Genesis 1:2 | Sheilot

Genesis 1:2

Question

Genesis 1:8
Please translate it to English.
I have the King James version.
But still I am sure there is something more to know.

Greetings!
From
South Africa

Answer

Thank you for your question.

This is the verse:

בראשית פרק א פסוק ח
 וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ שָׁמָיִם, וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם שֵׁנִי.

Hashem called the Heaven “Shamayim.”

Rashi explains that the word Shamayim in Hebrew can mean a mixture of fire and water: “sham – esh – u’mayim.”

This is the quote from Rashi:

רש"י בראשית פרשת בראשית פרק א פסוק ח
 (ח) ויקרא אלהים לרקיע שמים – שא מים, שם מים, אש ומים, שערבן זה בזה ועשה מהם שמים.

I would advise you to buy an ArtScroll Chumash, where you will find the translation and explanations written in clear English and based on the traditional Jewish commentaries.

Wishing you all the best.


Answered 23 January 2026 How answers are reviewed
Rabbi Avrohom Yishayah Harroch
Answered by
Head of the English department at sheilot.com, Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Graduate of Yeshivas Ponovezh and Kollel Ponovezh, tested by Mifal Halacha, Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah (2022–2026)
Basar Vecholv, Ta'aroves, Ribis, Laws of Shabbos, Yom Tov, Chol Hamoed, Niddah, Tzitzis and Tefillin, Eiruvin, Succah
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