Some have maintained that v. 1 is only a statement in general terms of the contents of the chapter, a heading, stating no particular fact distinct from what follows.――――Others take it to be one fact in the series――the first step in the process of the creative work――the successive steps then following in due order. This latter construction I accept; and urge in its support, (1.) That this is the most obvious sense of the words. The word “And” (v. 2) “_And_ the earth was without form,” etc., must be taken as _continuing_ the subject――not as _commencing_ it. It should give us another and succeeding fact, and not be taken to _begin_ a detailed history. (2.) This is the natural order of the facts. First, matter must be brought into existence. Nothing can be done with it, nothing can be said about it, until it _is_. The first verse therefore is the natural beginning of the narrative――the first fact to be stated. The second verse gives naturally the next fact, viz. the condition of this matter immediately prior to the six days’ creative work upon it. Deferring the little he has to say upon the “heavens,” he calls our attention to the earth as being of chief interest to man, and makes this the main theme of the chapter.――――An observer would have seen the earth mantled in darkness, its atmosphere laden with murky vapors and dense mists; the surface (if indeed the waters below could be distinguished from the waters above) one wide waste of waters, all formless, vast, dismal; with nothing of order or beauty on which the eye could rest. Above and upon this shapeless mass the Spirit of God was hovering, or shall we say _incubating_, for such may be the figure involved in the Hebrew verb. Moreover it seems to be implied that this action of the creative Spirit was protracted. The Hebrew participle (used here) expresses continued action――was brooding over, incubating, this wild, waste, desolate mass.