📖 Biblical Definition
The opening chapter of Scripture, the foundational creation account. The chapter is structured around six days of creation followed by a seventh day of rest. Days 1-3 establish realms (light/darkness; sky/sea; land/vegetation); days 4-6 fill those realms with their inhabitants (sun/moon/stars; sea-creatures/birds; land-animals/man). The repeated refrain and God saw that it was good punctuates the chapter; the climactic creation of man in God's image (vv. 26-27) is declared very good. Key theological commitments anchored here: God creates ex nihilo by His word (Heb 11:3); creation is good (against ancient pagan and modern Gnostic dualisms that devalue matter); humanity is uniquely image-of-God, both male and female; the cultural mandate of be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it (v. 28) belongs to all humanity. The chapter's interpretation has divided Christian readers (six literal 24-hour days vs. day-age vs. framework theory vs. analogical days), but the doctrinal core — God creating by His sovereign word and declaring His work good — unites every orthodox position.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The creation chapter.
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The opening chapter of Scripture in which God speaks the cosmos into existence in six days, climaxing with humanity in His image, male and female, with dominion.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 1:1 — "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
Genesis 1:27 — "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
Genesis 1:31 — "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reframed as ancient mythology or evolutionary process to harmonize with naturalism.
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Genesis 1 is treated as poetic primitive science by some, or as a problem to solve by others. The text presents itself as the foundational account: God created — by word, by week, with humanity in His image. Whatever else we say, that has to stand.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew bereshit — in beginning.
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['Hebrew', 'H7225', 'reshit', 'beginning, first']
['Hebrew', 'H1254', 'bara', 'create (God only)']
Usage
"Read Genesis 1 to anchor your worldview."
"Image-of-God dignity comes from this chapter."