[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/papers/hbo-2017-dzikiewicz-verse-gen-1-1-subordinate/)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [docs](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/) / [papers](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/papers/) / [Ancient Hebrew](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/papers/hbo/) / The verse of Gen 1, 1: a subordinate or principal clause? A contribution to the discussion on the syntax of the first sentence of the Hebrew Bible

# The verse of Gen 1, 1: a subordinate or principal clause? A contribution to the discussion on the syntax of the first sentence of the Hebrew Bible

**Authors:** Daniel Dzikiewicz · **Year:** 2017 · **Venue:** Rocznik Teologii Katolickiej 16 (3), 9–18 **Link:** [doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01](https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01) · **Licence:** free to read, no CC licence — copyrighted, summary only

[**1** citations](https://openalex.org/works?filter=cites:W2784338900) openalex · 2026-10-19[Rocznik Teologii Katolickiej](https://openalex.org/S4210182944)

- [Publisher's page](https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01)
- [PDF](https://repozytorium.uwb.edu.pl/jspui/bitstream/11320/6196/1/RTK_16_3_2017_D_Dzikiewicz_The_verse_of_Gen_1_1_a_subordinate_or_principal_clause.pdf)
- [DOI 10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01](https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01)
- [OpenAlex](https://openalex.org/W2784338900)

**Authors (1)**

1. Daniel Dzikiewicz [Semantic Scholar](https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/133825408)

Citations and author metrics from openalex (2026-10-19); authors with the same name are not always told apart.

## What it is about

A short exegetical article on whether Gen 1:1 is an independent sentence ("In the beginning God created …", LXX, Vulgate, KJV) or a temporal clause subordinate to 1:2–3 ("When God began to create …", NJPS 1985, NRSV). The grammatical crux it reviews is that בְּרֵאשִׁית has no article and can be read as construct before a clause, as with the opening of Enuma Elish; both readings are said to be grammatically possible. The author does not add a linguistic argument: he decides for the subordinate reading on historical-theological grounds (a Priestly author in the Babylonian exile presenting order out of pre-existing chaos). The article offers no data or method.

## Ideas

- I1. Keep Gen 1:1 as a documented double reading in the trees: the default MACULA/JPS 1917 reading as a main clause, with a MISC note pointing to the construct reading (בְּרֵאשִׁית as construct + finite clause, "when … began to create") and to the translations that take it; a known ambiguity case for the syntax chapter.
- I2. Construct state before a finite clause (a noun in construct governing a whole clause, as בְּיוֹם עֲשׂוֹת / בְּיוֹם + verb, Gen 2:4b) is a real pattern: count it in the Torah so that the Gen 1:1 discussion rests on how common the construction is.

## For Mova

I1 goes into [Syntax: the clause and the sentence](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/languages/hbo/08-syntax/) (the construct, relative clauses) and `04-noun.md` (state), and into `13-mova-tools.md` §13 as a known ambiguity. I2 is a count over our trees. The article's own argument (dating and theology) gives nothing for Mova.

## Cite

The paper itself, not this card. BibTeX from the library's record of the work. [DOI 10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01](https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01)

```
@inproceedings{dzikiewicz2017verse,
  title = {{The verse of Gen 1, 1: a subordinate or principal clause? A contribution to the discussion on the syntax of the first sentence of the Hebrew Bible}},
  author = {Dzikiewicz, Daniel},
  booktitle = {Rocznik Teologii Katolickiej},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2017.16.3.01}
}
```

- [← previous Language contact and the genesis of Mishnaic Hebrew](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/papers/hbo-2017-cook-language-contact-genesis-mishnaic-hebrew/)
- [next → Corpus-Driven Visualization of Textual Worlds](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/papers/hbo-2017-kofoed-corpus-driven-visualization-textual-worlds/)
- [↑ back to Ancient Hebrew](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/papers/hbo/)

## References

28 references, 0 of them with a card of ours. ↗ leads to the work, «find» searches for one we have no id for yet.

