Genesis 1 – Line 00006

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INTRO

This file shows what the earliest Hebrew/Greek manuscripts say, word by word, before any interpretation.

PREFACE

This file presents the earliest traceable form of this line, drawn primarily from manuscript sources like the Leningrad Codex.

Where other manuscript witnesses differ or offer meaningful variation (such as the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Samaritan Pentateuch), we remain watchful and will note those cases transparently when identified.

Every word is shown with its full lexical range — without smoothing, interpretation, or insertion.

This is not a translation or conclusion. It is a transparent starting point, open to personal encounter and divine resonance.

We do not treat any human source as final — only as visible reference points for deeper unfolding.

While we strive for care and clarity, any oversight or omission is unintentional, and all work remains open to refinement as understanding grows.

1. ORIGINAL LINE TEXT

Language: Hebrew

Manuscript Source: Leningrad Codex

Line Reference: Genesis 1:6

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם וִיהִי מַבְדִּיל בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם

2. DIRECT TRANSLITERATION

vayomer Elohim yehi raqia betokh ha-mayim vihi mavdil bein mayim la-mayim

3. WORD-BY-WORD LEXICAL BREAKDOWN

WORD 1

Original: וַיֹּאמֶר

Transliteration: vayomer

Root: אמר (amar)

Part of Speech: Verb

Grammar: Qal, imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular, vav-consecutive

Lexical Range:

to say

to speak

to command

to declare

WORD 2

Original: אֱלֹהִים

Transliteration: Elohim

Root: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural in form, used with singular verbs

Lexical Range:

God

gods

divine beings

rulers, judges

Notable Observations: Plural in form yet paired with singular verb usage here.

WORD 3

Original: יְהִי

Transliteration: yehi

Root: היה (hayah)

Part of Speech: Verb

Grammar: Qal, jussive, 3rd person masculine singular

Lexical Range:

let it be

let it come into existence

let it happen

WORD 4

Original: רָקִיעַ

Transliteration: raqia

Root: רקע (raq’a)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Masculine singular

Lexical Range:

extended surface

expanse

firmament

something beaten out (as in metal)

sky-dome

WORD 5

Original: בְּתוֹךְ

Transliteration: betokh

Root: תוך (tokh)

Part of Speech: Preposition

Grammar: Construct form with prefixed preposition בְּ

Lexical Range:

in the midst of

within

inside

WORD 6

Original: הַמָּיִם

Transliteration: ha-mayim

Root: מַיִם (mayim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural with definite article

Lexical Range:

waters

liquid masses

WORD 7

Original: וִיהִי

Transliteration: vihi

Root: היה (hayah)

Part of Speech: Verb

Grammar: Qal, jussive, 3rd person masculine singular, with prefixed conjunction ו

Lexical Range:

and let it be

and may it exist

and let it happen

WORD 8

Original: מַבְדִּיל

Transliteration: mavdil

Root: בדל (badal)

Part of Speech: Verb (participle, Hiphil, masculine singular)

Lexical Range:

dividing

separating

making distinct

setting apart

WORD 9

Original: בֵּין

Transliteration: bein

Root: בֵּין (bein)

Part of Speech: Preposition

Lexical Range:

between

among

interval, division

WORD 10

Original: מַיִם

Transliteration: mayim

Root: מַיִם (mayim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural

Lexical Range:

waters

liquid masses

WORD 11

Original: לָמָיִם

Transliteration: la-mayim

Root: מַיִם (mayim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural with prefixed preposition לְ (“to/for/between”)

Lexical Range:

waters

liquid masses

Notable Observations: Construction indicates separation “between waters to waters.”

4. STRUCTURAL NOTES

The verse follows the recurring Genesis 1 structure: divine speech introduced by “vayomer Elohim” → jussive command → fulfillment statement.

“Yehi raqia” presents a command form for creation of a new element.

The participial “mavdil” indicates an ongoing or defining function of separation.

The phrase “bein… la-” is a common Hebrew structure for distinguishing divisions.

5. VARIANT MANUSCRIPT NOTES

No significant differences noted between Masoretic Text (Leningrad Codex) and major Dead Sea Scroll fragments in this verse.

Septuagint (LXX) renders “raqia” as στερέωμα (stereōma, “firmament/solid structure”), influencing later interpretations.

6. STRUCTURAL CONNECTION TO OTHER LINES

This is the second instance of “vayomer Elohim” (following Genesis 1:3), part of the recurring divine speech acts.

The theme of separation (badal) echoes Genesis 1:4 (light/darkness) and recurs in Genesis 1:14 (day/night, seasons).

The concept of “raqia” appears again in Genesis 1:7–8 and in Psalm 19:1, Ezekiel 1:22–26.

7. CAUTIONARY REMINDER

The content above does not represent a translation.

No conclusions, smoothing, or interpretive decisions have been made.

This file serves only to display the original structure and lexical range as transparently as possible.