S10E2. Genesis 1 - Let there Be Light (Genesis 1-9 Deep Dive, Part Two)

Welcome back to the Tyndale House podcast series on Genesis 1–9. 

In episode 1, we opened the series by exploring the full depth of Genesis 1:1 in which God created the heavens and the earth, and how it stands apart from ancient Near Eastern creation myths. In this second episode, we move deeper into the creation story as the silence of the primordial world is broken by a divine command: 'Let there be Light.' 

Episode 2 examines what it means for God to create by speaking, why Genesis presents light as appearing rather than being explicitly ‘created’, and how this moment shapes the chapter. 

Along the way, we continue comparing the biblical creation account with Mesopotamian creation myths, exploring how Genesis has a distinctive view of divine power, cosmic order, and the notion of ‘image’. In a world where only kings were considered images of gods, Genesis claims that all humans bear God’s image is nothing short of remarkable.

Perfect for listeners searching for:

Genesis commentary 
Bible study podcasts
Creation story vs ancient myths 
Old Testament background 
Hebrew word studies 

Hosted by Dr Peter Williams, Principal of Tyndale House, Cambridge, with Dr J Caleb Howard and Dr James Bejon who are both in the Old Testament research team at Tyndale House. 
Edited by Tyndale House 

00:00 Introduction

0:22 Day 1 and the creation of light

5:45 God’s delegation through as he creates

7:00 Day four

10:30 How Genesis 1 conceives of the world around it

17:52 Day six, Genesis 1:27

26:45 Day 7 – God rests

31:00 reflections