Genesis 1 – Line 00016

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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 1:16

וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־שְׁנֵי הַמְּאֹרֹת הַגְּדֹלִים אֶת־הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדוֹל לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַיּוֹם וְאֶת־הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטֹן לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַלַּיְלָה וְאֵת הַכּוֹכָבִים

2. DIRECT TRANSLITERATION

vayya‘as Elohim et-shnei ha-me’orot ha-gedolim et-ha-ma’or ha-gadol le-memshelet ha-yom ve-et-ha-ma’or ha-qaton le-memshelet ha-laylah ve-et ha-kokhavim

3. WORD-BY-WORD LEXICAL BREAKDOWN

WORD 1

Original: וַיַּעַשׂ

Transliteration: vayya‘as

Root: עשה (asah)

Part of Speech: Verb

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

Lexical Range:

to make

to do

to act

to fashion

to perform

WORD 2

Original: אֱלֹהִים

Transliteration: Elohim

Root: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural in form, singular in grammar 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 (no direct equivalent in English)

WORD 4

Original: שְׁנֵי

Transliteration: shnei

Root: שני (shenayim)

Part of Speech: Numeral

Grammar: Construct dual form

Lexical Range:

two

WORD 5

Original: הַמְּאֹרֹת

Transliteration: ha-me’orot

Root: מָאוֹר (ma’or)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Masculine plural with definite article

Lexical Range:

lights

luminaries

shining bodies

WORD 6

Original: הַגְּדֹלִים

Transliteration: ha-gedolim

Root: גָּדוֹל (gadol)

Part of Speech: Adjective

Grammar: Masculine plural with definite article

Lexical Range:

great

large

important

distinguished

WORD 7

Original: אֶת־הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדוֹל

Transliteration: et-ha-ma’or ha-gadol

Root: מָאוֹר (ma’or) + גָּדוֹל (gadol)

Part of Speech: Noun + Adjective

Grammar: Masculine singular with definite article

Lexical Range:

the great light

the larger luminary

WORD 8

Original: לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת

Transliteration: le-memshelet

Root: מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Feminine singular with prefixed לְ (“for, to”)

Lexical Range:

rule

dominion

authority

governance

WORD 9

Original: הַיּוֹם

Transliteration: ha-yom

Root: יוֹם (yom)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Masculine singular with definite article

Lexical Range:

day

daytime

24-hour period

time

WORD 10

Original: וְאֶת־הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטֹן

Transliteration: ve-et-ha-ma’or ha-qaton

Root: מָאוֹר (ma’or) + קָטֹן (qaton)

Part of Speech: Noun + Adjective

Grammar: Masculine singular with definite article

Lexical Range:

the lesser light

the smaller luminary

WORD 11

Original: לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת

Transliteration: le-memshelet

Root: מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Feminine singular with prefixed לְ

Lexical Range:

for rule

for dominion

for authority

WORD 12

Original: הַלַּיְלָה

Transliteration: ha-laylah

Root: לַיְלָה (laylah)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Masculine singular with definite article

Lexical Range:

night

nighttime period

darkness hours

WORD 13

Original: וְאֵת הַכּוֹכָבִים

Transliteration: ve-et ha-kokhavim

Root: כּוֹכָב (kokhav)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Masculine plural with definite article + prefixed וְ

Lexical Range:

stars

celestial bodies

4. STRUCTURAL NOTES

The verse uses a threefold structure: “two great lights” → their specific functions (day/night) → addition of stars.

The great/lesser distinction is functional (day/night governance), not necessarily size-related.

The particle “et” marks each object of divine making.

5. VARIANT MANUSCRIPT NOTES

MT and DSS align closely.

Septuagint renders “two great lights” as “δύο φωστῆρες τοὺς μεγάλους” (two great luminaries).

Samaritan Pentateuch matches MT.

6. STRUCTURAL CONNECTION TO OTHER LINES

Direct fulfillment of the command in vv.14–15.

Anticipates v.17, where God sets them in the expanse.

Echoes “rule” motif found again in Psalm 136:7–9.

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.