Light – Darkness, Day – Night: How Translation Shapes Our Understanding of Genesis

When we read Genesis, it’s easy to forget that we’re looking at an English translation, far removed from the original Hebrew. This can impact how we understand key concepts, particularly in the creation story. Translation choices shape the way we read and interpret Scripture, sometimes adding nuances or shifting the meaning altogether.

Take, for example, Genesis 1:5. The familiar King James Version (KJV) renders it this way:

“And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”

Compare this with other translations:

• Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB):
  “God called the light ‘day,’ and He called the darkness ‘night.’ Evening came and then morning: the first day.”
• Names of God (NOG):
  “Elohim named the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He named ‘night.’ There was evening, then morning—the first day.”
• The Living Bible (TLB):
  “And God was pleased with it and divided the light from the darkness. He called the light “daytime,” and the darkness “nighttime.” Together they formed the first day.”
• VOICE
  “God named the light “day” and the darkness “night.” Evening gave way to morning. That was day one.”

Notice the subtle but impactful differences in wording. The KJV implies a completed day cycle—light and dark, “the evening and the morning.” By contrast, translations like the HCSB, NOG, TLB and the VOICE place emphasis on the sequence: work first, then evening, then morning, which together constitute “the first day.” These variations hint that the work itself, followed by evening and morning, completes a day, subtly shifting our perception of how time was structured in the creation account.

Understanding Genesis Through the Lens of Translation

These differences aren’t trivial. They shape how we conceptualize the creation process itself. In the original Hebrew, the words erev (evening) and boqer (morning) simply mark transitions within each creative act. Erev doesn’t necessarily mean “night,” nor does boqer strictly mean “day.” They are boundary points: erev is when light fades, and boqer is when light begins to re-emerge. This is not a rigid day-and-night cycle as we experience it but rather a symbolic sequence where each day’s work culminates in evening and morning—a cycle of creation, rest, and renewal.

By adding certain phrases or translating these terms as “day” and “night,” English versions can unintentionally reinforce a 24-hour day concept that isn’t as clearly present in the original Hebrew. Many modern translations are now more careful to reflect this nuance, showing that the “day” in Genesis is not necessarily a strict division of hours, but a series of divine actions followed by transitions.

Work, Then Evening, Then Morning

The recurring pattern in Genesis is worth noting. In several translations, it’s clear that each day of creation begins with divine activity—God’s work. This is followed by evening, a period where the work ceases, and then morning, the point where light returns. Only after this sequence does the day conclude. This order is significant because it reflects a different structure than our modern understanding of a 24-hour day. It’s not just a sequence of morning to night, but a rhythm of creation, rest, and new beginning.

What Was the First Thing Created?

This raises another essential question: what truly came first—light or darkness? Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” By describing Elohim as the Creator, it implies that His presence, as Light, existed before all else. If you read 1 John 1:5, we are told that “Elohim is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all.” This points to light, not darkness, as the primary reality, showing us that Elohim’s light precedes creation.

Genesis 1:2 describes a “formless and void” earth, with darkness covering the deep. However, this darkness is not an entity in itself; it’s a condition awaiting divine intervention. It’s only when Elohim speaks light into existence—“Let there be light”—that creation truly begins. Elohim’s light transforms darkness, marking the start of His creative work and setting the pattern for each day’s structure. It was through the light that the creator worked.

A Sequence of Light (Work), Evening then Morning

If we understand light as Elohim’s presence and creative power, each “day” in Genesis can be seen as beginning with this divine light. God’s creative work is carried out in the light, followed by an evening transition as activity pauses, and a morning renewal as light returns. This sequence—work, evening, and morning—completes the cycle, allowing each “day” to close and a new one to begin.

The order is not incidental. It emphasizes that Elohim’s work is done in the light, aligning with the statement made by Yahshua in John 9:4: “We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” God’s work is associated with light, and His pauses with evening and morning signify completion and renewal rather than simply marking time.

The Impact of Translation Choices on Understanding Creation

Translations like the ones above, provide a window into the Hebrew perspective, which sees the “day” as a period of creative work followed by evening and morning transitions. In contrast, the KJV and similar versions seem to imply a more static day/night division, which can be misleading when read without the nuances of the original text. By recognizing these distinctions, we see that Genesis isn’t necessarily describing a rigid 24-hour cycle but rather a divine rhythm of action, rest, and renewal.

Implications for Our Own Spiritual Journey

This deeper understanding of the creation account invites us to reconsider our concept of time, work, and rest. In the Hebrew mindset, a day is not just a measure of hours but a period of purpose and meaning—a sequence where divine action is followed by pause and renewal. This insight encourages us to live within the same rhythm, aligning our lives with God’s pattern of light, work, rest, and renewal.

So, as you reflect on the creation story, ask yourself: How does this understanding of “day” change my perception of time and purpose? How might it shape the way I view my work, rest, and renewal? By aligning with the Genesis rhythm, we can embrace a more purposeful and divine approach to our own lives, finding our light, purpose, and rest in the eternal rhythm established by Elohim.