Sunday, August 10, 2014

Isaiah 65:17-18 and the use of ברא

In Isa 65:17-18, speaking of the New Creation, we read the following in the KJV (emphasis added):

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.


The underlying Hebrew of the word translated as “create” is the same Hebrew word used in Gen 1:1, ברא. What is interesting to note in this particular passage is that the term does not have the subtext “out of nothing,” (ex nihilo) but instead, “from pre-existing material (ex materia), as the New Creation will come from a regeneration of this present creation, not one that is generated/created ex nihilo.