Genesis 1:6-8: Let There Be an Expanse

Read: Genesis 1:6-8

The world as we know it is defined by separation—light from darkness, land from sea, sky from earth. From the earliest moments of creation, God imposed order on the chaotic deep, and among His first acts was the division of waters, establishing a firmament that shaped the heavens and the earth. Similar to creating light, the creation account has an entire day of God devoted to creating the “raqia” in Hebrew, which is translated as “expanse” or “firmament”. This is a rare word in Hebrew. The idea of God separating the water puts a chasm of space between waters such that there are waters above and waters below. “Raqia” refers to the visible sky that represents the space between the surface of the lower waters and land to the bottom of the upper waters. This expanse God calls “heaven” or “shamayim,” a more common word to refer to what God created, but it can refer to this and what is beyond the visible, which is the abode of God. Many ANE cultures, including the Hebrews, envisioned the sky as a dome or vault that separated the waters above (heavenly waters) from the earth. This dome was thought to hold back the waters above and had windows or gates that allowed rain to pass through. The most notable reference to the “windows of heaven” in the Bible is found in the story of Noah's Flood in Genesis 7:11-12. Here, the opening of the windows results in the deluge that covers the earth. When the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters, He was above the heavenly water, so the separated expanse is below God and the heavenly waters.

Other creation myths have divisions of water. Enuma Elish begins with the mingling of fresh waters, Apsu (representing male), and salt waters, Tiamat (representing female), symbolizing a chaotic, undifferentiated existence. The god Marduk, after defeating Tiamat, splits her body into two parts, with one part forming the heavens and the other the earth, thus separating the waters and creating the cosmos. In one of the Egyptian creation myths, particularly the Heliopolitan tradition, the god Atum (or Ra) emerges from the primordial waters of chaos, known as Nun. This emergence signifies the beginning of order from chaos. In some versions, Atum creates Shu (god of air) and Tefnut (goddess of moisture), who then separate the sky (Nut) from the earth (Geb), effectively dividing the waters and creating space for creation.

The act of God separating waters mirrors the theme of order and organization in the Genesis creation story. Unlike some Ancient Near East myths where creation emerges out of primordial chaos often through conflict or sexual union of gods, in Genesis, God methodically establishes order by separating elements. God is the sole creator who speaks elements into existence, contrasting with polytheistic narratives of the time that often involve multiple gods in creation, sometimes in conflictual relationships. It also carries with it a connotation of deliverance. The dark, formless void of the primordial ocean, “tehom,” was antithetical to God. By creating light and then dividing the waters, He is inserting His order into the world and pushing back that which is antithetical to God.

Two other incidents show God dividing waters. First, in Exodus 14:21-22, Moses parts the Red Sea. This is one of the most iconic examples of God controlling and dividing a large body of water. Second, in Joshua 3:14-17, during the crossing of the Jordan River, God stopped the flow of the Jordan River so the Israelites could cross. The psalmists celebrate these acts of deliverance as a defeat of the enemies of Israel and enemies of God. Psalm 74:13-14 refers to God’s mighty acts in the past, particularly His power over the sea and sea monsters, often symbolizing chaos and evil. The reference to splitting the sea likely alludes to the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus or the splitting of the sea in creation. The psalm is a plea for God to remember His people and act on their behalf. The mention of God's past victories over chaotic forces like the sea and sea monsters serves as a reminder of His ability to bring salvation and order out of the current chaos and destruction. Psalm 77:16-19 also celebrates God for splitting waters. Psalm 77 is typically classified as a Psalm of lament or a cry for help, often used in times of distress. The Psalm starts with the psalmist crying out to God in a time of trouble, seeking relief and comfort. In this context, Psalm 77:16-19 plays a crucial role as it shifts from expressing deep anguish and doubt to recalling God's mighty deeds in the past, particularly His acts of deliverance.

In the New Testament, Jesus does not divide the sea, but he does calm a storm (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25). As established in John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16, Jesus was present at creation, dividing the water. One can rest assured that if Jesus can split the waters of creation, a sea, and a river, He is surely in control of the world. Finding hope amid natural disasters might seem hard, but it does not imply that God is out of control. God is a god of order. He is in control. Christians can rest in that fact.

Lord, you are the God of order, just as you divided the waters and established the heavens, Bring order to the chaos in my life and help me trust in your sovereign control.