In the Beginning: A Closer Look at Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The very first verse of the Bible. I’m so familiar with it sometimes that familiarity dulls the wonder. So, I paused and meditated. Here are some of my revelations!

God created the heavens and the earth

This verse established the Creator from the start. A simple statement. God know that people are going to dispute that He created the heavens and the earth. He simply declared.

He created the heavens. Plural.

In the Strong’s Lexicon, “heavens” shamayim (שָׁמַיִם) 8064, is a word rich with layers.

“In ancient Hebrew cosmology, “shamayim” was understood as a multi-layered expanse. The first heaven was the atmosphere where birds fly, the second heaven was the realm of the stars and celestial bodies, and the third heaven was considered the dwelling place of God. This understanding reflectsthe ancient Near Eastern view of the universe, where the heavens were seen as a dome over the earth. The concept of “shamayim” as God’s dwelling place emphasizes His transcendence and sovereignty over creation.”

In short, there are 3 layers of heavens:

1. The first: the sky where birds fly
2. The second: the realm of universe, galaxies, and celestial bodies
3. The third: the dwelling place of God

This layered view paints the heavens as a vast dome over the earth.

The first layer is the sky that we can see, hear, feel and experience. The realm where we enjoy sunrise and sunset, rain, wind, snow, the rainbow and more. The second layer is the universe and the galaxies. Space. This layer is immense. Scientists have been exploring space, and it is huge and still expanding. The third layer is God’s dwelling place. It is beyond Space.

He created the earth. Singular.

There is only one earth. The vast dome of heavens is over the earth. This places the earth in the middle of creation. It is not the third rock from the sun. Not from God’s perspective.

God Elohim is plural

Not only is heavens plural, according to Strong’s Lexicon, “God”, elohiym (אֱלהִים) 430, is also plural.

“The Hebrew Bible uniquely uses Elohim to affirm the monotheistic belief in one God who is supreme over all. The plural form may reflect the fullness of God’s nature and His attributes. The use of Elohim in the Hebrew Scriptures underscores the distinctiveness of Israel’s faith in one God who is both transcendent and immanent.”

The plural form does not mean there are more than one God. The plural form affirms monotheism: one supreme God. The plural form attests to the fullness of His nature, His attributes, His mystery. I know Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity. I don’t fully understand how three can be one. But then again, I only use a fraction of my brain. I trust that all will be revealed in time.

Eth (אֵ֥ת) = Aleph and Tav = Jesus

Eth (אֵ֥ת) appears twice in the Hebrew text of Genesis 1:1. One is translated as “and” in “the heavens and the earth“. The other is not translated. It is the fourth word of this seven-word verse. Hebrew scholars say it is an object marker. But here’s the beautiful twist: “eth” is made up of Aleph and Tav — the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

In Revelations 22:13, Jesus said,

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

WEB

If He spoke in Hebrew or Aramaic to John, it would have been: “I am the Aleph and the Tav“. That is eth (אֵ֥ת).

If “eth” is Jesus, then He is in Genesis 1:1.

This brings new meaning to John 1:1:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. 

John claimed that Jesus as the Word was with God in the beginning. Personally, I believe that John is referring to Eth (אֵ֥ת). Jesus, the Aleph and the Tav, is present at the beginning. Being the fourth word, it is also in the middle of Genesis 1:1.

I find this study fascinating. It reveals the intricate precise mind of God.