Genesis and the Creation of the World: Where Did Water Come From?

 

 

The Genesis account, contained in the first chapters of the Bible, is one of the most fascinating and debated texts on the origin of the universe. Over the centuries, its narrative has inspired deep reflections, symbolic interpretations, and philosophical questions. One of the most intriguing curiosities is the fact that water seems to pre-exist creation itself , a detail that invites speculation about its origin and purpose.

Creation according to Genesis

In Genesis 1:1-2 we read:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

From the very first moment of the narrative, it is mentioned that the waters were already there. We are not told that God explicitly created them, as is the case with light, the firmament, dry land, or living beings. Instead of creating the water, God organizes it and separates it:

1. Initial Separation: In Genesis 1:6-7, God commands that there be a firmament to separate the waters above (heavens) from the waters below (seas).
2. Formation of dry land: In Genesis 1:9, God gathers the waters under the heavens into one place, and causes dry land to appear.

Reflection: Why did water preexist?

This detail has given rise to various theories:

• Water as a symbol of the primordial: In various ancient cultures, such as the Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Greek, water represents the initial chaos, the formless and lifeless, which must be organized by a higher power. In this sense, Genesis seems to reflect a common idea: God did not create water, but he did give it order and purpose.

• Water as a source of eternal life: In the Bible and in Gnostic texts, water appears repeatedly as a symbol of purification, life, and even eternity. Its pre-existing presence could symbolize that water is a reflection of divine power, always present and essential for creation.

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Gnostic Perspectives on Water

In some Gnostic texts, water plays an important and symbolic role. For example, in the Gospel of Truth from the Nag Hammadi Library, water appears as a metaphor for knowledge that soothes the soul, while in the Apocryphon of John a primordial watery abyss is mentioned.

• Water as "Sophia": In some Gnostic currents, water is associated with Sophia, divine wisdom, which participates in the creation of the material world. Sophia, acting outside the pleroma (the divine totality), creates an initial chaos that must be ordered. Water, in this context, can be interpreted as its manifestation in the physical world.

• The connection with baptism: Gnostics viewed baptism as a connection to spiritual knowledge and purification. This suggests that water has a heavenly origin, prior to the physical world.

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What can we deduce from this?

The absence of a “let there be water” in the Genesis account could be hinting at a unique status for water in creation. Unlike light or living beings, water does not need to be created because it is already part of the divine mystery. Some possible conclusions:

1. Water as a manifestation of God's Spirit: By moving "upon the face of the waters," God's Spirit may be breathing life and order into something that already contains a reflection of the divine.

2. Water as a bridge between the spiritual and the material: In many traditions, water symbolizes the transition between chaos (disorder) and cosmos (order). This liminal role suggests that water has a special connection to creation and life itself.

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Final Thoughts

The Genesis account is more than a narrative about creation; it is an invitation to reflect on the mysteries of the universe. The preexistence of water challenges us to consider its deeper meaning: is it a symbol of God’s eternal power? A connection to spiritual dimensions beyond the physical? The Gnostic texts, with their symbolic richness, add a perspective that complements and enriches this reflection.

As humans, water remains essential to our lives. Perhaps, by contemplating its source, we can appreciate not only its physical value, but also its power as a reminder of the divine that surrounds us.

References:

• The Bible, Genesis 1.
• The Apocryphon of John (Nag Hammadi Library).
• The Gospel of Truth .