Kids Feedback: Does Genesis 1:2 Presume There Was Water at the Beginning of God’s Creation?

on September 16, 2011

In Genesis 1:2 why does the verse refer to “over the surface of the deep” and “the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters?” Does this presume there was water at the beginning of God’s creation?

My 4th grade Sunday school student asked this question. I’ve researched but want to be sure I’m giving her a complete answer.

– G. C., TN

Thanks for sending in this question, and for striving to teach your Sunday school students accurately from the Word of God! Let’s look at the verses you mentioned in Genesis, along with a few others.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1–2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:1–3
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3
Days of Creation

It is clear from these verses that God created everything. God created things such as the earth (with water), space (which was empty, except for the earth), time, and light on Day One (Genesis 1:1–2). None of these things existed before Day One (Hebrews 11:3, Colossians 1:16). He created the atmosphere, by separating the waters, on Day Two (Genesis 1:6–8). God separated the dry land from the sea on Day Three (see Genesis 1:9–10). So, you are right that there was water on Day One, because God created water on that Day.

There is a drawing lesson on how to illustrate the six days of creation, which might be a fun and educational activity to complete with your Sunday School students. You can find it on our main website: https://answersingenesis.org/education/how-to-draw-six-days-of-creation-for-kids-part-i/. It is part of a series, with several other drawing lessons too.

To learn more, please read the following:

Parents, if your children have any questions, please submit them using the “contact us” section on our main website.