Thus the heavens and the earth were completedThis phrase signifies the conclusion of the creation process, emphasizing the completion and perfection of God's work. The use of "completed" indicates that nothing was left unfinished, reflecting God's omnipotence and intentionality. This completion is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus declares, "It is finished" (
John 19:30), signifying the completion of His redemptive work. The heavens and the earth encompass all of creation, highlighting the scope of God's creative power. The phrase also sets the stage for the Sabbath rest, which follows in
Genesis 2:2-3, underscoring the importance of rest and reflection after work.
in all their vast array.
The term "vast array" suggests the complexity and diversity of creation, from the celestial bodies to the myriad forms of life on earth. This phrase invites reflection on the order and beauty inherent in creation, which is a testament to God's wisdom and creativity. The "vast array" can also be seen as a precursor to the diversity within the body of Christ, as described in1 Corinthians 12:12-27, where each part has a unique role and purpose. The phrase underscores the interconnectedness of all creation, which is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, reminding believers of their responsibility to steward the earth wisely.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Heavens and EarthRefers to the entire universe created by God. In the Hebrew text, "heavens" (shamayim) and "earth" (erets) encompass all of creation.
2.
Completion of CreationThis event marks the end of the six days of creation, where God finished His work and everything was in its intended order and function.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and OrderThe completion of creation underscores God's sovereignty and the order He established in the universe. Believers can trust in God's perfect plan and timing.
The Importance of RestJust as God rested after His work, we are reminded of the importance of rest in our lives. Observing a day of rest can help us recharge physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Reflection on CreationTake time to appreciate the beauty and complexity of God's creation. This reflection can lead to a deeper worship and gratitude towards the Creator.
Completion and FulfillmentGod's work in creation was complete and perfect. Similarly, we can trust that God will bring to completion the good work He has begun in us (
Philippians 1:6).
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 2:1?
2.How does Genesis 2:1 emphasize God's completion of creation work?
3.What does "heavens and earth were completed" reveal about God's power and order?
4.How can we reflect God's rest after creation in our weekly routine?
5.How does Genesis 2:1 connect with the Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20:8-11?
6.In what ways can recognizing God's creation completion enhance our worship practices?
7.How does Genesis 2:1 align with scientific understanding of the universe's creation?
8.Why does Genesis 2:1 emphasize completion of creation in six days?
9.What theological significance does the "heavens and earth were completed" hold?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 2?
11.What are heavenly hosts?
12.What did God do on day seven?
13.How can the order of creation in Genesis match modern astrophysics when it contradicts known cosmological events?
14.How do different religions compare in beliefs and practices?What Does Genesis 2:1 Mean
Thus- “Thus” signals a conclusion, wrapping up the creative narrative begun inGenesis 1:1.
- It points back to the ordered sequence of six literal days (cf.Genesis 1:31;Exodus 20:11), showing that what follows is the closing statement, not a new stage.
- The word also underscores God’s direct involvement; creation moves from God’s spoken word (“And God said…,”Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, etc.) to the finished result.
the heavens and the earth- This familiar pair is a merism—a concise way of saying “everything.”
• “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) establishes that God alone is the source of all physical reality.
•Psalm 146:6 joins the refrain: “He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.”
- Scripture treats these realms as literal, tangible spaces: the sky above, the earth beneath, and all celestial and terrestrial bodies (Nehemiah 9:6).
were completed- “Completed” affirms finality; nothing remained unfinished or evolving.
•Genesis 2:2 repeats, “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing.”
•Exodus 31:17 ties this completion to God’s rest, showing divine satisfaction with a perfect, sinless creation.
- The verb assures us that God’s creative acts ceased after six days; from that point forward He sustains rather than creates ex nihilo (Colossians 1:17).
in all their vast array- The phrase celebrates abundance and variety.
•Psalm 33:6 rejoices, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.”
•Isaiah 40:26 calls us to “Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He brings out the host by number.”
