Genesis 1:5

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And God called the light day, and the darknes night: and the euenyng & the mornyng were the first day.

American Standard Version 1901

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

American Standard Version Strongs 1901

And God{H430} called{H7121} the light{H216} Day,{H3117} and the darkness{H2822} he called{H7121} Night.{H3915} And there was evening{H6153} and there was morning,{H1242} one{H259} day.{H3117}

Geneva Bible

And God called the light, Day, and the darkenes, he called Night. So the euening and the morning were the first day.

King James Version 1900

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

This Genesis 1:5 passage signifies God’s establishment of order, time, and sovereign authority by defining the first cycle of creation, moving from darkness (night) to light (day). It highlights that light was created after darkness, initiating a pattern where days begin at sunset. It establishes the fundamental, physical "day" regardless of the sun's absence until day four.
Key interpretations of this phrase include:
Order and Time: The phrase marks the completion of a full cycle (one day). "Evening" (erev) represents dusk/darkness, while "morning" (boker) signifies the breakthrough of light and order.
Theocratic Naming: By naming light "Day" and darkness "Night," God exercises sovereign authority over creation.
Jewish Tradition: This sets the precedent for the Jewish calendar, where days are counted from evening to evening.
Symbolic/Metaphorical Meaning: Some interpret this as a progression from disorder to order, or a representation of God’s redemptive,, or transformative work.
Creation Sequence: The "first day" (Hebrew: Yom Echad) indicates the very first unit of time, highlighting the beginning of creation.
The phrase emphasizes that the day is defined by this sequence rather than simply 24 hours measured by the sun.