Genesis 1:2 — Compare Translations

28 translations compared side by side

The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And the earth was waste and empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

English EASY 2024

The earth was without shape and it was empty. Deep water covered the earth and everywhere was dark. The Spirit of God moved above the water.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

the earth was completely empty. There was nothing on the earth. Darkness covered the ocean, and God's Spirit moved over the water.

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water.

English God's Word - GW 1995

The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

English KJV 1611

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

English LSB

And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

The earth was formless and void, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

The earth didn't have any shape. And it was empty. Darkness was over the surface of the ocean. At that time, the ocean covered the earth. The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

English NIV

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

English NKJ 1982

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.

English NLT

The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

the earth was completely formless and empty, with nothing but darkness draped over the deep. God’s Spirit hovered over the face of the waters.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

the earth was a shapeless, chaotic mass, with the Spirit of God brooding over the dark vapors.

English Tyndale 1537

The earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the deep, and the spirit of god moved upon the water.