The Spirit of God did What?!

The King James Version of the Bible translates Genesis 1:2b as, "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." If we begin with the word translated as waters and work our way backwards through this verse, we end up with a less worldly and more spiritual interpretation.

The word translated as waters is the ancient Hebrew word mayim. Now some of you gentlemen may be familiar with the practice of saying you have to "go make water" when you need to relieve your bladder. This may have been the motivation for the scholars translating a word that means urine, semen, piss, or waste water as waters. However, the term liquid waste or a fluid waste is actually more accurate.

Now let us look at the word translated as face. This word, the ancient Hebrew paniym, is not easily translated, and can have a wide variety of implied meanings and applications. Interestingly, it can mean form, regard and was purposed. In the context of this verse, it would not be out of line to translate this word as meaning what He purposed, or the form He purposed.

Finally we need to examine the word translated as moved. The ancient Hebrew word rachaph means brood or, by implication to be relaxed. For this context brood is probably the best interpretation.

So, what is the thought we should see presented by this verse? It could read like this: "And the Spirit of God brooded upon the form He purposed, a vast liquid waste."

When you consider the picture presented by science of a planet in a formless, molten state before the creation of the solid world we know, this translation makes sense. It also bridges the apparent gap between science and the Biblical story of Creation.

What I hope you will receive from this is a desire to have a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit, and a reliance on Him in discerning the true message of the Holy, inerrant Word of God. Rely on the spirit to guide you with an open mind to His teaching, and you will gain His wisdom. That is what the Bible says we should seek.

May the blessing of God the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.

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