What about the gap theory?

Q: Why do some people say that there is a gap between the first two verses of Genesis 1?

A: The idea of adding a break between the first two verses of Genesis 1 is called the gap theory, and there are many different versions of this theory. But they all, in some way, try to fit the supposed billions of years of earth’s history between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.

But the Hebrew grammar does not allow for such a gap.

Genesis 1:2 begins: “And the earth … .” The use of the English word “and” there is because of what’s called an explanatory use of a waw disjunctive in Hebrew, when it is connected to a noun like “earth.” In Hebrew grammar, this means this verse is a comment on the previous verse. It is not a part of the sequence of the narrative.

Now in verse 1:3, we read “And God said … .”

When the waw is connected to a verb like “said,” this is called a waw consecutive. This means this is part of the sequence of the narrative.

Thus, Genesis 1:1 actually connects directly to verse 1:3—so verse 1:2, where there is an alleged gap, is a comment or description of the earth in verse 1:1.

The bottom line is that the original Hebrew grammar does not allow for a gap between the first two verses.

For more information on the gap theory, see From the beginning of the creation.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.