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The Gap theory seems to be based largely on translating Genesis 1:2 differently from the usual translations, eg. KJV:

1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

1:2 And the earth was became 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.

Is this a sound translation? Why is was the more usual one?

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The creation in gen1 thru 2:4 takes place on earth when Jesus returns. He is the light – Didymus Mar 4 at 15:15

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up vote 9 down vote accepted

The Hebrew verb "was" is in the Qal (indicative) perfect tense. "Became" is a fanciful translation. There's nothing wrong with fanciful translations and midrasch. But it's probably best to avoid basing tonnage of doctrine on midrasch or fancy.

There is an ambiguity in Hebrew about past or future actions, but that crops up when the IMperfect tense is used, not the perfect.

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The verb in question, like so many other Hebrew words can be translated in a multitude of ways. The tense is only one indication of how to translate. There exists no 1:1 mapping between words in modern languages an biblical Hebrew. That being said. Any theory based upon so little evidence as a common, non-technical, word like "was" or "became" is unsubstantiated. It would be even if the precise translation was available. – itpastorn Mar 11 '12 at 13:44
up vote -3 down vote

Because the earth is no longer without form. When this was written, the earth was no longer without form.

The earth has form, as a testimony and to the Glory of God.

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Jonathon whatever you are trying to say here seems to be getting lost on your audience. Perhaps you could give another stab at this? – Caleb♦ Sep 17 '11 at 20:09
Sorry, it's hard to participate on my android :) took me forever to type my answer lol I will attempt again when I get the chance. – Jonathon Byrd Sep 17 '11 at 21:35

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