Spirit Nation

The Holy Bible - God's Word for All Generations

Home > Nehemiah > Chapter 11

Nehemiah Chapter 11

Other Translations

asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM

1 Howbeit thou art just in all that is come upon us; for thou hast dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
2 neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies wherewith thou didst testify against them.
3 For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
4 Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it.
5 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have power over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
6 And yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites,
7 and our priests, seal unto it.
8 Now those that sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
9 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
10 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah,
11 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
12 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
13 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
14 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
15 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these were the priests.
16 And the Levites: namely, Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
17 and their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
18 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah,
19 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
20 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu.
21 The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,
22 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
23 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
24 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,
25 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
26 Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai,
27 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
28 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
29 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
30 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,
31 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,
32 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
33 and Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,
34 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
35 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one that had knowledge, and understanding;
36 they clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of Jehovah our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes;

darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext

1 And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem; and the rest of the people cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts in the cities.
2 And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
3 And these are the chiefs of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants.
4 And in Jerusalem dwelt some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Pherez;
5 and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
6 All the children of Pherez that dwelt in Jerusalem were four hundred and sixty-eight valiant men.
7 And these are the children of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Isaiah;
8 and after him, Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight:
9 and Joel the son of Zicri was their overseer, and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah [the son of] Joiarib, Jachin,
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkijah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house ofGod.
12 And their brethren that did the work of the house, eight hundred and twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah;
13 and his brethren, chief fathers, two hundred and forty-two; and Amassai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer;
14 and their brethren, mighty men of valour, a hundred and twenty-eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel the son of Gedolim.
15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, [who were] over the outward work of the house ofGod;
17 and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, [who was] the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer; and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun:
18 all the Levites in the holy city were two hundred and eighty-four.
19 And the doorkeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred and seventy-two.
20 And the residue of Israel, the priests, [and] the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
21 And the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel; and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinim.
22 And the overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, for the work of the house ofGod.
23 For it was the king's commandment concerning them, and there was a settled portion for the singers, due for each day.
24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.
25 And as to the hamlets in their fields, [some] of the children of Judah dwelt in Kirjath-Arba and its dependent villages, and in Dibon and its dependent villages, and in Jekabzeel and its dependent villages,
26 and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and in Beth-phelet,
27 and in Hazar-Shual, and in Beer-sheba and its dependent villages,
28 and in Ziklag, and in Meconah and its dependent villages;
29 and in En-Rimmon, and in Zorah, and in Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their hamlets, in Lachish and its fields, in Azekah and its dependent villages: and they encamped from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
31 And the children of Benjamin from Geba [dwelt] in Michmash and Aija and Bethel, and their dependent villages,
32 in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36 And of the Levites there were divisions of Judah [dwelling] in Benjamin.

lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM

1 And the chiefs of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: and the rest of the people cast lots, to bring one of [every] ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the [other] cities.
2 And the people blessed all the men that volunteered to dwell in Jerusalem.
3 Now these [are] the chiefs of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the cities of Juda; [every] man dwelt in his possession in their cities: Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nathinim, and the children of the servants of Solomon.
4 And there dwelt in Jerusalem [some] of the children of Juda, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Juda; Athaia son of Azia, the son of Zacharia, the son of Samaria, the son of Saphatia, the son of Maleleel, and [some] of the sons of Phares;
5 and Maasia son of Baruch, son of Chalaza, son of Ozia, son of Adaia, son of Joarib, son of Zacharias, son of Seloni.
6 All the sons of Phares who dwelt in Jerusalem [were] four hundred and sixty-eight men of might.
7 And these [were] the children of Benjamin; Selo son of Mesulam, son of Joad, son of Phadaia, son of Coleia, son of Maasias, son of Ethiel, son of Jesia.
8 And after him Gebe, Seli, nine hundred and twenty-eight.
9 And Joel son of Zechri [was] overseer over them: and Juda son of Asana was second in the city.
10 Of the priests: both Jadia son of Joarib, and Jachin.
11 Saraia, son of Elchia, son of Mesulam, son of Sadduc, son of Marioth, son of Aetoth, was over the house of God.
12 And their brethren doing the work of the house were eight hundred and twenty-two: and Adaia son of Jeroam, son of Phalalia, son of Amasi, son of Zacharia, son of Phassur, son of Melchia,
13 and his brethren, chiefs of families, two hundred and forty-two: and Amasia son of Esdriel, son of Mesarimith, son of Emmer,
14 and his brethren, mighty men of war, a hundred and twenty-eight: and [their] overseer [was] Badiel son of [one of the] great men.
15 And of the Levites; Samaia, son of Esricam,
17 Matthanias son of Micha, and Jobeb son of Samui,
18 two hundred and eighty-four.
19 And the porters; Acub, Telamin, and their brethren, a hundred and seventy-two.
22 And the overseer of the Levites [was] the son of Bani, son of Ozi, son of Asabia, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph the singers [some were] over the house of God,
23 For so was the king's commandment concerning them.
24 And Phathaia son of Baseza was in attendance on the king in every matter for the people,
25 and with regard to villages in their country district: and [some] of the children of Juda dwelt in Cariatharboc,
26 and in Jesu,
27 and in Bersabee:
30 And their villages [were] Lachis and her hands: and they pitched their tents in Bersabee.
31 And the children of Benjamin [dwelt] from Gabaa [to] Machmas.
36 And of the Levites there were divisions to Juda [and] to Benjamin.

vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)

1 Habitaverunt autem principes populi in Ierusalem: reliqua vero plebs misit sortem, ut tollerent unam partem de decem qui habitaturi essent in Ierusalem civitate sancta, novem vero partes in civitatibus.
2 Benedixit autem populus omnibus viris qui se sponte obtulerant ut habitarent in Ierusalem.
3 Hi sunt itaque principes provinciæ qui habitaverunt in Ierusalem, et in civitatibus Iuda. Habitavit autem unusquisque in possessione sua, in urbibus suis, Israel, Sacerdotes, Levitæ, Nathinæi, et filii servorum Salomonis.
4 Et in Ierusalem habitaverunt de filiis Iuda, et de filiis Beniamin: de filiis Iuda, Athaias filius Aziam, filii Zachariæ, filii Amariæ, filii Saphatiæ, filii Malaleel: de filiis Phares,
5 Maasia filius Baruch, filius Cholhoza, filius Hazia, filius Adaia, filius Ioiarib, filius Zachariæ, filius Silonitis:
6 omnes hi filii Phares, qui habitaverunt in Ierusalem, quadringenti sexaginta octo viri fortes.
7 Hi sunt autem filii Beniamin: Sellum filius Mosollam, filius Ioed, filius Phadaia, filius Colaia, filius Masia, filius Etheel, filius Isaia,
8 et post eum Gebbai, Sellai, nongenti vigintiocto,
9 et Ioel filius Zechri præpositus eorum, et Iudas filius Senua super civitatem secundus.
10 Et de sacerdotibus, Idaia filius Ioarib, Iachin,
11 Saraia filius Helciæ, filius Mosollam, filius Sadoc, filius Meraioth, filius Achitob princeps domus Dei,
12 et fratres eorum facientes opera templi: octingenti viginti duo. Et Adaia filius Ieroham, filius Phelelia, filius Amsi, filius Zachariæ, filius Pheshur, filius Melchiæ,
13 et fratres eius principes patrum: ducenti quadragintaduo. Et Amassai filius Azreel, filius Ahazi, filius Mosollamoth, filius Emmer,
14 et fratres eorum potentes nimis: centum vigintiocto, et præpositus eorum Zabdiel filius potentium.
15 Et de Levitis Semeia filius Hasub, filius Azaricam, filius Hasabia, filius Boni,
16 et Sabathai et Iozabed, super omnia opera, quæ erant forinsecus in domo Dei, a principibus Levitarum.
17 Et Mathania filius Micha, filius Zebedei, filius Asaph princeps ad laudandum, et ad confitendum in oratione, et Becbecia secundus de fratribus eius, et Abda filius Samua, filius Galal, filius Idithun:
18 omnes Levitæ in civitate sancta ducenti octogintaquattuor.
19 Et ianitores, Accub, Telmon, et fratres eorum, qui custodiebant ostia: centum septuaginta duo.
20 Et reliqui ex Israel Sacerdotes et Levitæ in universis civitatibus Iuda, unusquisque in possessione sua.
21 Et Nathinæi, qui habitabant in Ophel, et Siaha, et Gaspha de Nathinæis.
22 Et episcopus Levitarum in Ierusalem, Azzi filius Bani, filius Hasabiæ, filius Mathaniæ, filius Michæ. De filiis Asaph, cantores in ministerio domus Dei.
23 Præceptum quippe regis super eos erat, et ordo in cantoribus per dies singulos,
24 et Phathahia filius Mesezebel, de filiis Zara filii Iuda in manu regis, iuxta omne verbum populi,
25 et in domibus per omnes regiones eorum. De filiis Iuda habitaverunt in Cariatharbe et in filiabus eius: et in Dibon, et in filiabus eius: et in Cabseel, et in viculis eius,
26 et in Iesue, et in Molada, et in Bethphaleth,
27 et in Hasersual, et in Bersabee, et in filiabus eius,
28 et in Siceleg, et in Mochona, et in filiabus eius,
29 et in Remmon, et in Saraa, et in Ierimuth,
30 Zanoa, Odollam, et in villis earum, Lachis et regionibus eius, et Azeca, et filiabus eius. Et manserunt in Bersabee usque ad vallem Ennom.
31 Filii autem Beniamin, a Geba, Mechmas, et Hai, et Bethel et filiabus eius:
32 Anathoth, Nob, Anania,
33 Asor, Rama, Gethaim,
34 Hadid, Seboim, et Neballat, Lod
35 et Ono valle artificum.
36 Et de Levitis portiones Iudæ et Beniamin.

