Topic: God's clock | |
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God created the world in 6 days, how long was a day?
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Edited by
MorningSong
on
Sun 01/29/12 11:06 PM
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Double checked to make sure this lined up with
Scriptures, before sharing . ![]() ..........Question: "Does Genesis chapter 1 mean literal 24-hour days?"............ Answer: A careful examination of the Hebrew word for “day” and the context in which it appears in Genesis will lead to the conclusion that “day” means a literal, 24-hour period of time. The Hebrew word yom translated into the English “day” can mean more than one thing. It can refer to the 24-hour period of time that it takes for the earth to rotate on its axis (e.g., “there are 24 hours in a day”). It can refer to the period of daylight between dawn and dusk (e.g., “it gets pretty hot during the day but it cools down a bit at night”). And it can refer to an unspecified period of time (e.g., “back in my grandfather's day...”). It is used to refer to a 24-hour period in Genesis 7:11. It is used to refer to the period of daylight between dawn and dusk in Genesis 1:16. And it is used to refer to an unspecified period of time in Genesis 2:4. So, what does it mean in Genesis 1:5-2:2 when it's used in conjunction with ordinal numbers (i.e., the first day, the second day, the third day, the fourth day, the fifth day, the sixth day, and the seventh day)? Are these 24-hour periods or something else? Could yom as it is used here mean an unspecified period of time? We can determine how yom should be interpreted in Genesis 1:5-2:2 simply by examining the context in which we find the word and then comparing its context with how we see its usage elsewhere in Scripture. By doing this we let Scripture interpret itself. The Hebrew word yom is used 2301 times in the Old Testament. Outside of Genesis 1, yom plus a number (used 410 times) always indicates an ordinary day, i.e., a 24-hour period. The words “evening” and “morning” together (38 times) always indicate an ordinary day. Yom + “evening” or “morning” (23 times) always indicates an ordinary day. Yom + “night” (52 times) always indicates an ordinary day. The context in which the word yom is used in Genesis 1:5-2:2, describing each day as “the evening and the morning,” makes it quite clear that the author of Genesis meant 24-hour periods. The references to “evening” and “morning” make no sense unless they refer to a literal 24-hour day. This was the standard interpretation of the days of Genesis 1:5-2:2 until the 1800s when a paradigm shift occurred within the scientific community, and the earth's sedimentary strata layers were reinterpreted. Whereas previously the rock layers were interpreted as evidence of Noah's flood, the flood was thrown out by the scientific community and the rock layers were reinterpreted as evidence for an excessively old earth. Some well-meaning but terribly mistaken Christians then sought to reconcile this new anti-flood, anti-biblical interpretation with the Genesis account by reinterpreting yom to mean vast, unspecified periods of time. The truth is that many of the old-earth interpretations are known to rely upon faulty assumptions. But we must not allow faulty assumptions to influence how we read the Bible. According to Exodus 20:9-11, God used six literal days to create the world in order to serve as a model for man's workweek: work six days, rest one. Certainly God could have created everything in an instant if He wanted to. But apparently He had us in mind even before He made us (on the sixth day) and wanted to provide an example for us to follow. gotquestions.org ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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God created the world in 6 days, how long was a day? 1000yrs. ![]() |
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I dont know
Im most unclear about how long the first 'day' was,, and after that I suspect a day was however long it took between sunrise to sunrise but how long the period of time was between when there was nothing and God decided to create light,,,is much less certain,,, |
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thanks for the very informative answer, but i must disagree. Dont get me wrong, im not trying to stray anyones faith, i just believe God left us some mysteries that we are not suppose to know the answer to. Its what makes our faith stronger. Many text are taken from its original transcript that reinforce each other. Its hard to find any writings that contredict themselves using the same terms for time, if any. Science has shown that the earth is much older than the bible shows if we use 24 hours as a day for creation. I grew up in the church and started to question everything when things like this didnt match up. I finally came to the conclusion; for me, that we are only meant to try and think like God, not understand all he does. The big bang theory isnt satans work:it could be true. But where did the first atom come from that split and started it all? God. We have such a fear of finding flaw in the bible, that we miss the point. Abraham; im sure, didnt understand why he had to sacrifice his son. He almost did and would have because of his faith in God knowing that all that came from him was good. Just because we have such a need to prove things right because others may say they are wrong doesnt change what i believe God gave us the bible for, to be as much like him as we can and when we cant explain or dont understand his plan to continue with blind faith which we get from the stories we read in the bible. Love, compassion, and do unto others. Its easy to find the imperfections in something and cast it aside, but when you can find what may not be perfect in our minds and see past it to find the beauty that is really there: i think thats what God wants us to find :in the bible, each other, and the blessing of life he has given us. Sorry if i offended, just my opinion. Is the bible wrong; no, just somethings require faith.
P.S Just got your mail on my phone, im touched you would take the time to give such a great answer. God bless you even more than he already has |
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Edited by
MorningSong
on
Mon 01/30/12 01:34 AM
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You are welcome.
God Bless You too ,Stepper. God Bless You All.... ps...Understanding and Believing in The Basic Fundamental Truths is what is MOST Important... understanding these basic fundamental truths is essential ,in order for Salvation to even take place. IF we don't hear and know and understsnd even the Basic Fundamental Truths of God's Word,how can Faith Come to Believe? This is why Undersanding and Believing in the Basic Fundamental Truths are so Essental and Important, because on hearing the Truth of God's Word is how Faith comes to Believe. The rest of the Understanding of God's Word comes afterwards...after we are Saved. Afterwards,as we continue as Believers now to grow in God's Word, The Word now becomes our daily bread....and The Holy Spirit will Illuminate The Truth of God's Word to us all, as we continue to learn and Grow in the Word. Amen. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Edited by
MorningSong
on
Mon 01/30/12 02:30 AM
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Is the bible wrong; no, just somethings require faith.