1. Alonso Schökel L., Isaiah, in R. Alter – F. Kermode (eds.), The Literary Guide to The Bible, London 1997, p. 165-183. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Alonso+Sch%C3%B6kel+L%2E%2C+Isaiah%2C+in+R%2E+Alter+%E2%80%93+F%2E+Kermode+%28eds%2E%29%2C+The+Literary+Guide+to+The+Bible%2C+London+1997%2C+p%2E+165%2D183%2E)
2. Brown R. E. – Schneiders S. M. – Wojciechowski M., Hermeneutyka biblijna, in R. E. Brown – J. A. Fitzmyer – R. E. Murphy (eds.), Katolicki komentarz biblijny, Prymasowska Seria Biblijna, Warszawa 2004 2 , p. 1786-1817. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Brown+R%2E+E%2E+%E2%80%93+Schneiders+S%2E+M%2E+%E2%80%93+Wojciechowski+M%2E%2C+Hermeneutyka+biblijna%2C+in+R%2E+E%2E+Brown+%E2%80%93+J%2E+A%2E+Fitzmyer+%E2%80%93+R%2E+E%2E+Murphy+%28eds%2E%29%2C+Katolicki+komentarz+biblijny%2C+Prymasowska+Seria+Biblijna%2C+Warszawa+2004)
3. Brueggemann W., Genesi, Strumenti Commentari 9, Torino 2002. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Brueggemann+W%2E%2C+Genesi%2C+Strumenti+Commentari+9%2C+Torino+2002%2E)
4. Brueggemann W., Introduzione all’Antico Testamento. Il canone e l’immaginazione cristiana, Strumenti Biblica 21, Torino 2005. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Brueggemann+W%2E%2C+Introduzione+all%E2%80%99Antico+Testamento%2E+Il+canone+e+l%E2%80%99immaginazione+cristiana%2C+Strumenti+Biblica+21%2C+Torino+2005%2E)
5. Childs B. S., Teologia biblica. Antico e Nuovo Testamento, Priemme Theologica, Casale Monferrato 1998. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Childs+B%2E+S%2E%2C+Teologia+biblica%2E+Antico+e+Nuovo+Testamento%2C+Priemme+Theologica%2C+Casale+Monferrato+1998%2E)
6. Cotter D. W., Genesis, Berit Olam. Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry, Collegeville 2003. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Cotter+D%2E+W%2E%2C+Genesis%2C+Berit+Olam%2E+Studies+in+Hebrew+Narrative+and+Poetry%2C+Collegeville+2003%2E)
7. Davidson R. M., In the Beginning: How to Interpret Genesis 1, „Dialogue“, 1994, no. 6(3), p. 9-12. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Davidson+R%2E+M%2E%2C+In+the+Beginning%3A+How+to+Interpret+Genesis+1%2C+%E2%80%9EDialogue%E2%80%9C%2C+1994%2C+no%2E+6%283%29%2C+p%2E+9%2D12%2E)
8. Dikevičius D., Dėl Pr 1, 1–3A vertimo ir interpretacijos, in V. Balčius (ed.), Kunigas. Vilniaus Arkivyskupo Kardinolo Audrio Juozo Bačkio tarnystės penkiasdešimtmečiui, Vilnius 2011, p. 95-104. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Dikevi%C4%8Dius+D%2E%2C+D%C4%97l+Pr+1%2C+1%E2%80%933A+vertimo+ir+interpretacijos%2C+in+V%2E+Bal%C4%8Dius+%28ed%2E%29%2C+Kunigas%2E+Vilniaus+Arkivyskupo+Kardinolo+Audrio+Juozo+Ba%C4%8Dkio+tarnyst%C4%97s+penkiasde%C5%A1imtme%C4%8Diui%2C+Vilnius+2011%2C+p%2E+95%2D104%2E)