web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV

1 The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.
2 The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
3 Now these are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah, everyone lived in his possession in their cities—Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
4 Some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez;
5 and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.
6 All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.
7 These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah.
8 After him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight.
9 Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house,
12 and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,
13 and his brothers, chiefs of fathers’ households, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14 and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
15 Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;
17 and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.
19 Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two.
20 The residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.
21 But the temple servants lived in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.
22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers responsible for the service of God’s house.
23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
24 Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
25 As for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its towns, in Dibon and its towns, in Jekabzeel and its villages,
26 in Jeshua, in Moladah, Beth Pelet,
27 in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its towns,
28 in Ziklag, in Meconah and in its towns,
29 in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom.
31 The children of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Bethel and its towns,
32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36 Of the Levites, certain divisions in Judah settled in Benjamin’s territory.

ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8

1 And the heads of the people dwell in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people have caused to fall lots to bring in one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the cities,
2 and the people give a blessing to all the men who are offering themselves willingly to dwell in Jerusalem.
3 And these <FI>are<Fi> heads of the province who have dwelt in Jerusalem, and in cities of Judah, they have dwelt each in his possession in their cities; Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the sons of the servants of Solomon.
4 And in Jerusalem have dwelt of the sons of Judah, and of the sons of Benjamin. Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalaleel, of the sons of Perez;
5 and Masseiah son of Baruch, son of Col-Hozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of Zechariah, son of Shiloni;
6 all the sons of Perez who are dwelling in Jerusalem <FI>are<Fi> four hundred sixty and eight, men of valour.
7 And these <FI>are<Fi> sons of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jesaiah;
8 and after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
9 And Joel son of Zichri <FI>is<Fi> inspector over them, and Judah son of Senuah <FI>is<Fi> over the city--second.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jachin,
11 Seraiah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, leader of the house of God,
12 and their brethren doing the work of the house <FI>are<Fi> eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchiah,
13 and his brethren, heads of fathers, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai son of Azareel, son of Ahazai, son of Meshillemoth, son of Immer,
14 and their brethren, mighty of valour, a hundred twenty and eight; and an inspector over them <FI>is<Fi> Zabdiel, son of <FI>one of<Fi> the great men.
15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hashub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni,
16 and Shabbethai, and Jozabad, <FI>are<Fi> over the outward work of the house of God, of the heads of the Levites,
17 and Mattaniah son of Micha, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, <FI>is<Fi> head--at the commencement he giveth thanks in prayer; and Bakbukiah <FI>is<Fi> second among his brethren, and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
18 All the Levites, in the holy city, <FI>are<Fi> two hundred eighty and four.
19 And the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, those watching at the gates, <FI>are<Fi> a hundred seventy and two.
20 And the rest of Israel, of the priests, of the Levites, <FI>are<Fi> in all cities of Judah, each in his inheritance;
21 and the Nethinim are dwelling in Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa <FI>are<Fi> over the Nethinim.
22 And the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem <FI>is<Fi> Uzzi son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micha: of the sons of Asaph, the singers <FI>are<Fi> over-against the work of the house of God,
23 for the command of the king <FI>is<Fi> upon them, and support <FI>is<Fi> for the singers, a matter of a day in its day.
24 And Pethahiah son of Meshezabeel, of the sons of Zerah, son of Judah, <FI>is<Fi> by the hand of the king, for every matter of the people.
25 And at the villages with their fields, of the sons of Judah there have dwelt, in Kirjath-Arba and its small towns, and in Dibon and its small towns, and in Jekabzeel and its villages,
26 and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and in Beth-Phelet,
27 and in Hazar-Shaul, and in Beer-Sheba and its small towns,
28 and in Ziklag, and in Mekonah and in its small towns,
29 and En-Rimmon, and in Zareah, and in Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its small towns; and they encamp from Beer-Sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
31 And sons of Benjamin <FI>are<Fi> at Geba, Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-El, and its small towns,
32 Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of the artificers.
36 And of the Levites, the courses of Judah <FI>are<Fi> for Benjamin.

Explanations by Age Level

Explain Like I'm 5

A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!

Explain Like I'm 10

Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.

Explain Like I'm 15

Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).