:21 may refer to large marine animals, such as whales, which were part of this creative work.


Each creature was created according to its "kind," meaning that while variations within a "kind" could occur, no new "kind" of life would evolve from another. This concept aligns with the biblical view that God created distinct categories of life that reproduce according to their inherent design, a principle still observable in the natural world today.



The Sixth Day: Creation of Land Animals and Humanity


On the sixth day, God created land animals: "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth" (Genesis 1:24). Once again, the emphasis is on the orderly reproduction of life according to "kinds," with each type of animal reproducing within its designated category.


The climax of creation came when God made humanity in His image: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Genesis 1:26). This statement reveals the unique status of humanity within creation. While animals were created according to their "kinds," humans were created in the image of God, reflecting His attributes of reason, morality, and the capacity for relationships. The parallel account in Genesis 2:7 provides further detail, describing how Jehovah formed Adam from the dust of the ground and "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul."


The creation of Eve from one of Adam’s ribs (Genesis 2:21-22) underscores the complementary nature of male and female within God’s design. Together, Adam and Eve were given the mandate to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28), establishing humanity’s role as stewards of creation.



The Seventh Day: God’s Rest


After completing His work of creation, God "rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done" (Genesis 2:2). This rest did not imply that God was tired, for Isaiah 40:28 reminds us, "Jehovah is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary." Instead, God’s rest signifies the completion of His creative activity and the establishment of a pattern of rest for humanity, later reflected in the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:8-11).


Interestingly, the seventh day is not described with the same phrase, "there was evening and there was morning," used for the previous six days. This omission suggests that the seventh day is ongoing and that God’s rest from creation continues to this day. Hebrews 4:1-11 confirms this, indicating that the opportunity to enter God’s rest remains open for those who trust in His promises.



The Length of the Creative Days


One of the most common misunderstandings of the Genesis account is the assumption that the creative "days" must be literal 24-hour periods. However, as we have seen, the word "day" (yôm) in Hebrew can refer to a much longer period of time. Genesis 2:4, which refers to the entire creation process as a single "day," confirms that these "days" were not 24-hour periods but extended epochs.


Additionally, 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us, "With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." This further supports the idea that the creative "days" were long periods during which God gradually shaped the earth and filled it with life. The evidence from geology and other scientific disciplines, which suggests that the earth is billions of years old, aligns with this understanding of the Genesis account.



God’s Sovereign Purpose in Creation


The Genesis creation account presents a purposeful, orderly process in which Jehovah gradually prepared the earth for human habitation. Each step of creation builds upon the previous one, culminating in the creation of humanity, made in God's image. This orderly progression reveals God's sovereignty over creation and His ultimate plan for the earth.


Throughout the narrative, the repeated phrase "And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31) emphasizes the perfection and harmony of God's work. The creation account is not a myth or allegory, but a historical record of how Jehovah brought the universe and life into existence. It stands in stark contrast to the myths of ancient cultures, which often portrayed creation as the result of chaos or violence.


By studying the Genesis account, we gain insight into the nature of Jehovah as the Creator, the purpose of humanity, and the destiny of the earth. The account also underscores the reliability of the Bible as a source of truth, offering practical wisdom for living in harmony with God's design.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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