<P> Genesis 1: 5 is the fifth verse in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, part of the Genesis creation narrative . In this verse, God names the newly created day and night . Interpretation of this passage hinges on the interpretation of Genesis 1: 4 . "Evening and morning" bring the narrative of the first day of Creation to a close, and there are also multiple interpretations of this phrase . </P> <P> Commentator Paul Kissling writes that, by naming the day and the night, God reveals his sovereign power over them, seeing the light and darkness here as purely physical . In the Ancient Near East, "the act of giving a name meant, above all, the exercise of a sovereign right ." Galia Patt - Shamir points out that the "power of names and naming" is displayed here, but that later in the narrative this power of naming is also granted to Adam, the first human . </P> <P> According to John Calvin, God is here instituting "a regular vicissitude of days and nights ." </P> <P> The Zohar, on the other hand, interprets the verse as describing an emanation which would be "the foundation root of universal life ." </P>

The evening and the morning were the first day