Focal Text: Genesis 1:1

KJV 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

WEB 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

In the beginning – a period of remote and unknown antiquity, hid in the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used in Proverbs 8:22-23

KJV 22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

WEB 22 “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

God – the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in Hebrew, "Strong," "Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power; and by its use here in the plural form, is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, viz., that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead – Father, Son, and Spirit, who were engaged in the creative work.

Proverbs 8:27

KJV 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

WEB 27 When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

John 1:3

KJV 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

WEB 3 All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:10

KJV 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

WEB 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.

Ephesians 3:9

KJV 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

WEB 9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 1:2

KJV 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

WEB 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.

Job 26:13

KJV 13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

WEB 13 By his Spirit the heavens are garnished. His hand has pierced the swift serpent.

created – not formed from any pre-existing materials, but made out of nothing. the heaven and the earth-the universe. This first verse is a general introduction to the inspired volume, declaring the great and important truth that all things had a beginning; that nothing throughout the wide extent of nature existed from eternity, originated by chance, or from the skill of any inferior agent; but that the whole universe was produced by the creative power of God.

Acts 17:24

KJV 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

WEB 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands.

Romans 11:36

KJV 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

WEB 36 For of him, and through him, and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.

After this preface, the narrative is confined to the earth.