9. Dzikiewicz D., Zasady czytania Pisma Świętego, in D. Dzikiewicz – J. Witkowski (eds.), Józef Obrembski – kapłan według serca Bożego, Wielcy Ludzie Wileńszczyzny 1, Wilno 2010, p. 101-118. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Dzikiewicz+D%2E%2C+Zasady+czytania+Pisma+%C5%9Awi%C4%99tego%2C+in+D%2E+Dzikiewicz+%E2%80%93+J%2E+Witkowski+%28eds%2E%29%2C+J%C3%B3zef+Obrembski+%E2%80%93+kap%C5%82an+wed%C5%82ug+serca+Bo%C5%BCego%2C+Wielcy+Ludzie+Wile%C5%84szczyzny+1%2C+Wilno+2010%2C+p%2E+101%2D118%2E)
10. Eco U., Atviras kūrinys. Forma ir neapibrėžtumas šiuolaikinėje poetikoje, Vilnius 2004. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Eco+U%2E%2C+Atviras+k%C5%ABrinys%2E+Forma+ir+neapibr%C4%97%C5%BEtumas+%C5%A1iuolaikin%C4%97je+poetikoje%2C+Vilnius+2004%2E)
11. Hamilton V. P., Handbook on the Pentateuch. Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy, Grand Rapids 1995. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Hamilton+V%2E+P%2E%2C+Handbook+on+the+Pentateuch%2E+Genesis%2E+Exodus%2E+Leviticus%2E+Numbers%2E+Deuteronomy%2C+Grand+Rapids+1995%2E)
12. Küng H., Ebraismo, Biblioteca Universale Rizzoli Saggi, Milano 2007 4 . [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=K%C3%BCng+H%2E%2C+Ebraismo%2C+Biblioteca+Universale+Rizzoli+Saggi%2C+Milano+2007+4+%2E)
13. La Bibbia di Gerusaleme, Bologna 2000 17 . [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=La+Bibbia+di+Gerusaleme%2C+Bologna+2000+17+%2E)
14. Lemański J., Pięcioksiąg dzisiaj, Studia Biblica 4, Kielce 2002. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Lema%C5%84ski+J%2E%2C+Pi%C4%99cioksi%C4%85g+dzisiaj%2C+Studia+Biblica+4%2C+Kielce+2002%2E)
15. Lemański J., Księga Rodzaju. Rozdziały 1-11. Wstęp, przekład z oryginału, komentarz, Nowy Komentarz Biblijny Stary Testament I/1, Częstochowa 2013. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Lema%C5%84ski+J%2E%2C+Ksi%C4%99ga+Rodzaju%2E+Rozdzia%C5%82y+1%2D11%2E+Wst%C4%99p%2C+przek%C5%82ad+z+orygina%C5%82u%2C+komentarz%2C+Nowy+Komentarz+Biblijny+Stary+Testament+I%2F1%2C+Cz%C4%99stochowa+2013%2E)
16. Łach S., Księga Rodzaju. Wstęp – przekład z oryginału. Komentarz, Pismo Święte Starego Testamentu I/1, Poznań 1962. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%C5%81ach+S%2E%2C+Ksi%C4%99ga+Rodzaju%2E+Wst%C4%99p+%E2%80%93+przek%C5%82ad+z+orygina%C5%82u%2E+Komentarz%2C+Pismo+%C5%9Awi%C4%99te+Starego+Testamentu+I%2F1%2C+Pozna%C5%84+1962%2E)
17. Morant P., Die Anfänge der Menschheit. Eine Auslegung der ersten elf Genesis-Kapitel, Luzern 1960. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Morant+P%2E%2C+Die+Anf%C3%A4nge+der+Menschheit%2E+Eine+Auslegung+der+ersten+elf+Genesis%2DKapitel%2C+Luzern+1960%2E)
18. Purvis J. D. – Meyers E. M., Wygnanie i powrót. Od zburzenia Jerozolimy przez Babilończyków do odbudowy państwa żydowskiego, in H. Shanks (ed.), Starożytny Izrael. Od Abrahama do zburzenia świątyni jerozolimskiej przez Rzymian, Podręczniki Biblijne, Warszawa 2007, p. 297-335. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Purvis+J%2E+D%2E+%E2%80%93+Meyers+E%2E+M%2E%2C+Wygnanie+i+powr%C3%B3t%2E+Od+zburzenia+Jerozolimy+przez+Babilo%C5%84czyk%C3%B3w+do+odbudowy+pa%C5%84stwa+%C5%BCydowskiego%2C+in+H%2E+Shanks+%28ed%2E%29%2C+Staro%C5%BCytny+Izrael%2E+Od+Abrahama+do+zburzenia+%C5%9Bwi%C4%85tyni+je)
