MCo:Literal and Figurative Creation in the Bible
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There are many references to creation in the Bible, with subtle variations of meaning. Sometimes these are obviously intended to be understood literally; sometimes obviously figurative; sometimes it is harder to decide.
The Bible speaks frequently of a new creation.
Here is a selection of "creation" passages. Please annotate them with any comments you would like to add.
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. Deuteronomy 32:18
Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. ... By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. Job 26:5, 13
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psalm 90:2
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? Psalm 94:9
The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:5
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. Psalm 102:18
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. Psalm 104:30
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. Psalm 148:5
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. Proverbs 26:10
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Isaiah 40:26
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. Isaiah 41:20
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: ... Isaiah 42:5
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. ... Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. ... Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. ... This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:1, 7, 19, 21
Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. ... Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. ... Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself ... Isaiah 44:2, 21, 24
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. ... I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. ... For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. Isaiah 45:8, 12, 18
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. Isaiah 49:5
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. ... For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. Isaiah 65:17; 66:22
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you ... Galatians 4:19
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ... 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: ... And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 2:10; 3:9; 4:24
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: ... Colossians 3:10
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: ... Hebrews 8:8 citing Jeremiah 31:31
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:5
