By: Samuel T. Clifford

 

A modern interpretation for the Genesis account that presents itself as a compromise of old earth dates and the Bible is the Day-Age Theory. Those who advocate for this theory propose that the Hebrew word for day (yom) doesn’t necessarily mean a 24-hour day and can refer to a long period of time and that this is the case with the days of the creation week. There are a number of problems with this interpretation, however, as will be shown below.

 

Firstly, the main thrust of the proposition for the Day-Age Theory is the claim that yom doesn’t refer to a 24-hour day in all of its uses. However, this logic is faulty. Just because yom CAN be used to refer to more than a 24-hour day doesn’t mean that IS its use in Genesis 1. A Day-Age theorist doesn’t prove the days in Genesis 1 aren’t literal just by showing the possibility of it.

For example, when we refer to the word "car" we often thing of a personal vehicle. Something with four tires and a steering wheel that a person drives to and from some place. However, "car" can also mean a train car. Just because "car" can be a train car doesn't mean that what I'm referring to is a train car. In other words, context is key to determine what the word is referring to. What does the context reveal? That will be found in the next point.

 

Secondly, Genesis 1 further proves these are literal days by its word usage. The phrase “evening and morning” are used with each of the six days of creation (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31). Thus, showing a 24-hour day cycle. In Genesis 1:5, “night” is used with yom. Outside of Genesis 1, “night” is used with yom 52 times and always refers to an ordinary day. Genesis 1 shouldn’t be an exception. Even giving the “days” numbers makes the literal interpretation more natural. 

 

Thirdly, the plural of yom, which can be used to refer to a longer period of time (“in those days”), is not used in Genesis 1. Thus, making the Day-Age Theory’s interpretation irregular. 

 

Finally, Exodus 20:11 seals the fate of the faulty interpretation when Moses makes the connection of our work week to God’s six-day creation:

 

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:11 KJV)

 

“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:11 NASB)