Does “Day” Mean a 24-Hour Period or Ages?
INTERPRETIVE QUESTIONS
Does “day” mean a 24-hour period or ages?
Neither here nor in verses 14-18 is an original creative act implied. A different word is used. The sense is, made to appear; made visible. The sun and moon were created "in the beginning." The "light" of course came from the sun, but the vapor diffused the light. Later the sun appeared in an unclouded sky. Genesis 1:5 - And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. The word "day" is used in Scripture in three ways:
(1) That part of the solar day of twenty-four hours which is light (Genesis 1:5, Genesis 1:14, John 9:4, 11:4).
(2) Such a day, set apart for some distinctive purpose, as, "day of atonement" (Leviticus 23:27); "day of judgment" Matthew 10:15.
(3) A period of time, long or short, during which certain revealed purposes of God are to be accomplished, as "day of the Lord."
The use of "evening" and "morning" may be held to limit "day" to the solar day; but the frequent parabolic use of natural phenomena may warrant the conclusion that each creative "day" was a period of time marked off by a beginning and ending. (Scofield’s Reference Notes)
The Greek aion in the Septuagint and New Testament corresponds to the Hebrew olam of the Old Testament. Both words usually depend on a preposition (for example, ad olam and eis ton aionon are rendered "forever"). In some contexts olam and aion are translated "age" ("world" in the av); the Greek chronoi may also mean "ages." The Bible may refer to past ages in order to exalt God's knowledge as Creator in comparison with human ignorance. In the New Testament the hidden wisdom of God is repeatedly connected with the gospel, a mystery that he has chosen to reveal after long ages. According to 1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 9:26, and 1pe 1:20, the present era is the end of the ages. Even while the church anticipates the future consummation, it lives
Does “day” mean a 24-hour period or ages?
Neither here nor in verses 14-18 is an original creative act implied. A different word is used. The sense is, made to appear; made visible. The sun and moon were created "in the beginning." The "light" of course came from the sun, but the vapor diffused the light. Later the sun appeared in an unclouded sky. Genesis 1:5 - And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. The word "day" is used in Scripture in three ways:
(1) That part of the solar day of twenty-four hours which is light (Genesis 1:5, Genesis 1:14, John 9:4, 11:4).
(2) Such a day, set apart for some distinctive purpose, as, "day of atonement" (Leviticus 23:27); "day of judgment" Matthew 10:15.
(3) A period of time, long or short, during which certain revealed purposes of God are to be accomplished, as "day of the Lord."
The use of "evening" and "morning" may be held to limit "day" to the solar day; but the frequent parabolic use of natural phenomena may warrant the conclusion that each creative "day" was a period of time marked off by a beginning and ending. (Scofield’s Reference Notes)
The Greek aion in the Septuagint and New Testament corresponds to the Hebrew olam of the Old Testament. Both words usually depend on a preposition (for example, ad olam and eis ton aionon are rendered "forever"). In some contexts olam and aion are translated "age" ("world" in the av); the Greek chronoi may also mean "ages." The Bible may refer to past ages in order to exalt God's knowledge as Creator in comparison with human ignorance. In the New Testament the hidden wisdom of God is repeatedly connected with the gospel, a mystery that he has chosen to reveal after long ages. According to 1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 9:26, and 1pe 1:20, the present era is the end of the ages. Even while the church anticipates the future consummation, it lives