What Does Genesis 1:14 Mean?

“said”

to say (used with great latitude)

“And God”

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

“Let there be lights”

properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e., (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively, brightness, i.e.,cheerfulness; specifically, a chandeli

“in the firmament”

properly, an expanse, i.e., the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky

“of the heaven”

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

“to divide”

to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

“and for days”

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

“from the night”

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

“and let them be for signs”

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

“and for seasons”

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

“and for days”

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

“and years”

a year (as a revolution of time)