Hebrew Torah - Transliterated & Translated - Verse by Verse & with Commentary
Linear translation - Every Hebrew & Hebrew Tranliterated line has a precise, idiomatically correct, English translation beside it.
(*click the dotted underlined words for commentary.)
[Parashat Bereishit 1:1 to 6:8]
Bereishit Chapter 1
א בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ
1. IN THE BEGINNING G-d created the heaven and the earth.
ב וְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל-פְּנֵי תְהוֹם וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל-פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם
Veha'aretz hayetah tohu vavohu vechoshech al-penei tehom veruach Elokim merachefet al-penei hamayim.
2. The earth was chaos and void, with darkness on the face of the deep, and the spirit of G-d fluttering on the face of the water.
ג וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר וַיְהִי-אוֹר
3. G-d said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
ד וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאוֹר כִּי-טוֹב וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ
4. G-d saw the light that it was good, and G-d divided between the light and between the darkness.
ה וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָאוֹר יוֹם, וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ קָרָא לָיְלָה וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר יוֹם אֶחָד
Vayikra Elokim la-or yom velachoshevh kara lailah vayehi-erev vayehi-voker yom echad.
5. G-d called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. It was evening, and it was morning, one day.
ו וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם וִיהִי מַבְדִּיל בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם
Vayomer Elokim yehi rakia betoch hamayim vihi mavdil bein mayim lamayim.
6. G-d said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide between water and water."
ז וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָרָקִיעַ וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ וַיְהִי-כֵן
Vaya'as Elokim et-harakia vayavdel bein hamayim asher mitachat larakia uvein hamayim asher me'al larakia vayehi-chen.
7. G-d made the firmament, and He divided between the waters that are below the firmament, and between the waters that are above the firmament, and it was so.
ח וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ שָׁמָיִם וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר יוֹם שֵׁנִי
Vayikra Elokim la-rakia shamayim vayehi-erev vayehi-voker yom sheni.
8. G-d called the firmament Heaven. It was evening, and it was morning, the second day.
ט וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶל-מָקוֹם אֶחָד וְתֵרָאֶה הַיַּבָּשָׁה וַיְהִי-כֵן
Vayomer Elokim yikavu hamayim mitachat hashamayim el-makom echad vetera'eh hayabashah vayehi chen.
9. G-d said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered to one place, and let the dry land become visible." It was so.
י וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ וּלְמִקְוֵה הַמַּיִם קָרָא יַמִּים; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי-טוֹב
Vayikra Elokim layabashah eretz ulemikveh hamayim kara yamim vayar Elokim ki-tov.
10. G-d called the dry land "Earth," and the gathering of waters He called "Seas;" and G-d saw that it was good.
יא וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע עֵץ פְּרִי עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי לְמִינוֹ אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ-בוֹ עַל-הָאָרֶץ וַיְהִי-כֵן
Vayomer Elokim tadshe ha'aretz deshe esev mazria zera etz pri oseh peri lemino asher zar'o-vo al-ha'aretz vayehi-chen.
11. G-d said, "Let the earth grow grass, seedbearing plantss, and fruit trees bearing fruit of its own kind with its seed within it, on the earth." It was so.
יב וַתּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע, לְמִינֵהוּ, וְעֵץ עֹשֶׂה-פְּרִי אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ-בוֹ, לְמִינֵהוּ; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים, כִּי-טוֹב
Vatotze ha'aretz deshe esev mazria zera leminehu ve'etz oseh pri asher zar'o-vo leminehu vayar Elokim ki-tov.
12. The earth grew grass, plants yielding seed of its kind, and trees bearing fruit which has in it seeds of its kind; and G-d saw that it was good.
יג וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר יוֹם שְׁלִישִׁי
Vayehi-erev vayehi-voker yom shlishi.
13. It was evening, and it was morning, the third day.
יד וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם, לְהַבְדִּיל, בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה; וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים, וּלְיָמִים וְשָׁנִים
Vayomer Elokim yehi meorot birekia hashamayim lehavdil bein hayom uvein halailah vehayu leotot ulemoadim uleyamim veshanim.
14. G-d said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide between day and night, and let them be for signs, for set times, for days, and for years."
טו וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם, לְהָאִיר עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיְהִי-כֵן
Vehayu li-meorot birekia hashamayim leha'ir al-ha'aretz vayehi-chen.
15. Let them be as lights in the firmament of heaven to illuminate the earth." It was so.
טז וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-שְׁנֵי הַמְּאֹרֹת הַגְּדֹלִים אֶת-הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדֹל לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַיּוֹם וְאֶת-הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטֹן לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַלַּיְלָה וְאֵת הַכּוֹכָבִים
Vaya'as Elokim et-shenei hameorot hagdolim et-hamaor hagadol le-memshelet hayom ve'et hamaor hakaton le-memshelet halailah ve'et hakochavim.
16. G-d made the two great lights - the large light to rule the day, and the small light to rule the night - and the stars.
יז וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם לְהָאִיר עַל-הָאָרֶץ
Vayiten otam Elokim birekia hashamayim leha'ir al-ha'aretz.
17. G-d set them in the firmament of the heaven to illuminate the earth,
יח וְלִמְשֹׁל בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה וּלְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי-טוֹב
Velimshol bayom uvalailah ulehavdil bein ha'or uvein hachoshech vayar Elokim ki-tov.
18. to rule over day an night, and to divide between light and darkness; G-d saw that it was good.
יט וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר יוֹם רְבִיעִי
Vayehi-erev vayehi-voker yom revi'i.
