Daily Bread for Women

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

Genesis 1:2 (NKJV)

The word “earth” is translated from the Hebrew word ‘ereṣ, and can mean earth, land, country, or ground, among a few other things.

“Spirit” is translated from the Hebrew word rûaḥ, and can mean spirit, wind, breath, mind, or blast, among a few other things.

The translation of God is really important, and was discussed in Genesis 1:1 as well.

The word “God” is translated from the Hebrew word ‘ĕlōhîm. While it has overwhelmingly been translated as “God” (2,346 times) throughout the Scriptures, it also has been translated as the following:

god (244x), judge (5x), GOD (1x), goddess (2x), great (2x), mighty (2x), angels (1x), exceeding (1x), God-ward (1x), godly (1x).

The phrase “of the waters” is translated from the Hebrew word mayim, and it usually means just that…water.