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Is the Hebrew Word for "Earth" in Genesis 1:1 and 1:10 the Same, and Do They Mean the Same Thing?

The question of whether the Hebrew word erets (אֶרֶץ) used in Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:10 refers to the same concept or carries different meanings is pivotal in understanding the biblical creation narrative. This inquiry invites a deeper exploration of the linguistic, contextual, and theological implications surrounding the term erets, which appears over 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible. The meaning of erets can vary significantly depending on the context in which it is used, ranging from the entire planet, a specific region, or even the ground itself.



Understanding Erets in Genesis 1:1: The Entire Planet


Genesis 1:1 declares, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth [אֶרֶץ erets]." In this foundational verse, erets is contrasted with "the heavens," referring to the entire created universe. Here, erets is best understood as encompassing the whole earth, the totality of the planet, as distinct from the heavens, which includes everything beyond the earth—space, the celestial bodies, and the unseen spiritual realms.


The use of erets in Genesis 1:1 sets the stage for the entire creation narrative, affirming that God is the Creator of both the heavens and the earth, a phrase that encapsulates the totality of creation. This broad usage aligns with other biblical passages where erets refers to the entirety of the earth. For example, in Isaiah 66:1, Jehovah declares, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth [erets] is my footstool." This verse underscores the scope of erets as encompassing the entire world in contrast to the heavens.



Erets in Genesis 1:10: The Dry Land


In contrast to Genesis 1:1, the usage of erets in Genesis 1:10 is more specific. Genesis 1:9-10 reads, "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land Earth [erets], and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good."


Here, erets is used to refer specifically to the "dry land" that emerged as the waters were gathered together. This more restricted use of erets highlights the landmass, as opposed to the entire planet. The contrast in this verse is not between the earth and the heavens, as in Genesis 1:1, but between the dry land (erets) and the seas (yamim). This shows how erets can refer to a specific portion of the planet—namely, the land as opposed to the water.

This distinction is critical in understanding the varying meanings of erets in the biblical text. While erets in Genesis 1:1 refers to the entire earth as part of the whole created order, in Genesis 1:10, it narrows down to the dry land that emerges from the waters, emphasizing the separateness and distinctness of the land from the seas.



The Broader Semantic Range of Erets


The Hebrew word erets has a broad semantic range that includes meanings such as "earth," "land," "ground," "country," and "territory." The context of each passage determines its specific meaning. In Genesis 1:1, erets clearly refers to the entire planet within the cosmic context of creation. However, in Genesis 1:10, erets is localized to the dry land that appears as distinct from the seas.


Other examples in the Hebrew Bible illustrate the flexibility of erets:


  • In Genesis 12:1, when God calls Abram, He says, "Go from your country [erets] and your kindred and your father's house to the land [erets] that I will show you." Here, erets refers to a specific region, the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abram.

  • In Genesis 2:7, the text states, "Then Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground [erets] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Here, erets is used to describe the ground from which humanity was formed, highlighting its more literal, physical sense as the soil or earth itself.

  • In Genesis 18:25, Abraham refers to God as "the Judge of all the earth [erets]." In this case, erets signifies all the people of the earth, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over all humanity.


These examples demonstrate that erets is a versatile term that can refer to the entire planet, specific lands or regions, the ground itself, or even the people inhabiting the earth. The meaning of erets in any given passage is determined by its immediate context.



Interpreting Erets in the Context of Genesis


The use of erets in Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:10 highlights the need for careful interpretation. In Genesis 1:1, erets is part of a merism—a figure of speech in which two contrasting parts are used to express a whole—referring to the totality of creation ("the heavens and the earth"). This phrase encapsulates everything that exists, both the visible and the invisible, the cosmic and the terrestrial.


In contrast, Genesis 1:10 narrows the focus to the emergence of dry land from the waters, a specific event in the creation narrative. Here, erets is not the whole planet but the dry land that forms the habitable part of the earth, where plants, animals, and ultimately humans will live. This usage reflects the gradual ordering of creation, where God systematically separates and organizes the chaotic elements into a structured, life-sustaining environment.


The dual use of erets in these verses illustrates the richness of the Hebrew language, where the same word can convey different nuances depending on the context. It also underscores the importance of understanding the context in which a word is used to grasp its full meaning.



Theological Implications of the Term Erets


The theological significance of the term erets in these passages cannot be overstated. In Genesis 1:1, the use of erets affirms that God is the Creator of the entire world, emphasizing His sovereignty over all creation. This sets the stage for the rest of the biblical narrative, where God’s authority over the earth and its inhabitants is a central theme.


In Genesis 1:10, the focus on the dry land (erets) highlights God’s power in shaping the earth into a habitable environment. This passage also foreshadows humanity’s relationship with the land, which will be a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The land is where humans will live, cultivate crops, build cities, and ultimately, where they will experience the blessings or judgments of God based on their obedience or disobedience.


Moreover, the varying meanings of erets reflect the complexity and depth of God’s creation. Just as the earth is multifaceted—comprising land, seas, and everything in between—so too is the language used to describe it. This richness invites readers to explore the text more deeply, recognizing that the biblical narrative operates on multiple levels, from the cosmic to the personal.


By examining the use of erets in Genesis 1:1 and 1:10, we gain a deeper understanding of how this term functions within the creation narrative. While erets in Genesis 1:1 refers to the entire planet, in Genesis 1:10, it refers specifically to the dry land that emerges from the waters. This distinction highlights the versatility of the Hebrew language and the importance of context in interpreting Scripture.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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