Genesis 1:5 - And God Called the Light Day
Genesis 1:5 — And God Called the Light Day
“And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” — Genesis 1:5 (KJV)
Genesis 1:5 brings the first day of creation to its completion. In the previous verses, God spoke light into existence and divided the light from the darkness. Now God does something equally significant: He names them and establishes their appointed times.
The verse reveals God's authority over light, darkness, time, order, and the boundaries of creation.
“And God Called the Light Day”
The Hebrew word translated “called” is קָרָא — qārāʾ, meaning to call, proclaim, name, or designate.
In Scripture, naming can express authority and identification. God does not ask creation what it wishes to be called. The Creator gives creation its identity and purpose.
God calls the light:
Day — יוֹם (yom)
Here, yom identifies the period associated with light.
This establishes an important biblical principle:
Creation receives its definition from its Creator.
God determines what the light is called, what the darkness is called, and the place each will occupy within His created order.
“And the Darkness He Called Night”
The Hebrew word translated “night” is לַיְלָה — laylah.
God calls the darkness Night.
Notice carefully that God does not say that darkness is more powerful than light, nor does He present light and darkness as two competing gods or forces.
Both remain under God's sovereign authority.
The Psalmist later declares:
“The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” — Psalm 139:12
Night is not beyond God's dominion.
The One who commands the light also governs the darkness.
God Establishes Order
Genesis 1:3–5 reveals a beautiful progression:
God speaks → Light appears → God sees → God separates → God names → God establishes time.
Nothing is random.
God is transforming the condition described in Genesis 1:2 into an ordered creation.
“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep...” — Genesis 1:2
By Genesis 1:5, distinction and order have begun to appear.
There is now:
Light and darkness.
Day and night.
Evening and morning.
The first day.
God is establishing boundaries within His creation.
“And the Evening and the Morning”
This statement introduces the biblical rhythm of the creation days:
“And the evening and the morning were the first day.”
The Hebrew words are:
Evening — עֶרֶב (ʿerev)
Morning — בֹּקֶר (boqer)
Together, evening and morning mark the progression of the first creation day.
This pattern continues throughout Genesis 1:
“And the evening and the morning were the second day.” — Genesis 1:8
“And the evening and the morning were the third day.” — Genesis 1:13
The repeated expression gives structure to the creation account.
A Day Before the Sun
Genesis 1:5 presents something especially important.
The first day exists before the sun is appointed as the great light governing the day in Genesis 1:14–18.
The sun, moon, and stars are introduced on the fourth day.
Therefore, Genesis does not present the sun as the source of God's authority over time.
God establishes day and night before the heavenly luminaries are appointed to govern their signs, seasons, days, and years.
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night...” — Genesis 1:14
The sun serves God's created order.
God does not serve the sun.
This distinction would become especially significant in a world where many ancient peoples worshipped the sun, moon, and stars.
Genesis declares from its opening chapter that the heavenly bodies are created things under the authority of the Creator.
God Is Lord Over Time
Genesis 1:5 also introduces something that will govern human existence throughout Scripture:
time.
There is evening.
There is morning.
There is a first day.
Time itself operates within the order established by God.
The Psalmist declares:
“My times are in thy hand...” — Psalm 31:15
Moses prayed:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12
Human beings live within days they did not create.
Every morning reminds us that time is a gift entrusted to us by God.
Spiritual Application: God Gives Identity
There is also a principle worth observing in God's act of naming.
God called the light Day.
God called the darkness Night.
The Creator had authority to identify what He created.
Throughout Scripture, God sometimes demonstrates His authority and purpose by giving people new names.
Abram becomes Abraham.
Sarai becomes Sarah.
Jacob becomes Israel.
Simon is called Peter.
While Genesis 1:5 is specifically describing God's naming of Day and Night, it introduces a truth that appears throughout Scripture:
God has the authority to define what belongs to Him.
Our identity should therefore ultimately be received from God rather than constructed from the changing opinions of the world.
Observation Questions
What did God call the light?
What did God call the darkness?
What two periods are mentioned at the end of Genesis 1:5?
Which day of creation was completed?
Had the sun, moon, and stars been created or appointed yet?
What repeated pattern begins with the words “the evening and the morning”?
Reflection Questions
What does God's naming of Day and Night reveal about His authority over creation?
What does Genesis 1:5 teach us about God's relationship to time?
Why is it significant that the first day is established before the sun is appointed on the fourth day?
Are you allowing God and His Word to define your identity, purpose, and priorities?
How are you using the days God has entrusted to you?
What areas of your life need greater order, boundaries, or purpose under God's direction?
Personal Application
Genesis 1:5 reminds us that our days belong to God.
Before we ever had schedules, calendars, appointments, or plans, God established the rhythm of evening and morning.
Ask yourself:
How am I using the time God has given me?
Does my daily life reflect God's priorities?
Am I allowing God's Word to establish the boundaries of my life?
Our response should echo the prayer of Moses:
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12
Key Truth
Genesis 1:5 reveals God as Lord over light, darkness, identity, order, and time. He named the light Day and the darkness Night, establishing the rhythm of evening and morning. The first day did not define God—God defined the first day.
Scripture to Remember
“The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.” — Psalm 74:16