The Gap and The Sumer Creation Myth

[FreeGrace2]

Any of this imaginary fantasy type thinking actualy found in the Bible?

Have you not read any of my posts? I have included how the key words in Gen 1:2 are translated elsewhere, whichs shows they were mistranslated in v.2. I have showed 2 NT Greek verses that SUPPORT a restoration of earth.

No Gap Theory is clearly even mentioned. There is no verse, I repeat, there is no verse that says, “And the first creation was destroyed, and God recreated the Heavens and the Earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh day.”

You have missed the whole point. There WASN'T a "recreation" of earth. There was a RESTORATION of earth. Do you understand the difference?

Heb 11:3 has been mistranslated:

By faith we understand that the universe was formed (or framed) at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

The Greek word for "formed/framed" is 'katartizo'. It means to repair, mend, adjust to fit. It was used of disciples mending their nets in Matt 4:21 and Mark 1:19.

Please look it up for yourself.

And Mark 10:6 doesn't support creation of earth and Adam at the same time, as Gen 1 suggests. The Greek word for "create" (ktizo) properly means "to reduce from a state of disorder and wildness". Again, that supports the fact that Adam was created AFTER God restored the earth.

So sin (followed by death) came into this world through Adam.

Keep in mind the Bible is written FOR humans. So the mention of sin refers to sin by humans. It does not include Satan's rebellion, which occurred way before Adam was created.

If sin entered the Earth prior, then Romans 5:12 would technically not be a 100% true statement.

Yes it would, because it is referring only to humans.

Sin would have entered the world through the rebellion of angels being upon the Earth.

And that is NOT relevant to humans. Why can't you understand this?

 

[FreeGrace2]

You don't even know me, yet you are already claiming my mind is closed to any of this.

You have proven this by your own comments. I'm only observing and paying attention to what you say.

For example, "One big deal might be this. That would mean there is a gap after all. I reject there being a gap anywhere in Genesis 1." From post #77.

Kinda reminds me of the phrase, "My mind is made up. Don't confuse me with the facts."

I've given facts and you have rejected them.

I have debated the alleged gap with others since at least the mid 90s.

You've done no such thing with me. All you've done is reject out of hand, with no discussion, or even addressing the facts that I've mentioned.

I have heard every argument that one can think of, at one time or another, and none of those arguments ever convinced me they were right, and that I was wrong to reject this alleged gap.

OK, nothing "convinced you". All that means is that your mind has already been made up and facts don't matter to you.

Why haven't you even tried to engage with my facts?

 

[BeyondET]

Now, that's deep!

I think it is , why not just hovering of the waters/deep.
Surfaces are mentioned seems more to it than waters and deep. What I have no idea.

 

[FreeGrace2]

I think it is , why not just hovering of the waters/deep.
Surfaces are mentioned seems more to it than waters and deep. What I have no idea.

You bring up a very interesting point. The Hebrew word for "hovering" actually means "to brood", like a bird sitting on eggs.

What's the purpose of that? So the eggs will hatch. And that takes some heat. So the mother bird warms up the eggs by brooding over them.

I believe the Holy Spirit actually warmed up the earth and ice pack so God could begin the restoration process.

The plural "waters" in the Hebrew indicates melting ice. "hovering over the waters".

It seems the Holy Spirit was incubating the earth, to remove the ice pack.

What happened to earth, and why God put the earth "on ice" is speculative. The fact is, the earth WAS packed in ice. And the ice did melt. Otherwise, none of us would be here.

 

[sawdust]

Any of this imaginary fantasy type thinking actualy found in the Bible?
No Gap Theory is clearly even mentioned. There is no verse, I repeat, there is no verse that says, “And the first creation was destroyed, and God recreated the Heavens and the Earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh day.”

There is only mention of only one creation and nothing about a re-creation in Genesis 1.

Also, Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

So sin (followed by death) came into this world through Adam. If sin entered the Earth prior, then Romans 5:12 would technically not be a 100% true statement. Sin would have entered the world through the rebellion of angels being upon the Earth.

