Point of View

A key to the proper interpretation of Genesis 1 is the Point of View. We explore that concept here.

The Point of View (POV) has different connotations, such as literary or scientific. Whether from a literary or scientific viewpoint, it is important to take the POV into account in order to have a good understanding of a narrative. This would certainly be true for a narrative of the creation.

From a literary perspective the POV of Genesis 1 is usually considered to be third person omniscient (Pop culture examples of literary POVs).

The POV in scientific terms is usually called the "frame of reference". The frame of reference can be described from a popular perspective or a more technical perspective. The scientific frame of reference for the creation days or periods of time in Genesis could be derived from Genesis 1:2. In that verse, the plausible frame of reference would appear to be set as the Spirit of God hovering over the earth. Note that nowhere in the verses describing creation that follow Genesis 1:2 is there any indication that this frame of reference changes until arguably sometime in Genesis 2.

The Genesis 1:2 verse that shows this point of view of the Spirit hovering over the waters of the earth is given in some various translations below.


Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (NIV)

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (ESV)

the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors. (TLB)
with the note: the earth was, or “the earth became.” a shapeless, chaotic mass, or “shapeless and void.” over the dark vapors, or “over the cloud of darkness,” or “over the darkness and waters,” or “over the dark gaseous mass.” There is not one correct way to translate these words.

And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (ASV)

The earth was barren,
with no form of life;
it was under a roaring ocean
covered with darkness.
But the Spirit of God
was moving over the water. (CEV)


And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (KJV)

Or see multiple translations of Genesis 1:2 on one page.




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