What Did God Create on the Second Day?
The second day of creation continues the orderly shaping of the universe described in Genesis. While the first day introduced light, time, and the separation of day from night, the second day focuses on creating structure in the cosmos by dividing the waters and forming the sky (also called the “firmament”).
1. Setting the Scene After the First Day
At the end of the first day, the Earth was still in an unformed state:
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Darkness had been separated from light
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But the earth remained covered in a vast, watery deep
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No land, sky, or atmosphere yet existed
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Everything was still a chaotic mixture of water
Before life could exist, this enormous watery mass needed to be organized. This is the task of the second day.
2. God’s Command: “Let there be a firmament”
Genesis 1:6 records the beginning of the second day:
“And God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’”
Here, God introduces a new structure into the unorganized world: the firmament.
3. What Is the “Firmament”?
The Hebrew word for firmament is “raqia”, which means:
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A spread-out expanse,
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Something stretched or extended,
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Like a vast dome or vault.
Different translations call it:
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Sky
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Heavens
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Vault
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Expanse
In simple terms, God created the atmosphere—the space above us that separates earthly waters from the waters above.
4. The Great Separation: Waters Above and Waters Below
God’s action on the second day divides the chaotic waters into two regions:
1. Waters Below
These are the waters on the earth—oceans, seas, rivers, and the watery surface that still covers the earth on this day.
2. Waters Above
These refer to:
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The moisture in the atmosphere
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Clouds
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The upper waters held above the sky
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The cosmic waters symbolizing the heavens
In ancient Hebrew worldview, this separation was a big step in creating order.
5. Naming the Expanse: “Heaven”
After creating the firmament, God gives it a name:
“And God called the firmament Heaven.” (Genesis 1:8)
Here, “Heaven” refers specifically to the sky—the visible expanse above the earth where:
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Clouds gather
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Birds will later fly
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Weather occurs
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Sun, moon, and stars will be set on the fourth day
6. The Second Day’s Unique Feature: No “It Was Good”
Interestingly, the second day is the only day of the creation week where God does not say, “And God saw that it was good.”
Many scholars suggest:
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The separation of waters was not yet complete until the third day (when dry land appears).
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The second day’s work is foundational, preparing for the next step.
However, this does not imply anything negative—only that the process was ongoing.
7. Completion of the Second Day
The day ends with the familiar phrase:
“And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.”
This indicates the completion of another stage in the orderly creation process.
Summary: What Did God Create on the Second Day?
✔ Created the firmament (the expanse/sky)
✔ Separated the waters above from the waters below
✔ Formed the atmosphere around the earth
✔ Named the expanse “Heaven” (meaning sky)
✔ Prepared the world for dry land and vegetation on Day 3
Conclusion
The second day of creation plays a crucial role in the unfolding Genesis narrative. By creating the sky and dividing the waters, God brings structure to the chaotic world. This step establishes the atmosphere, weather systems, and the foundational layers of the universe. It is a day of organization, separation, and preparation, setting the stage for the land, seas, and life that will emerge next.