Genesis 1:2

Berean Standard Bible
Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
 
King James Bible
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
 
NET Bible
Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.
 
Hebrew Text:

וְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי תְהוֹם, וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם

 
Transliteration:
V'ha'aretz hayetah tohu vavohu, v'choshech al p'nei t'hom, v'ruach Elohim m'rachefet al p'nei hamayim
 
*******************
 
Study Bible:
 
Now the earth was formless and void
The Hebrew words used here are "tohu" and "bohu," which convey a sense of chaos and emptiness. "Tohu" can mean formlessness, confusion, or unreality, while "bohu" suggests emptiness or void. This phrase sets the stage for God's creative work, highlighting the initial state of the earth as unshaped and uninhabited. In a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the power and sovereignty of God, who brings order and purpose out of chaos. Theologically, it reflects the idea that without God's intervention, creation remains incomplete and purposeless.
 
and darkness was over the surface of the deep
The "darkness" here symbolizes the absence of light and order, a common motif in Scripture representing ignorance or evil. The "deep" (Hebrew "tehom") refers to the primordial waters, a concept found in ancient Near Eastern creation myths, where chaotic waters are subdued by a deity. In the biblical narrative, however, God is not in conflict with these waters; instead, He exercises sovereign control over them. This phrase emphasizes God's authority over all creation, even the most chaotic and untamed elements.
 
And the Spirit of God was hovering
The "Spirit of God" (Hebrew "Ruach Elohim") is a powerful image of divine presence and activity. The word "ruach" can mean spirit, wind, or breath, indicating a dynamic and life-giving force. The verb "hovering" (Hebrew "rachaph") suggests a gentle, nurturing movement, like a bird caring for its young. This imagery conveys the idea of God's intimate involvement in creation, preparing to bring life and order. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this foreshadows the Holy Spirit's role in the new creation through Christ.
 
over the surface of the waters
The "waters" here are the same chaotic "deep" mentioned earlier. The Spirit's presence over the waters signifies God's readiness to transform chaos into cosmos, disorder into order. In the ancient world, water often symbolized chaos and danger, but here it is under God's control, awaiting His creative command. This phrase reassures believers of God's omnipotence and His ability to bring peace and order to the chaos of our lives. It also prefigures the waters of baptism, where the Spirit brings new life and order to the believer.
 
***************
 
Commentary:
 
Without form, and void: The Hebrew words used here are "tohu" and "bohu", which can be translated as "formless" and "empty" or "void". This suggests that before God began the acts of creation described in the rest of Genesis 1, the earth was in a state of chaos or unformed matter. This state contrasts with the order and purpose that God will bring into being through His creative acts.
 
Darkness was upon the face of the deep: The "deep" (Hebrew: "tehom") refers to the primeval ocean, an abyss of water covering the earth. "Darkness" indicates that there was no light yet; light would be created in the next verse (Genesis 1:3). This imagery conveys the primordial state of the universe before light, symbolizing perhaps both physical and metaphorical darkness.
 
The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters: The phrase "Spirit of God" is translated from Hebrew "ruach Elohim". "Ruach" can mean wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it implies the presence or active involvement of God, bringing movement or life to the waters. This motion could be seen as the beginning of God's creative work, where His Spirit hovers or moves over the waters, preparing for the acts of creation to follow. This is one of the earliest indications of the Holy Spirit in the biblical text, suggesting God's immanence and activity in the world from the very beginning.
 
Theologically, this verse sets the stage for the narrative of creation by establishing an initial state of the world that is transformed by divine action. It also highlights themes of:
 
Divine sovereignty over chaos.
 
The transition from disorder to order.
 
The active presence of God in creation, particularly through His Spirit.
 
Different theological perspectives might interpret these details with nuanced differences, but the core message often revolves around God's initial work of bringing light and order out of darkness and chaos.