What does the Hebrew word bara mean in Genesis 1:1?
In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew word bara means "called out of nothing." It indicates God did not start with existing material and rearrange it; He started with absolutely nothing but Himself. Out of that nothingness, He called the universe into being, emphasizing creation from no preexisting substance.
Les explains that the Hebrew word bara in Genesis 1:1 means called out of nothing. He stresses that God did not start with something and then somehow rearrange it; rather, He started with absolutely nothing but Himself. Out of that nothingness, God called the universe into being. Les notes that the triune Godhead created, and later in the New Testament he will show which person of the Godhead actually spoke the Word and called it into being. In this first verse of Genesis, before Israel or Abraham are hinted at, God is already giving a clue that throughout His dealings with the human race He will constantly divide things between heaven and earth.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.