Introduction
In the article “Were the Days of Creation Literal or Long Ages?“ I will explore the question that generates debate among scientists and religious people: Do the days mentioned in Genesis represent literal periods of 24 hours or long ages? I will examine what the Bible says on the subject, looking at key passages such as the descriptions of the days of creation and the use of the Hebrew word “yom“. I will also discuss the relationship between the biblical account and the fourth commandment, as well as address the impact of scientific theories on the interpretation of these days. Throughout this text, we will seek to understand what is truly being conveyed in the Scriptures.
Different Interpretations
Some religious groups believe that our planet was created over long ages. These groups believe that God created it, but not necessarily in just seven days. But what does the Bible tell us about this question? Were the Days of Creation Literal or Long Ages?
Psalms 90:4 – “For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night“
2 Peter 3:8 – “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day“
The Description of the Days of Creation
Let us read the description at the end of each day of creation in Genesis:
Genesis 1:5 – “And God called the light Day; and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day“
Genesis 1:8 – “And God called the expanse Heaven: and there was evening and there was morning, the second day“
Genesis 1:13 – “And there was evening and there was morning, the third day“
Genesis 1:19 – “And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day“
Genesis 1:23 – “And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day“
Genesis 1:31 – “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.“
Genesis 2:1-3 – “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made“
Note that on each day, the expression “evening and morning” is used, a clear reference to the duration of each day created, that is, a period of “evening” and another period of “morning“. For that reason alone, it would be enough to clarify this matter, as it is clear that “evening and morning” refer to the length of a literal day, not to long ages. The creation account shows us that the days of creation were literal.
The Word in Hebrew “Yom“
Furthermore, we find the expressions “first day“, “second day“, “third day“, etc. In each of these texts, the word “day” used in Hebrew is the word “yom“, which, whenever it is followed by a numeral, takes on a literal meaning, as we can confirm in the Hebrew texts:
Genesis 1:5 – “ה ויקרא אלהים לאור יום ולחשך קרא לילה ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום אחד“
Genesis 1:8 – “ח ויקרא אלהים לרקיע שמים ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום שני“
Genesis 1:13 – “יג ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום שלישי“
Genesis 1:19 – “יט ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום רביעי“
Genesis 1:23 – “כג ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום חמישי“
Genesis 1:31 – “לא וירא אלהים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאד ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום הששי“
Genesis 2:3 – “ג ויברך אלהים את יום השביעי ויקדש אתו כי בו שבת מכל מלאכתו אשר ברא אלהים לעשות“
יום = day.
אחד = 1.
שני = 2.
שלישי = 3.
רביעי = 4.
חמישי = 5.
הששי = 6.
השביעי = 7.
The book of Genesis is clear about the time of the creation of our planet. It took God only 7 days to create it, not long ages as some argue. The idea that creation took long ages began to be reinforced after the use of Carbon-14, a method by which scientists date the existence of fossils, plants, rocks, and other objects. The problem is that this method is not always accurate, and the results of the analysis can change depending on other factors present in the object being analyzed, which can lead to periods that are inconsistent with reality.
Science is very important for our lives and our development as human beings. Scientific studies are extremely valuable, and the methods used to analyze and conclude results are highly effective! However, we must always keep in mind that scientific knowledge is progressive and not absolute! Many things that were once accepted as truths had to be rethought as new factors were discovered over time.
The Period of Creation in the Fourth Commandment of God’s Law
On the question of whether the days of creation were literal or long ages, it is important to consider the fourth commandment of God’s Law, which is written:
Exodus 20:8-11 – “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy“
Note that the 4th commandment of God’s Law orders human beings to rest and keep the seventh day of the week holy. On this day, God’s people must not do any work. The explanation of this commandment is presented at the end, where it reminds us that the Lord God created the world in 6 days, and on the seventh day He rested and blessed it!
The 4th commandment clarifies the issue at hand. God Himself made it clear in His Law that the world was created in just 6 days, and on the seventh day He rested, blessed, and sanctified that day. If that had not been the case, keeping the Sabbath would be inconsistent, for how could we observe a day of rest when, in reality, it represents a period of long ages (as some religious groups claim)?
Coherence of the Fourth Commandment
Do you realize that by observing the Sabbath as the Lord commands, we are being consistent with the biblical account of creation, and consequently, we are being kept from erroneous beliefs about the period of creation in Genesis?
The 4th commandment of God’s Law is strong proof that creation occurred in a few days, and not in long ages!.
Furthermore, the psalmist makes it clear that the Lord’s creation was done quickly. Through His Word, He spoke, and everything came into existence:
Psalms 33:6,9 – “By his word the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. … For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood fast“
Conclusion: Were the Days of Creation Literal or Long Ages?
Therefore, we can conclude that the Bible does not provide grounds for the belief in long ages for our planet, but rather that it was created in just 7 days. The days of creation were literal, not long ages as many try to defend.
May God bless us!
