Genesis 1 – Line 00017

LINE SOURCE FILE

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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 1:17

וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם לְהָאִיר עַל־הָאָרֶץ

2. DIRECT TRANSLITERATION

vayyiten otam Elohim birqia ha-shamayim le-ha’ir al-ha-aretz

3. WORD-BY-WORD LEXICAL BREAKDOWN

WORD 1

Original: וַיִּתֵּן

Transliteration: vayyiten

Root: נתן (natan)

Part of Speech: Verb

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

Lexical Range:

to give

to put

to place

to set

to bestow

WORD 2

Original: אֹתָם

Transliteration: otam

Root: —

Part of Speech: Pronoun

Grammar: 3rd person masculine plural object suffix

Lexical Range:

them

WORD 3

Original: אֱלֹהִים

Transliteration: Elohim

Root: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural in form, singular in function here

Lexical Range:

God

gods

divine beings

rulers, judges

WORD 4

Original: בִּרְקִיעַ

Transliteration: birqia

Root: רקע (raqia)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Masculine singular with prefixed בְּ (“in”)

Lexical Range:

expanse

firmament

extended surface

sky dome

WORD 5

Original: הַשָּׁמָיִם

Transliteration: ha-shamayim

Root: שָׁמַיִם (shamayim)

Part of Speech: Noun

Grammar: Plural with definite article

Lexical Range:

heavens

skies

celestial realm

WORD 6

Original: לְהָאִיר

Transliteration: le-ha’ir

Root: אוֹר (or)

Part of Speech: Verb (Infinitive Construct, Hiphil)

Lexical Range:

to give light

to shine upon

to illuminate

WORD 7

Original: עַל־הָאָרֶץ

Transliteration: al-ha-aretz

Root: על (‘al) + ארץ (erets)

Part of Speech: Preposition + Noun

Grammar: Construct with definite article

Lexical Range:

upon the earth

over the land

on the ground

4. STRUCTURAL NOTES

This verse describes God actively “placing” the luminaries in the expanse of the heavens.

Infinitive “le-ha’ir” gives their purpose: illumination upon the earth.

Continues the sequential structure of divine command → fulfillment.

5. VARIANT MANUSCRIPT NOTES

MT and DSS align; no major divergences.

Septuagint: “καὶ ἔθηκεν αὐτὰ ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τοῦ φαίνειν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς” (“and God placed them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth”).

Samaritan Pentateuch agrees with MT.

6. STRUCTURAL CONNECTION TO OTHER LINES

Directly continues the luminary creation in v.16.

Parallel purpose clause to v.15 (“to give light on the earth”).

Prepares for v.18, which adds governing/separating functions.

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.