What did God create on fourth day?

Answer 1

Lights to rule the day and night.

More detail:The Hebrew word for 'create' is 'bara'. This is the word found in Genesis 1:1 when God actually did 'create' the physical planets and the various forces that keep them in-place and operational. This 'creating' happened, 'in the beginning' to use The Bible expression.

But on the fourth day in verses 14-19, the word 'create' is not used. A different word is used. God had already created the greater & lesser luminaries (sun & moon) long before Day 4. 'Light' had already existed, when God created its possibility 'in the beginning'.

But as we know, some planets have thick swaddling bands around them, hiding the surface from outside view. (Venus for example). The sun may not have penetrated earth's surface enough, according to what the next creations might need.

In these verses, the Hebrew word ʽa·sah′, is used. While it is often translated "make," it can also can mean simply to establish (2Sa 7:11), appoint (De 15:1), form (Jer 18:4), or prepare (Ge 21:8).

Remember that these verses explain 'the PURPOSE' of this change. It is not just to create light for the sake of having light; but to arrange for enough of a division between 'daytime' and 'nighttime' to occur in the right amounts needed for the future 'life-FORMS' which God would later create.

On the fourth day God proceeded to "make" these celestial bodies occupy a new relationship toward earth's surface and the expanse above it.When it is said, "God put them in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth," this would indicate that they now became discernible from the surface of the earth, as though they were in the expanse. Also, the luminaries were to "serve as signs and for seasons and for days and years," thus later providing guidance for man in various ways.