There are many things in scripture that are not openly stated outright that is why we are told to "study the word" (2Tim.2:15). It helps to sort the wheat from the chaff among believers.

As it has been shown you in Genesis vs.1&2. "Tohu and bohu" is only used once more in scripture (Jer.4:23) and it is connected to judgement. Why should God tell us all of His dealings with the angelic rebellion prior to creating man? It has no bearing on us ergo to quote Rom.5:12 is irrelevant as that verse is about judgement on men not angels.

I recommend you do a word study of the Hebrew.

 

[RickReads]

A lot of assumption goes into reading the Gap Theory into that passage. This passage in Job just as equally can be read with a normal reading on Genesis 1, too. The problem is that there is no verse that clearly explains the Gap Theory. So it's just imaginary and not Scripture.



But the point is primarily about the daylight separating the nightime. There is a greater light to rule the day (the sun), and a lesser light to rule the night (the moon). Was there no separating of light from darkness in the creation prior?

There's a lot of assumption in explaining Genesis 1 period. Lots of missing information.

Genesis defines Light as daytime and darkness as nighttime. There is day and night as it pertains to this world and there is light and darkness that pertains to heaven. Unless you can discern that, you can`t understand Genesis chapter 1.

 

[BeyondET]

You bring up a very interesting point. The Hebrew word for "hovering" actually means "to brood", like a bird sitting on eggs.

What's the purpose of that? So the eggs will hatch. And that takes some heat. So the mother bird warms up the eggs by brooding over them.

I believe the Holy Spirit actually warmed up the earth and ice pack so God could begin the restoration process.

The plural "waters" in the Hebrew indicates melting ice. "hovering over the waters".

It seems the Holy Spirit was incubating the earth, to remove the ice pack.

What happened to earth, and why God put the earth "on ice" is speculative. The fact is, the earth WAS packed in ice. And the ice did melt. Otherwise, none of us would be here.

that's a interesting point of view, i had heard of the brooding before seems it is implying more than just hovering. Interesting the waters above are only mentioned once when it was divided by the expanse. surface in Hebrew has a few meanings can mean, a layer, area, territory, field, zone.

lil off topic but some form of tech had to be around and a large enough work force for Cain to had built a city, others making musical instruments all things bronze and iron. hows that happen being he was just the second man on earth. its like man was created then a technology boom happen from the get go.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

There's a lot of assumption in explaining Genesis 1 period. Lots of missing information.

Genesis defines Light as daytime and darkness as nighttime. There is day and night as it pertains to this world and there is light and darkness that pertains to heaven. Unless you can discern that, you can`t understand Genesis chapter 1.

That still does not explain a Gap Theory that is not mentioned in the Bible. It's imaginary. No verse talks about it.

 

[FreeGrace2]

That still does not explain a Gap Theory that is not mentioned in the Bible. It's imaginary. No verse talks about it.

You can stick with the traditional translation of Gen 1:2 and LIVE with the glaring contradiction with Isa 45:18 all you want.

As for me, I have no contradictions bertween the 2 verses.

God did NOT create the earth tohu. Period. He RESTORED the earth that had BECOME tohu. Period.

 

[RickReads]

That still does not explain a Gap Theory that is not mentioned in the Bible. It's imaginary. No verse talks about it.

The gap theory is a man-made term so of course, the Bible doesn`t mention it specifically. But as I showed you with Job 38, The angelic creation had already taken place when God made the earth. By implication, there is absolutely a period of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. It`s unreasonable to dispute that.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You can stick with the traditional translation of Gen 1:2 and LIVE with the glaring contradiction with Isa 45:18 all you want.

As for me, I have no contradictions bertween the 2 verses.

God did NOT create the earth tohu. Period. He RESTORED the earth that had BECOME tohu. Period.

First, I think the problem is that you think you know biblical Hebrew when you really don't know that language. Nobody does. You did not grow up among the Israelites during the time that biblical Hebrew was written and spoken. I know. I thought I could learn a language from reading a book. However, my wife (who is from another country who spoke another language) was correcting me on what a book says vs. real world application. You don't have Moses around to see if you are getting your Biblical Hebrew correct.

