Genesis 1:7

And God made the firmament; and diuided the waters, which were vnder the firmament, from the waters, which were aboue the firmament: and it was so.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And God made the arch for a division between the waters which were under the arch and those which were over it: and it was so.
- Basic English Bible

And God made the expanse, and divided between the waters that are under the expanse and the waters that are above the expanse; and it was so.
- Darby Bible

And God made the firmament; and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
- Webster's Bible

God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.
- World English Bible

And God maketh the expanse, and it separateth between the waters which [are] under the expanse, and the waters which [are] above the expanse: and it is so.
- Youngs Literal Bible

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Genesis 1:7

1:6-8 We have here an account of the second day's work, the creation of the firmament. In which observe, 1. The command of God; Let there be a firmament - An expansion; so the Hebrew word signifies, like a sheet spread, or a curtain drawn out. This includes all that is visible above the earth, between it and the third heavens, the air, its higher, middle, and lower region, the celestial globe, and all the orbs of light above; it reaches as high as the place where the stars are fixed, for that is called here the firmament of heaven, #Ge 1:14|,15, and as low as the place where the birds fly for that also is called the firmament of heaven, #Ge 1:20|. 2. The creation of it: and God made the firmament. 3. The design of it; to divide the waters from the waters - That is, to distinguish between the waters that are wrapt up in the clouds, and those that cover the sea; the waters in the air, and those in the earth. 4. The naming it; He called the firmament Heaven - 'Tis the visible heaven, the pavement of the holy city. The height of the heavens should mind us of God's supremacy, and the infinite distance that is between us and him; the brightness of the heavens, and their purity, should mind us of his majesty, and perfect holiness; the vastness of the heavens, and their encompassing the earth, and influence upon it, should mind us of his immensity and universal providence.

1:9-13 The third day's work is related in these verses; the forming the sea and the dry land, and making the earth fruitful. Hitherto the power of the Creator had been employed about the upper part of the visible world; now he descends to this lower world, designed for the children of men, both for their habitation, and their maintenance. And here we have an account of the fitting of it for both; the building of their house, and the spreading of their table. Observe, 1. How the earth was prepared to be a habitation for man by the gathering of the waters together, and making the dry land appear. Thus, instead of that confusion which was, when earth and water were mixed in one great mass; now there is order, by such a separation as rendered them both useful. (1.) The waters which covered the earth were ordered to retire, and to gather into one place, viz. those hollows which were fitted for their reception. The waters thus lodged in their proper place, he called Seas; for though they are many, in distant regions, yet either above ground or under ground, they have communication with each other, and so they are one, and the common receptacle of waters, into which all the rivers run. (2.) The dry land was made to appear, and emerge out of the waters, and was called Earth. Observe, 2. How the earth was furnished for the support of man, #Ge 1:11|,12. Present provision was made, by the immediate products of the earth, which, in obedience to God's command, was no sooner made but it became fruitful. Provision was likewise made for time to come, by the perpetuating of the several species of vegetables, every one having its seed in itself after its kind, that during the continuance of man upon the earth, food might be fetched out of the earth, for his use and benefit.