DAY 1

 DAY 1

Gen 1:1 in the beginning elohim created the heaven and the earth

Gen 1:2 and the earth became without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the spirit of elohim moved upon the face of the waters

Gen 1:3 and elohim said become light and became light

Gen 1:4 and elohim saw the light that it was good and elohim divided the light from the darkness

Gen 1:5 and elohim called the light day and the darkness he called night and there was evening and there was morning the first day

Genesis 1:1 in the beginning elohim created the heaven and the earth

b’reshiyth elohim created the heaven and the earth

as firstfruits, elohim created the heaven and the earth

b’reshiyth = as firstfruits: relationship, not chronology

b'reshiyth is the title of the book. Not Genesis

In the original Hebrew scrolls (before chapter/verse divisions or Greek/English titles were added centuries later), the Torah books are indeed named by their opening word(s)—what are called incipits. This was standard for ancient Near Eastern texts: a book is titled by its first distinctive phrase to identify it in oral or written reference.

The Traditional Hebrew Titles of the Torah Books

• B'reshiyth (בְּרֵאשִׁית) – What Christians call "Genesis." Literally the first word: "In the beginning" or, as you've framed it, carrying the weight of "firstfruits/priority."

• Shemot (שְׁמוֹת) – "Names" (from Exod 1:1: "These are the names...") – English "Exodus."

• Vayikra (וַיִּקְרָא) – "And He called" (Lev 1:1) – English "Leviticus."

• Bamidbar (בַּמִּדְבָּר) – "In the wilderness" (Num 1:1) – English "Numbers."

• Devarim (דְּבָרִים) – "Words" (Deut 1:1) – English "Deuteronomy."

Jewish tradition to this day refers to them this way: the first book is simply Sefer B'reshiyth ("The Book of B'reshiyth").

The English name "Genesis" comes from the Greek Septuagint (Γένεσις – "origin/generation"), reflecting a thematic summary rather than the Hebrew incipit. But the authentic, original title is B'reshiyth.

If the book's title is B'reshiyth—with its rich resonance of "firstfruits," "choicest portion," "priority"—then the entire work announces its theme from the very first word:

• YHVH offering His best (Himself in relationship) as the foundational act.

• The parable of formation (your seven days) proclaiming that priority.

• The genealogies ("toledot") tracing the bloodline of salvation toward the ultimate Firstfruits—Yeshua.

It's not just a verse; it's the title declaring the book's purpose: the history of salvation beginning with YHVH's choicest offer, fulfilled when "YHVH is Salvation" becomes the reshiyth of the resurrected new creation.

Tradition renamed it "Genesis" (origins of the cosmos), shifting focus to material beginnings. But restoring the Hebrew title B'reshiyth recenters it on priority—relationship as YHWH's firstfruits gift.

This elevates b’reshiyth to an entire new level. Consider 1Co 15:20 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. Does the very first word of scripture “b’reshiyth” point to the Messiah?

elohim is Yehovah

heaven is Yehovah

earth is Adam and the descendants of Adam, the children of Israel

as firstfruits, Yehovah offered Himself to a relationship with Adam 

Yehovah offered Adam the best of the best - Himself

This is the work of Yehovah, not the work of man. 

Genesis 1:2 and the earth became without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the spirit of elohim moved upon the face of the waters

the earth became tohu and bohu

The earth, the children of Israel became tohu and bohu

When Moses arrived on the scene the children of Israel had fallen from the Garden and were in complete disarray and in bondage in Egypt.

and darkness was upon the face of the deep

darkness is slavery, evil

the face of the deep - the character of Egypt

the children of Israel were buried in the slavery of Egypt

the spirit of elohim moved upon the face of the waters

the ruach of Yehovah - words spoken by Yehovah

Yehovah was watching over His word to perform it.

The ruach of Yehovah hovered over the face of the waters

Yehovah heard their cries and remembered His promise made to Abraham

Yehovah promised Abram that in 400 years He would rescue his descendants from Egypt. That time had arrived.

Yehovah began gathering His forces to deliver His people out of Egypt.

Genesis 1:3 and elohim said let there be light and there was light

and elohim said become light and became light

Who would Yehovah choose to lead His people?

Yehovah appeared to Moses in a burning bush

Yehovah called Moses to be His light

and to lead His people to freedom

“Moses, BECOME LIGHT!”

Moses BECAME LIGHT! 

1500 years later, a prophet like Moses would arrive to lead Israel: 

Matthew 4:16 …The people that sat in darkness, saw a great light, and to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, to them did light spring up. 

Elohim reveals His name to Moses: YHVH,  Yehovah -- I WAS. I AM. I WILL BE.

Unfortunately, YHVH is often translated LORD, out of tradition and “reverence” for His name. But the name of the Elohim of Israel was revealed as “Yehovah”.

Genesis 1:4 and Elohim saw the light that it was good 

light is good, freedom

darkness is evil, slavery

and elohim divided the light from the darkness

Yehovah offers freedom to the slaves

Yehovah will separate His people from Egypt

Genesis 1:5 and Elohim called the light day and the darkness he called night 

Yehovah determines good and evil

There was evil but good is just over the horizon

and there was evening and there was morning the first day

“The repeated structure of ‘evening and morning’ signals a pattern designed to be remembered and taught.”