19. Ricœur P., Apie vertimą, Vilnius 2010. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Ric%C5%93ur+P%2E%2C+Apie+vertim%C4%85%2C+Vilnius+2010%2E)
20. Rooker M. F., Genesis 1:1-3: Creation or Re-Creation? Part 1, „Bibliotheca Sacra“, 1992, no. 149, p. 316-323. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rooker+M%2E+F%2E%2C+Genesis+1%3A1%2D3%3A+Creation+or+Re%2DCreation%3F+Part+1%2C+%E2%80%9EBibliotheca+Sacra%E2%80%9C%2C+1992%2C+no%2E+149%2C+p%2E+316%2D323%2E)
21. Sacchi P., Il giudaismo del Secondo Tempio, in G. Filoramo (ed.), Ebraismo, Economica Laterza 435, Roma – Bari 2007, p. 53-123. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Sacchi+P%2E%2C+Il+giudaismo+del+Secondo+Tempio%2C+in+G%2E+Filoramo+%28ed%2E%29%2C+Ebraismo%2C+Economica+Laterza+435%2C+Roma+%E2%80%93+Bari+2007%2C+p%2E+53%2D123%2E)
22. Soggin J. A., Storia d’Israele. Introduzione alla storia d’Israele e Giuda dalle origini alla rivolta di Bar Kochbà, Biblioteca di cultura religiosa 44, Brescia 2002 2 . [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Soggin+J%2E+A%2E%2C+Storia+d%E2%80%99Israele%2E+Introduzione+alla+storia+d%E2%80%99Israele+e+Giuda+dalle+origini+alla+rivolta+di+Bar+Kochb%C3%A0%2C+Biblioteca+di+cultura+religiosa+44%2C+Brescia+2002+2+%2E)
23. Speiser E. A., Genesis: Introduction, Translation, and Notes, The Anchor Yale Bible 1, New Haven – London 2008. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Speiser+E%2E+A%2E%2C+Genesis%3A+Introduction%2C+Translation%2C+and+Notes%2C+The+Anchor+Yale+Bible+1%2C+New+Haven+%E2%80%93+London+2008%2E)
24. Vawter B., Genesis, in R. C. Fuller (ed.), A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, Nashville – Camden – New York 1984 3 , p. 166-205. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Vawter+B%2E%2C+Genesis%2C+in+R%2E+C%2E+Fuller+%28ed%2E%29%2C+A+New+Catholic+Commentary+on+Holy+Scripture%2C+Nashville+%E2%80%93+Camden+%E2%80%93+New+York+1984+3+%2C+p%2E+166%2D205%2E)
25. von Rad G., Genesis. A Commentary, Westminister 1973. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=von+Rad+G%2E%2C+Genesis%2E+A+Commentary%2C+Westminister+1973%2E)
26. von Rad G., Genesi. Traduzione e commento, Antico Testamento 2/4, Brescia 1978. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=von+Rad+G%2E%2C+Genesi%2E+Traduzione+e+commento%2C+Antico+Testamento+2%2F4%2C+Brescia+1978%2E)
27. Waltke B. K., Creation and Chaos, Portland 1974. [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Waltke+B%2E+K%2E%2C+Creation+and+Chaos%2C+Portland+1974%2E)
28. Wénin A., D’Adam à Abraham ou les errances de l’humain. Lecture de Genèse 1,1-12,4, Lire la Bible 148, Paris 2007. Biblical theology [find](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=W%C3%A9nin+A%2E%2C+D%E2%80%99Adam+%C3%A0+Abraham+ou+les+errances+de+l%E2%80%99humain%2E+Lecture+de+Gen%C3%A8se+1%2C1%2D12%2C4%2C+Lire+la+Bible+148%2C+Paris+2007%2E+Biblical+theology)