Second, just reading any Bible in the English does not in any way prove what your saying. So it's not glaring (or obvious) as you are saying. I just read the verses, and nowhere does Genesis 1:2, and or Isaiah 45:18 suggest a recreation going on here, and neither is it suggesting that there was a previous world before the six day creation.

 

[FreeGrace2]

The gap theory is a man-made term

Only the word 'theory' is man made. That is whatever people think occurred in the time gap.

What isn't theory is the time gap itself. And the proper translation of Gen 1:2 clearly shows that something (we don't have any details) happened to earth that resulted in it being an uninhabitable wasteland, packed in ice. Period.

the Bible doesn`t mention it specifically.

Clearly Gen 1:2 reveals that something changed the initial creation of earth, requiring a restoration (Heb 11:3) of it, which is the bulk of ch 1.

But as I showed you with Job 38, The angelic creation had already taken place when God made the earth. By implication, there is absolutely a period of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. It`s unreasonable to dispute that.

Now add Ezek 28-
11 The word of the LORD came to me:
12 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “ ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

Scholars believe that this "king of Tyre" refers to Satan himself.

v.15 clearly refers to Satan's day of creation. Only Adam and Eve were created. No one else.

V.13 locates Satan before "wickedness was found" in him in Eden, the garden of God.

Some will say there is a garden in heaven called Eden. Just a cop out.

Satan was on earth before he rebelled.

 

[FreeGrace2]

First, I think the problem is that you think you know biblical Hebrew when you really don't know that language.

You surely don't know what I think. I have never even suggested that I "know the Hebrew". What I do know is how to read a lexicon and look up the meaning of words.

Nobody does. You did not grow up among the Israelites during the time that biblical Hebrew was written and spoken. I know. I thought I could learn a language from reading a book. However, my wife was correcting me on what a book says vs. real world application. You don't have Moses around to see if you are getting your Biblical Hebrew correct.

What all of us DO have is scholarly work already done. And how the SAME KEY WORDS in 1:2 are used in all its other occurrences in the OT. Have you ever done that research? I have.

And don't discount the Septuagint, written by Hebrew scholars about 700 BC. They sure DID know the Hebrew as well as Koine Greek. Much better than anyone today.

And they began v.2 with the Greek 'de', not 'kai'. So they knew there was a conjunction of contrast between v.1 and v.2.

Second, just reading any Bible in the English does not in any way prove what your saying. So it's not glaring (or obvious) as you are saying.

I didn't do that. Didn't you anything I posted?

I explained how the key words in v.2 were used in all the rest of its occurrences in the OT. And NONE of the other occurrences were translated the way they were in v.2. Not hard to figure out the problem.

I just read the verses, and nowhere does Genesis 1:2, and or Isaiah 45:18 suggest a recreation going on here.

I've NEVER said anything about a "recreation" going on.

Did you look at Heb 11:3? By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

The Greek word for 'formed' is 'katartizo' and means: to mend, repair, fix, adjust to fit. It is used just that way twice in the gospels for the disciples MENDING their nets.

Gen 1 is about RESTORATION, not "recreation".

Consider this. If God actually created the earth "formless and void", then how come there is NOTHING about shaping the earth itself in ch 1?

"tohu wabohu" means an "uninhabited wasteland" as seen in the other occurrences where they are found.

And the contradiction with Isa 45:18.

You believe Gen 1:2 says "God created the earth tohu".

But Isa 45:18 says "God did not create tzhe earth tohu".

For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens(He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited ), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.

"did not creat it a waste place". Right there.

So, do you believe your version of Gen 1:2 OR OR OR Isa 45:18?

You cannot believe both. Unless there is some schizophrenia going on.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The gap theory is a man-made term so of course, the Bible doesn`t mention it specifically. But as I showed you with Job 38, The angelic creation had already taken place when God made the earth. By implication, there is absolutely a period of time between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. It`s unreasonable to dispute that.

Well, I do believe the Bible can imply gaps of time in describing things, but a gap is not found in Genesis 1, but it is found in Psalms 104.

