Comparing the Language of Different Bible Versions

NIV of Genesis:

(1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (2) 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. (3) And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (4) God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. (5) God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-the first day.

King James Version of Genesis:

(1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (2) 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. (3) And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (4) And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. (5) And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

There are many little differences between the two versions, yet they make a substantial difference in the understanding of the verses. The first verse in the King James Version uses “heaven” instead of “heavens.” “Heaven” implies one and only one heaven, making the statement very direct and defined. The King James Version then uses the word “upon” twice, while the NIV uses “over.” “Upon” implies among the earth, surrounding the lands. “Over” gives the impression of above and separated from the world. The King James Version then uses “moved upon the face of the waters” instead of “was hovering over the waters.” Hovering gives the Spirit a more ghost-like, mystical persona, whereas “moved upon” seems more human and realistic. The NIV says, “he separated the light from the darkness,” but the King James says, “God divided the light from the darkness.” “Separated” gives the impression of perpetual distance, completely distinct from one another. It also implies that the objects that are being separated, in this case darkness and light, do not belong together. “Divided” seems as though they can be put back together in some way, perhaps over time. “Divided” also implies a less organized and less intentional split. It is as though God is just splitting up darkness and light without any concern for which one goes where or for how definite the splitting will be.