- Highlights of this “array” include:
• Celestial bodies—sun, moon, stars (Genesis 1:14-19)
• Earthly realms—land, seas, vegetation (Genesis 1:9-13)
• Living beings—birds, fish, land animals, and humanity (Genesis 1:20-28)
- Every element, from galaxies to garden plants, already functioned in harmony, reflecting God’s wisdom (Proverbs 3:19-20).
summaryGenesis 2:1 presents the grand conclusion of creation: God brought the entire universe—the heavens, the earth, and every intricate detail—to a flawless finish in six literal days. Nothing lacked, nothing waited to evolve, and everything displayed the fullness of His power, order, and beauty.
II.
THE SABBATH.
(1)Were finished.--The first three verses of this chapter form part of the previous narrative, and contain its Divine purpose. For the great object of this hymn of creation is to give the sanction of the Creator to the Sabbath. Hence the ascribing of rest to Him who wearies not, and hence also the description of the several stages of creation as days. Labour is, no doubt, ennobled by creation being described as work done by God; but the higher purpose of this Scripture was that for which appeal is made to it in the Fourth Commandment, namely, to ennoble man's weekly rest. Among the Accadians, Mr. Sayce says (Chald. Genesis.p. 89), the Sabbath was observed--so ancient is its institution--but it was connected with the sun, moon, and five planets, whence even now the days of the week take their titles, though the names of Scandinavian deities have been substituted in this country for some of their old Latin appellations. Here every idolatrous tendency is guarded against, and the Sabbath is the institution of the One Almighty God.
The host of them.--The word translatedhostdoes not refer to military arrangement, but to numbers gathered in crowds. This crowded throng of heaven sometimes means the angels, as in1Kings 22:19; oftener the stars. Here it is the host both of heaven and earth, and signifies the multitudes of living creatures which people the land, and seas, and air.
Verse 1. -
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished. Literally, and finished were the heavens and the earth, the emphatic position being occupied by the verb. With the creation of man upon the sixth day the Divine Artificer's labors were brought to a termination, and his work to a completion. The two ideas of cessation and perfection are embraced in the import of
calais. Not simply had Elohim paused in his activity, but the Divine idea of his universe had been realized. The finished world was a cosmos, arranged, ornamented, and filled with organized, sentient, and rational beings, with plants, animals, and man; and now the resplendent fabric shone before him a magnificent success - "lo! very good." This appears to be by no means obscurely hinted at in the appended clause,
and all the host of them, which suggests the picture of a military armament arranged in marching order.
Tsebaam, derived from
tsaba,
to go forth as a soldier (Gesenius), to join together for service (Furst), and applied to the angels (
στρατία οὐράνιος,
Luke 2:13.
1 Kings 22:19;
2 Chronicles 18:18;
Psalm 148:2) and to the celestial bodies (
δύναμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν,
Matthew 24:29.
Isaiah 34:4;
Isaiah 40:26;
Daniel 8:10), here includes, by Zeugma, the material heavens and earth with the angelic and human races (cf.
Nehemiah 9:6). If the primary signification of the root be splendor, glory, like
tsavah, to some forth or shine out as a star (T. Lewis), then will the LXX. and the Vulgate be correct in translating
πᾶς ὁ κόσμος αὐτῶν and
omnis ornatus eorum, the conception being that when the heavens and the earth were completed they were a brilliant army.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thus the heavensהַשָּׁמַ֥יִם(haš·šā·ma·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, skyand the earthוְהָאָ֖רֶץ(wə·hā·’ā·reṣ)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landwere completedוַיְכֻלּ֛וּ(way·ḵul·lū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3615:To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spentin allוְכָל־(wə·ḵāl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everytheir vast array.צְבָאָֽם׃(ṣə·ḇā·’ām)Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6635:A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign
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OT Law: Genesis 2:1 The heavens and the earth were finished (Gen. Ge Gn) 
