וַתְּהִ֨יplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigהָיָה

hebrew

The word הָיָה means “to exist” or “to be” or “to become” or “to come into being” and occurs 3561 times in the Old Testament.

This is the foundational verb of existence, identity, becoming and occurrence.

* It is used in the creation narrative of Genesis 1, represented by the English words Genesis 1:3Exodus 3:12Ruth 1:1Isaiah 2:2 רֵאשִׁ֤יתplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigרֵאשִׁית

hebrew

Meanings:

* Beginning * Finest (or choice) * First (first fruits) * Principal thing

Embraces the idea of beginnings, first part, chief value and first-fruits. The context determines the specific meaning.

Derived from רֹאשׁ

Feminine, noun מַמְלַכְתּוֹ֙ בָּבֶ֔ל וְאֶ֖רֶךְ וְאַכַּ֣ד וְכַלְנֵ֑ה בְּאֶ֖רֶץplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigאֶרֶץ

hebrew

Meaning:

* Earth (e.g. Genesis 1:1) or world * Land * Countries or country

The word אֶרֶץ can designate the whole of planet earth, or the inhabitable world or the national territory or ground.

When coupled with heavens (שָׁמַיִם), the phrase indicates the entire created order.Genesis 12:1 שִׁנְעָֽר