The Hebrew word “tohu” is translated as “formless” but does not necessarily refer to something that is immaterial or absolutely without shape.
Actually, a thorough study of the word "tohu" as rendered in the other occurrences in Scripture reveal a completely different idea.
For example, in Isa 45:18
New Living Translation
For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in,
not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the LORD,” he says, “and there is no other.
New American Standard Bible NASB 1995, NASB 1977
For this is what the LORD says,
He who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it
and did not create it as a waste place,
but formed it to be inhabited): “I am the LORD, and there is no one else.
Amplified Bible
For the LORD, who created the heavens (He is God, who formed the earth and made it; He established it and
did not create it to be a wasteland, but formed it to be inhabited) says this, “I am the LORD, and there is no one else.
Christian Standard Bible
For this is what the LORD says — the Creator of the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, the one who established it (
he did not create it to be a wasteland, but formed it to be inhabited) — he says, “I am the LORD, and there is no other.
American Standard Version
For thus saith Jehovah that created the heavens, the God that formed the earth and made it, that established it and
created it not a waste, that formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah; and there is none else.
English Revised Version
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; he is God; that formed the earth and made it; he established it,
he created it not a waste, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Good News Translation
The LORD created the heavens--he is the one who is God! He formed and made the earth--he made it firm and lasting.
He did not make it a desolate waste, but a place for people to live. It is he who says, "I am the LORD, and there is no other god.
International Standard Version
For this is what the LORD says, who created the heavens— he is God, and the one who formed the earth and made it, and he is the one who established it;
he didn't create it for chaos, but formed it to be inhabited— "I am the LORD and there is no other.
JPS Tanakh 1917
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens, He is God; That formed the earth and made it, He established it,
He created it not a waste, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is none else.
NET Bible
For this is what the LORD says, the one who created the sky--he is the true God, the one who formed the earth and made it; he established it,
he did not create it without order, he formed it to be inhabited--"I am the LORD, I have no peer.
New Heart English Bible
For thus says the LORD who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and
did not create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.
World English Bible
For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and
didn't create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other.
Now, here is the issue. If one accepts the traditional rendering of Gen 1:2 a conflict and contradiction is created.
Gen 1:2 says God created the earth tohu.
Yet, Isa 45:18 says God did not create the earth tohu.
So, regardless of what translation is used, it is the SAME WORD in both passages. And a contradiction between the verses.
Or consider Jer 4:23
American Standard Version
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was
waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I looked in the earth, and behold,
chaos and emptiness, and to the Heavens, and their light is not there
English Revised Version
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was
waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
Good News Translation
I looked at the earth--it was a
barren waste; at the sky--there was no light.
JPS Tanakh 1917
I beheld the earth, And, lo, it was
waste and void; And the heavens, and they had no light.
NET Bible
"I looked at the land and saw that it was an
empty wasteland. I looked up at the sky, and its light had vanished.
New Heart English Bible
I saw the earth, and, look, it was
waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
World English Bible
I saw the earth, and, behold, it was
waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
Young's Literal Translation
I looked to the land, and lo,
waste and void, And unto the heavens, and their light is not.
It can simply mean “empty” or “without structure”. I would not press the meaning so far that it must refer to something without any shape at all.
The website biblehub.com shows 10 occurrences of "tohu".
Gen 1:2 - was formless
Isa 45:18 - it a waste place,
Isa 45:19 - Me in a waste place
1 Sam 12:21 - for they [are] vain.
Job 26:7 - empty space
Isa 24:10 - of chaos
Isa 34:11 - of desolation
Isa 44:9 - of them futile,
Isa 59:4 - in confusion
Jer 4:23 - waste/wasteland