Knowing God

Did God really create the world in six literal days?

Scripture describes creation as six literal days followed by a seventh day of rest, a pattern later memorialized in the weekly Sabbath commandment.

Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-27

Written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team. Read our editorial policy.

0 views
Creation

Biblical explanation

Genesis records creation using the same Hebrew word for “day” paired with “evening and morning,” the same pattern used elsewhere in Scripture for literal 24-hour days. The fourth commandment reinforces this reading by grounding the seven-day week in God's literal creation week, not in a symbolic or extended process. Believing in a recent, literal creation shapes more than a science debate; it affirms that human life has inherent dignity as God's direct handiwork, that death entered through sin rather than being part of God's original design, and that the weekly Sabbath rests on a real historical foundation.

In brief

Genesis records creation using the same Hebrew word for “day” paired with “evening and morning,” the same pattern used elsewhere in Scripture for literal 24-hour days.

Bible references

Go deeper into this topic Where Did Evil Come From? Start the study

Editorial note

This answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.