Genesis 1 – Line 00007

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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 1:7

וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָרָקִיעַ וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ וַיְהִי־כֵן

2. DIRECT TRANSLITERATION

vayya‘as Elohim et-ha-raqia vayyavdel bein ha-mayim asher mitachat la-raqia uvein ha-mayim asher me‘al la-raqia vayhi-ken

3. WORD-BY-WORD LEXICAL BREAKDOWN

WORD 1

Original: וַיַּעַשׂ

Transliteration: vayya‘as

Root: עָשָׂה (asah)

Part of Speech: Verb

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

Lexical Range:

to make

to do

to perform

to produce

to act

WORD 2

Original: אֱלֹהִים

Transliteration: Elohim

Root: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural in form, singular in usage here

Lexical Range:

God

gods

divine beings

rulers, judges

WORD 3

Original: אֶת־

Transliteration: et

Root: —

Part of Speech: Particle

Grammar: Direct object marker

Lexical Range:

marks the definite direct object

has no direct English equivalent

WORD 4

Original: הָרָקִיעַ

Transliteration: ha-raqia

Root: רקע (raq’a)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Masculine singular with definite article

Lexical Range:

expanse

firmament

extended surface

something beaten or spread out

WORD 5

Original: וַיַּבְדֵּל

Transliteration: vayyavdel

Root: בדל (badal)

Part of Speech: Verb

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

Lexical Range:

to divide

to separate

to make distinct

to set apart

WORD 6

Original: בֵּין

Transliteration: bein

Root: בֵּין (bein)

Part of Speech: Preposition

Lexical Range:

between

among

interval

division

WORD 7

Original: הַמַּיִם

Transliteration: ha-mayim

Root: מַיִם (mayim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural with definite article

Lexical Range:

waters

liquid masses

WORD 8

Original: אֲשֶׁר

Transliteration: asher

Root: אֲשֶׁר

Part of Speech: Relative pronoun

Lexical Range:

which

that

who

WORD 9

Original: מִתַּחַת

Transliteration: mitachat

Root: תחת (tachat)

Part of Speech: Preposition with prefixed מִן (min, “from”)

Lexical Range:

from under

beneath

below

WORD 10

Original: לָרָקִיעַ

Transliteration: la-raqia

Root: רקע (raq’a)

Part of Speech: Noun with prefixed לְ (“to/for/belonging to”)

Grammar: Masculine singular with definite article

Lexical Range:

to the expanse

to/for the firmament

WORD 11

Original: וּבֵין

Transliteration: uvein

Root: ו + בֵּין (ve + bein)

Part of Speech: Conjunction + Preposition

Lexical Range:

and between

and among

WORD 12

Original: הַמַּיִם

Transliteration: ha-mayim

Root: מַיִם (mayim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural with definite article

Lexical Range:

waters

liquid masses

WORD 13

Original: אֲשֶׁר

Transliteration: asher

Root: אֲשֶׁר

Part of Speech: Relative pronoun

Lexical Range:

which

that

who

WORD 14

Original: מֵעַל

Transliteration: me‘al

Root: על (al) with prefixed מִן (min)

Part of Speech: Preposition

Lexical Range:

from above

from upon

from over

WORD 15

Original: לָרָקִיעַ

Transliteration: la-raqia

Root: רקע (raq’a)

Part of Speech: Noun with prefixed לְ (“to/for/belonging to”)

Grammar: Masculine singular with definite article

Lexical Range:

to the expanse

to/for the firmament

WORD 16

Original: וַיְהִי־כֵן

Transliteration: vayhi-ken

Root: היה (hayah) + כֵּן (ken)

Part of Speech: Verb + Adverb

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

Lexical Range:

and it was so

and it came to pass in this way

and thus it came into being

4. STRUCTURAL NOTES

The verse describes divine action (“vayya‘as Elohim”) followed by divine separation (“vayyavdel”).

The construction “bein… uvein…” parallels Genesis 1:4 and 1:6, emphasizing ordered separation.

The final clause “vayhi-ken” is a formulaic affirmation of fulfillment, recurring throughout Genesis 1.

5. VARIANT MANUSCRIPT NOTES

No significant variant readings recorded in Masoretic or Qumran witnesses for this verse.

Septuagint renders “raqia” as στερέωμα (stereōma, “firmament/solid structure”), consistent with 1:6.

6. STRUCTURAL CONNECTION TO OTHER LINES

Expands on Genesis 1:6 by narrating fulfillment of the command.

Echoes the separation motif begun in Genesis 1:4 and continued in Genesis 1:14.

“Vayhi-ken” recurs in vv.9, 11, 15, 24, functioning as a creation-fulfillment marker.

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.