Genesis 1 Background Information with Maps and Images (Picture Study Bible - Genesis) Free Bible Online

Brief Summary: God creates the heavens and the earth in six days, and the earth was filled with life and it was all very good.

Detailed Summary: God who is full of wisdom, power and love creates the heavens and the earth from nothing. He spoke the Word and it happened. He created everything perfect and it was very good. He created the universe as a backdrop and an influence for man's home, planet Earth. He created the Earth filled with life, but his highest creation is man who He created in His own image, not a pet, not a slave, but in His own exact likeness. He made man, the crown of His creation, perfect and capable of fellowship with Himself and gave to him dominion over all the works of His hands, to love, enjoy and be king over His creation and the Garden of Eden.

Who is Mentioned: God, Adam, and Eve.
Key Concept: God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26)
Key Verses:
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Important Related Verses:
John 1 reveals that Jesus, the Eternal Word was present in creation.
Colossians 1 reveals that all things were created by Jesus and for Jesus.
Hebrews 1:3 says He upholds all things by the Word of His power.

Interesting Notes:
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were active in creation
The upper waters were storehouses of water for the flood of Noah
God gave man dominion (kingly authority) over the works of His hands
God created man in his likeness (Heb. "damoot" exact duplication in kind)
God said "Let us make man in our image", implying the trinity.
God created man both male and female

Genesis 1 Key Points

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The First Day. Light.
The Bible reveals that God made light. He spoke His Word, and light came into existence, and then He separated the light from the darkness. He called the light day and the darkness He called night.

The Second Day. Heaven.
God separated the upper waters from the lower waters by a firmament which He called heaven.

The Third Day. Land and Vegetation
On the third day God created dry land in the midst of the lower waters, He called the dry land "Earth" and he called the gathering of the waters "Seas" or oceans. He separated the oceans from the dry land. He also created every plant and tree according to its own kind, and each bearing its own seed.

The Fourth Day. The Sun, Moon, and Stars
God created the sun, moon, and the stars on the fourth day. He placed them in the firmament (heavens) to provide light for the earth, and to provide seasons for each year. The two great lights, the sun and the moon, would provide light for every day and every night. The greater light, the sun, would provide light for the day, and the lesser light, the moon, would provide light in the night. He created the stars to govern and rule the earth, and to give it light. 

The Fifth Day. Fish and Birds.
God created fish and all creatures that live in the seas and lakes. He also made the birds which fly above the earth.

The Sixth Day. Man and Animals.
God created man and all animals, giving man all dominion and commanded them to be fruitful and fill the whole earth.

Next God rests from all his works.

Genesis 1 Questions

What did God create in the beginning?
In how many days did God create all things?
What did He create on the first day?
What did He create on the second, third, etc.?
Whom did God create last of all?
In whose image was man created?
What did God do on the seventh day?

Genesis 1 Answers

What does Genesis give an account of? Of the creation. Genesis 1:1.
Who created the heavens and the earth ? God. Genesis 1:1.
When did God create the heavens and the earth? In the beginning. Genesis 1:1.
What is here meant by the beginning? When God began to create. Genesis 1:1.
From what did God create all things? From nothing. Genesis 1:2.
How long was God in creating all things? Six days. Ex. 20:11.
What did God create on the first day? Light. Genesis 1:3.
What did God say when he created light? Let there be light. Genesis 1:3.
What was created the second day? Heaven or the firmament. Genesis 1:6.
What was created the third day? Land and vegetation. Genesis 1:11.
What was created the fourth day? The sun, moon, and stars. Genesis 1:14-18.
What was created the fifth Day? Fishes and birds of the air. Genesis 1:20-22.
What was created the sixth? Animals, reptiles, and man. Genesis 1:24-27.

Genesis Resources

Creation
Adam and Eve
The Flood
The Tower of Babel
Abraham the First Hebrew
Isaac, Son of Promise
Jacob and the 12 Tribes
Joseph and Egypt