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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 4 - Verse 23

4:23
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

Meaning

Genesis 1:2 tells us that when God initially looked upon the earth, it was formless and empty, with darkness covering the depths of the world. The image presented here is one of chaos and desolation, a stark contrast to the organized and beautiful world that God would soon create. The lack of light in the heavens signifies a lack of divine order and presence, emphasizing the darkness that permeated the universe at this point in time. This verse sets the stage for the creation story in Genesis, highlighting the power of God to bring order to chaos and light to darkness. It serves as a reminder of the transformative and creative nature of God, capable of bringing beauty and purpose to even the most chaotic of situations.

Theological Overview

Many theologians and scholars interpret the phrase "without form, and void" in this verse as indicating a state of chaos or emptiness. This notion is further supported by the following verses in Genesis which describe God bringing order to the chaos and darkness. The Hebrew words used for "without form" and "void" are "tohu" and "bohu" respectively, which suggest a sense of desolation and emptiness. The phrase "and the heavens, and they had no light" could be seen as a metaphor for the absence of divine presence or guidance. This interpretation ties in with the overall theme of God's creative power and His ability to bring light and order into the universe. By studying the original Hebrew words and context of this verse, we can gain a deeper understanding of the theological implications and significance of the creation narrative in the Bible.

American Standard Version

I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
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