19. It was evening, and it was morning, the fourth day.
כ וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים--יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה וְעוֹף יְעוֹפֵף עַל-הָאָרֶץ עַל-פְּנֵי רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם
Vayomer Elokim yishretzu hamayim sheretz nefesh chayah ve'of yeofef al-ha'aretz al-penei rekia hashamayim.
20. G-d said, "Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let flying creatures fly over the earth, on the face of the firmament of heaven."
כא וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הַתַּנִּינִם הַגְּדֹלִים וְאֵת כָּל-נֶפֶשׁ הַחַיָּה הָרֹמֶשֶׂת אֲשֶׁר שָׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם לְמִינֵהֶם וְאֵת כָּל-עוֹף כָּנָף לְמִינֵהוּ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי-טוֹב
Vayivra Elokim et-hataninim hagedolim ve'et kol nefesh hachayah haromeset asher shartzu hamayim le-minehem ve'et kol-of kanaf leminehu vayar Elokim ki-tov.
21. G-d created the great sea creatures, along with every living thing that crawls, with which the waters teem, of its kind, and every winged flying creature of its kind. G-d saw that it was good.
כב וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים לֵאמֹר פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת-הַמַּיִם בַּיַּמִּים וְהָעוֹף יִרֶב בָּאָרֶץ
Vayevarekh otam Elokim lemor peru urevu umil'u et-hamayim bayamim veha'of yirev ba'aretz.
22. G-d blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the waters of the seas, and let the flying creatures multiply on the earth."
כג וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר יוֹם חֲמִישִׁי
Vayehi-erev vayehi-voker yom chamishi.
23. It was evening and it was morning, the fifth day.
כד וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים תּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה לְמִינָהּ בְּהֵמָה וָרֶמֶשׂ וְחַיְתוֹ-אֶרֶץ לְמִינָהּ וַיְהִי-כֵן
Vayomer Elokim "totze ha'aretz nefesh chayah leminah behemah varemes vechayeto-eretz leminah vayehi-chen.
24. G-d said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures, each of its kind: cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth, each to its kind." It was so.
כה וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ לְמִינָהּ וְאֶת-הַבְּהֵמָה לְמִינָהּ וְאֵת כָּל-רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה לְמִינֵהוּ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי-טוֹב
Vaya'as Elokim et chayat ha'aretz leminah ve'et habehemah leminah ve'et kol-remes ha'adamah leminehu vayar Elokim ki-tov.
25. G-d made the beasts of the earth, each of its kind, the cattle, each of its kind, and all that creep on the ground, each of its kind, and G-d saw that it was good.
כו וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ וְיִרְדּוּ בִדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבְכָל-הָאָרֶץ וּבְכָל-הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָרֶץ
Vayomer Elokim na'aseh adam betzalmenu kidemutenu veyirdu bidegat hayam uve'of hashamayim uvabehemah uvechol-ha'aretz uvechol-haremes haromes al-ha'aretz.
26. G-d said, "Let us make man in our image, as our likeness, and let him dominate the fish of the sea, the flying creatures of the sky, the cattle, all the earth, and every creeping thing that crawls on the earth."
כז וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתו זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה בָּרָא אֹתָם
Vayivra Elokim et-ha'adam betzalmo betzelem Elokim bara oto zachar unekevah bara otam.
27. G-d created man in His form. In the form of G-d He created him, male and female He created them.
כח וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם אֱלֹהִים פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת-הָאָרֶץ וְכִבְשֻׁהָ וּרְדוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבְכָל-חַיָּה הָרֹמֶשֶׂת עַל-הָאָרֶץ
Vayevarech otam Elokim vayomer lahem Elokim peru urevu umil'u et-ha'aretz vechiveshuha uredu bidegat hayam uve'of hashamayim uvechol-chayah haromeset al-ha'aretz.
28. G-d blessed them, and G-d said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and conquer it, and dominate the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every beast that creeps on the earth."
כט וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת-כָּל-עֵשֶׂב זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָאָרֶץ וְאֶת-כָּל-הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר-בּוֹ פְרִי-עֵץ זֹרֵעַ זָרַע לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה
Vayomer Elokim hineh natati lachem et-chol-esev zorea zera asher al-penei kol-ha'aretz ve'et-kol-ha'etz asher-bo feri-etz zorea zara lachem yihyeh le-ochlah.
29. G-d said, "Behold, I have given you all seedbearing grasses on the face of the earth, and every tree that has seedbearing fruit - to you it shall be to eat.
ל וּלְכָל-חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וּלְכָל-עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְכֹל רוֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר-בּוֹ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה אֶת-כָּל-יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב לְאָכְלָה וַיְהִי-כֵן
Ulechol-chayat ha'aretz ulechol-of hashamayim ulechol romes al-ha'aretz asher-bo nefesh chayah et-kol-yerek esev le'ochlah vayehi-chen.
30. But for every beast of the earth, every bird of the sky, and for everything that creeps on the ground having in it a living soul, all grass vegetation shall be as food." It was so.
לא וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-כָּל-אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וְהִנֵּה-טוֹב מְאֹד וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי
Vayar Elokim et-kol-asher asah vehineh-tov me'od vayehi-erev vayehi-voker yom hashishi.
31. G-d saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good. It was evening and it was morning, the sixth day.
Commentary
bereishit: - in [at] the beginning. The meaning of the word bereishit is "at the beginning."
In the opinion of Rabbi Nechemyah (quoted in Midrash Tanchuma at the beginning of Parashat Bereishit), the paragraph tells us that heaven and earth with all their derivatives were created on the first day, none of them having been preceded by any physical matter at all. This fact is attested to by the word bara which describes the creation of "something out of nothing." Rabbi Nechemyah claims that the proof that the whole universe was created already on the first day are the words totze ha'aretz "let the earth bring forth" (Bereishit 1:24)
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