And also requires a continual STUDY of God's Word. We ALL begin with milk, then pablum,and then we eventually are able to eat the MEAT of God's Word. But even so ,we could study the Word for a lifetime , and STILL barely be able to scratch the surface ..... That's how deep and rich God's Word is. God IS the Word. And For Believers, The Word becomes our Daily bread . And the more we dine on God's Word, the more we hunger and thirst for God's Word. Amazing Word. Amazing God. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Edited by
MorningSong
on
Mon 01/30/12 03:21 AM
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............."What happened on each of the days of Creation?".............
The creation account is found in Genesis 1–2. The language of the Genesis account makes it clear that all of creation was formed from nothing in six literal 24-hour periods with no time periods occurring between the days. This is evident because the context requires a literal 24-hour period. The description specifically describes the event in a manner that a normal, common-sense reading understands as a literal day: “And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day” (Genesis 1:5). Further, each sentence in the original language begins with the word “and.” This is good Hebrew grammar and indicates each sentence is built upon the preceding statement, clearly indicating that the days were concurrent and not separated by any period of time. The Genesis account reveals that the Word of God is authoritative and powerful. Most of God’s creative work is done by speaking, another indication of the power and authority of His Word. Let us look at each day of God’s creative work: Creation Day 1 (Genesis 1:1-5) God created the heavens and the earth. “The heavens” refers to everything beyond the earth, outer space. The earth is made but not formed in any specific way, although water is present. God then speaks light into existence. He then separates the light from the dark and names the light “day” and the dark “night.” This creative work occurs from evening until morning – one day. Creation Day 2 (Genesis 1:6-8) God creates the sky. The sky forms a barrier between water upon the surface and the moisture in the air. At this point earth would have an atmosphere. This creative work occurs in one day. Creation Day 3 (Genesis 1:9-13) God creates dry land. Continents and islands are above the water. The large bodies of water are named “seas” and the ground is named “land.” God declares that all this is good. God creates all plant life both large and small. He creates this life to be self-sustaining; plants have the ability to reproduce. The plants were created in great diversity (many “kinds”). The earth was green and teeming with plant life. God declares that this work is also good. This creative work takes one day. Creation Day 4 (Genesis 1:14-19) God creates all the stars and heavenly bodies. The movement of these will help man track time. Two great heavenly bodies are made in relation to the earth. The first is the sun which is the primary source of light and the moon which reflects the light of the sun. The movement of these bodies will distinguish day from night. This work is also declared to be good by God. This creative work takes one day. Creation Day 5 (Genesis 1:20-23) God creates all life that lives in the water. Any life of any kind that lives in the water is made at this point. God also makes all the birds. The language allows that this may be the time God made flying insects as well (or, if not, they were made on day six). All of these creatures are made with the ability to perpetuate their species by reproduction. The creatures made on Day 5 are the first creatures blessed by God. God declares this work good, and it occurs in one day. Creation Day 6 (Genesis 1:24-31) God creates all the creatures that live on dry land. This includes every type of creature not included on previous days and man. God declares this work good. God then takes counsel with Himself, “God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness’” (Genesis 1:26). This is not an explicit revelation of the trinity but is part of the foundation for such, as God reveals an “us” within the Godhead. God makes man, and man is made in the image of God (men and women both bear this image) and is special above all other creatures. To emphasize this, God places man in authority over the earth and over all the other creatures. God blesses man and commands him to reproduce, fill the earth and subdue it (bring it under the rightful stewardship of man as authorized by God). God announces that man and all other creatures are to eat plants alone. God will not rescind this dietary restriction until Genesis 9:3-4. God’s creative work is complete at the end of the sixth day. The entire universe in all its beauty and perfection was fully formed in six literal, concurrent, 24-hour days. At the completion of His creation, God announces that it is very good. Creation Day 7 (Genesis 2:1-3) God rests. This in no way indicates He was weary from His creative efforts, but denotes that the creation is complete. Further, God is establishing a pattern of one day in seven to rest. The keeping of this day will eventually be a distinguishing trait of the God’s chosen people (Exodus 20:8-11). gotquestions.org ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Edited by
CeriseRose
on
Mon 01/30/12 10:54 AM
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" i just believe God left us some mysteries that we are not suppose to know the answer to. ......... Just because we have such a need to prove things right because others may say they are wrong doesnt change what i believe God gave us the bible for, to be as much like him as we can and when we cant explain or dont understand his plan to continue with blind faith which we get from the stories we read in the bible. Love, compassion, and do unto others. Its easy to find the imperfections in something and cast it aside, but when you can find what may not be perfect in our minds and see past it to find the beauty that is really there: i think thats what God wants us to find : in the bible, each other, and the blessing of life he has given us. Sorry if i offended, just my opinion. Is the bible wrong; no, just somethings require faith. ((( Well said here ))). + + + Most of us are familiar with the verse in Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. God is omniscient/All-knowing, Omnipotent/All-powerful, and Omnipresent/Ever-present. We are in no position to give our Creator an ultimatum. What fools we are to say, “I won’t believe Him until all mysteries are revealed to me. We would be placing our own soul as ransom and our children. How foolish. How puffed up. Jesus said... "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 Trusting His WORD without doubtful interrogations. Besides, if we knew all things we'd find ourselves enemies with God. Not all, but many scientists and philosophers are in competition with God. Searching feverishly for the hidden things; the secrets. "Ever learning and never coming to the knowlege of the truth". There are things that are hidden that we may never know; have no need to know. Thank you, Stepper42 |
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