![]() The reader must be aware of two points regarding the use of the article in Hebrew. Let us see if he is correct in this use of the article. 5 Gleason Archer makes the following statement: "In Hebrew prose of this genre, the definite article was generally used where the noun was intended to be definite." 6 The genre, or the form of the literature (i.e., history as opposed to poetry) he is referring to here, is history. They have noted that the normal use of the article is to make the noun definite. They have concluded that Moses must have meant to convey to his readers that at least those days were long periods of time. Some writers have observed the absence of the article from the mention of each of the first five days. Once we have determined the meaning of the term "day," we need also to examine another problem connected with the days of Genesis 1. The normal meaning is that of 24-hour periods of time. If we are to understand what Moses wrote, then the language he used must be understood in its normal meaning. If Moses had meant to signify that the "days" were more than 24 hours in length, he could easily have done so. The words that Moses used to communicate what God did during creation are very significant. If the meaning of the word "day" with a number always means a 24-hour period of time outside of Genesis 1, then it should also mean a 24-hour period of time inside Genesis 1. An example is Leviticus 19:6: "It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire." It would appear, then, that whenever the Old Testament uses a number with the word "day," it means a 24-hour period of time without any demonstrable exception. Ezra 3:6 says, "From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord." A number may also be used with "day" to convey an ending point. Four times the terms are used to show a starting point. A good example is Exodus 24:16: "And the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days, and on the seventh day He called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud." These are the most typical uses of the word "day" with a number. A typical verse is Genesis 30:36: "And he (Laban) set three days journey betwixt himself and Jacob." God frequently issued commands that the people were to do or not to do certain things on a given day. If the combinations had been intended to mean long periods of time, both the texts and contexts then become meaningless. The combination is used in four different ways, but each time it is used, it must mean 24-hour periods of time. This combination occurs 357 times outside of Genesis 1. The use of a number with the word "day" is very illuminating. ![]() It will be shown how the context defines the word in Genesis 1. 4 Word meaning must be determined from within its context. Words must be defined by their relationship to one another. Moses wrote in a language that was meant to communicate to his readers. ![]() The English language also can have up to 14 definitions for the word "day." 3 The reader should be reminded that the purpose of language is to communicate. 2 The context determines which of these is intended by the writer. It can have any of five meanings: 1) a period of light 2) a period of 24 hours 3) a general, vague time 4) a point of time 5) a year. It is recognized, of course, that the word "day" can be used with a number of variations. ![]() These verses are really irrelevant to the discussion of the meaning of "day," in Genesis 1. Both of these verses, however, are simply using figures of speech (similes) to show that God is not constrained by the same time parameters as are humans. Those who argue that the word "day" means "long age," point out that the Hebrew word, yom, can have a number of meanings, only one of which is "day of 24 hours." 1 They further seek to strengthen their position with the use of Psalm 90:4 and II Peter 3:8, comparing a day to a thousand years. What is the meaning he was trying to communicate to his original audience and to us, as well? Why did Moses use the word "day" and not the more generic term, "time"? Is there any significance to the repeated use of numbers in the account ("first day," "second day," etc.)? Why are these "days" bounded by the terms, "evening and morning"? As we examine the text of Genesis 1, answers to these questions become clear. We must ask ourselves why Moses was using the words he did, and not other words. The communication of language is through words and their use. Therefore, let us attempt, honestly, to examine the evidence from Scripture. Many have sought to redefine the term in light of the naturalistic presuppositions of modern scientism. The length of the "days" of creation in Genesis has involved a major controversy in Biblical interpretation among evangelicals for over 150 years. ![]()
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