I believe the angels were created on Day 2 according to Psalms 104. Note: The words in blue and red within brackets is my commentary to the text below.

1 "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment [The beginning of verse 2 here is possibly suggestive of "Day #1" within the 6 day Creation week where God brings forth light within our universe]: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire [The latter half of verse 2, and verses 3-4 are suggestive of "Day #2" when God created the three different Heavens within our universe, i.e. (a) the Sky (including the clouds - see vs. 3), (b) Space, and (c) The dwelling place of God's kingdom His, throne and His angels, etc.; Take note that it says He that God creates his angels here when talking about the creation of the Heavens]:
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever [This is suggestive of "Day #3" within the creation week where GOD makes the dry land to appear].
["Gap of Time"]
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. [At this point, the mention of the creation week is no long mentioned anymore; Here in verse 6 it continues with the mention of the "Global Flood" that happens later in Genesis 7 - See: Genesis 7:19-20 in how the flood waters covered the highest mountains.]" (Psalms 104:1-6).​

Note: This is not in conflict of when the angels shouted for joy when the foundations where laid according to Job.

6 "Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
(Job 38:6-7).​

For the angels were created on Day #2 along with the Heavens, and the foundations of the Earth (dry land) were laid after on Day #3 of the creation week.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You surely don't know what I think. I have never even suggested that I "know the Hebrew". What I do know is how to read a lexicon and look up the meaning of words.


What all of us DO have is scholarly work already done. And how the SAME KEY WORDS in 1:2 are used in all its other occurrences in the OT. Have you ever done that research? I have.

And don't discount the Septuagint, written by Hebrew scholars about 700 BC. They sure DID know the Hebrew as well as Koine Greek. Much better than anyone today.

And they began v.2 with the Greek 'de', not 'kai'. So they knew there was a conjunction of contrast between v.1 and v.2.


I didn't do that. Didn't you anything I posted?

I explained how the key words in v.2 were used in all the rest of its occurrences in the OT. And NONE of the other occurrences were translated the way they were in v.2. Not hard to figure out the problem.


I've NEVER said anything about a "recreation" going on.

Did you look at Heb 11:3? By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

The Greek word for 'formed' is 'katartizo' and means: to mend, repair, fix, adjust to fit. It is used just that way twice in the gospels for the disciples MENDING their nets.

Gen 1 is about RESTORATION, not "recreation".

Consider this. If God actually created the earth "formless and void", then how come there is NOTHING about shaping the earth itself in ch 1?

"tohu wabohu" means an "uninhabited wasteland" as seen in the other occurrences where they are found.

And the contradiction with Isa 45:18.

You believe Gen 1:2 says "God created the earth tohu".

But Isa 45:18 says "God did not create tzhe earth tohu".

For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens(He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited ), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.

"did not creat it a waste place". Right there.

So, do you believe your version of Gen 1:2 OR OR OR Isa 45:18?

You cannot believe both. Unless there is some schizophrenia going on.

Isaiah 45:18 says, “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”

God did not create the Earth to be in vain (without purpose) but He FORMED IT BE INHABITED. That's what the purpose of the Earth was being formed for. For life to inhabit it (or to live upon it). In other words, God created the Earth for the purpose for life to make it their home.

In Genesis 1:2, when God said the earth was without form and void, He is desribing a time of when it was not formed yet. So there is no contradiction. God did not bring forth any forming (or making) of the Earth before that event. But when God did form the Earth, He did it with the intention for living beings to make it their home. So you are seeing a contradiction where none exists.

 

[sawdust]

First, I think the problem is that you think you know biblical Hebrew when you really don't know that language. Nobody does. You did not grow up among the Israelites during the time that biblical Hebrew was written and spoken. I know. I thought I could learn a language from reading a book. However, my wife (who is from another country who spoke another language) was correcting me on what a book says vs. real world application. You don't have Moses around to see if you are getting your Biblical Hebrew correct.

Based on that logic every translation of the Bible is unreliable.

