In the beginning (phrase)


"In the beginning" is an opening phrase first used in the Bible in Genesis. First referring to the beginning when the heavens and Earth were created and later commonly paralleled to Christians once again in as the "Word" being with God and being God during the beginning. Outside of the Bible, it is a common term in popular culture such as album titles and fiction titles.

Etymology and origin

The original word in the Bible in Ancient Hebrew writings is Bereshit : "In beginning ". The definite article is missing, but implied.
archē is the original phrase that is used in John.

Usage

In, the full verse saying is translated as fully saying:

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
"In the beginning" was used once again referenced in the New Testament in the verse :
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Tradition and theology

In Judaism

The first word, and thus God's role as Creator, is recited in the Aleinu prayer near the end of each of the three daily prayer services.

In Christianity

is commonly paralleled by Christian theologians with as something that John the apostle alluded to. Theologian Charles Ellicott wrote:
"The reference to the opening words of the Old Testament is obvious, and is the more striking when we remember that a Jew would constantly speak of and quote from the book of Genesis as "Berēshîth". It is quite in harmony with the Hebrew tone of this Gospel to do so, and it can hardly be that St. John wrote his Berēshîth without having that of Moses present to his mind, and without being guided by its meaning.

In Islam

Related Bible verses