 

[FreeGrace2]

Well, I do believe the Bible can imply gaps of time in describing things, but a gap is not found in Genesis 1

You have a choice to make.

Either there is a time gap in Gen 1:2, and there is no conflict with Isa 45:18.

Or,

There is NO time gap and there IS a conflict with Isa 45:18.

You may take your pick.

Isa 45:18 says "God did not create the earth tohu".

Without a gap, Gen 1:2 says "God created the earth tohu".

I reject any notion that the Bible is internally contradicted or conflicted.

I have proved the traditional translation of Gen 1:2 is poor, by comparing the key words with how those SAME KEY WORDS are translated elsewhere in the OT.

There is no issue at all with recognizing a very old earth, much older than Adam.

Why do believers drag their feet and scream at the idea that the earth is way older than Adam? It doesn't change anything doctrinally or theologically.

What it does do is open a door for conversation with evolutionists regading Scripture and WHY the earth is so old.

But those who drag their feet screaming receive only scorn from scientists. No opportunity to have a sensible discussion about the Bible.

But that's their choice.

 

[FreeGrace2]

Isaiah 45:18 says, “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”

I don't know what translation you quoted from, but you apparently ignored what the NASB said, which I have quoted several times now.

Here are 14 English translations:

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
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.

NASB 1995
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.

NASB 1977
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, But formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none 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.

I haven't made up anything. This is how HALF of the 28 English translations from biblehub.com rendered "tohu". [the red words]

So again, you have a choice.

Believe that the Bible is contradicted, or believe that there is a time gap between the first 2 verses of Gen 1.

Your pick.

God did not create the Earth to be in vain (without purpose) but He FORMED IT BE INHABITED.

See the 14 translations above.

Again, you have a choice.

In Genesis 1:2, when God said the earth was without form and void, He is desribing a time of when it was not formed yet.

No, God DID NOT SAY THAT. God had Moses write, "but the earth became a desolate or uninhabitable wasteland". See above for how 14 English translations rendered "tohu". That same word was poorly translated as "without form" in Gen 1:2.

So there is no contradiction. God did not bring forth any forming (or making) of the Earth before that event.

Even if "tohu" means "in vain" in Isa 45:18, then it must mean the SAME THING in Gen 1:2.

So you STILL have a conflict. Either God created the earth "in vain" or He didn't create the earth "in vain".

You CAN'T change the meaning of a word just to suit your emotions.

You have a choice.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Based on that logic every translation of the Bible is unreliable.

That is not true. The KJB is a reliable translation.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I don't know what translation you quoted from, but you apparently ignored what the NASB said, which I have quoted several times now.

Here are 14 English translations:

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
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.

NASB 1995
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), "I am the LORD, and there is none else.

NASB 1977
For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, But formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none 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.

I haven't made up anything. This is how HALF of the 28 English translations from biblehub.com rendered "tohu". [the red words]

So again, you have a choice.

Believe that the Bible is contradicted, or believe that there is a time gap between the first 2 verses of Gen 1.

Your pick.


See the 14 translations above.

Again, you have a choice.


No, God DID NOT SAY THAT. God had Moses write, "but the earth became a desolate or uninhabitable wasteland". See above for how 14 English translations rendered "tohu". That same word was poorly translated as "without form" in Gen 1:2.


Even if "tohu" means "in vain" in Isa 45:18, then it must mean the SAME THING in Gen 1:2.

So you STILL have a conflict. Either God created the earth "in vain" or He didn't create the earth "in vain".

You CAN'T change the meaning of a word just to suit your emotions.

You have a choice.

It does not change anything. There are other planets that are void of life. WHEN God formed the Earth, His intention was not to create a world devoid of life. This is what Isaiah was saying. The Earth being without form as mentioned in Genesis 1:2 was not formed yet until God put forth the action to form it (of which we see in Genesis 1). So again, there is no contradiction. You just are fishing for reasons for a Gap Theory and you are desperate to find anything you can use to defend your theory. I know. It is emotional for some. To take criticism from the Scientific community that Christians believe the Earth is young is not easy for every believer to handle or accept. Who wants to be ridiculed?