The initial word of the biblical text, in its original Hebrew form, is “” (Bereshit). This word is typically translated into English as “In the beginning.” It serves as the opening of the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the Christian Old Testament. The word itself functions as a temporal adverb, indicating when the events described subsequently took place.
This opening word carries significant weight, setting the stage for the entire narrative of creation. It signifies the initiation of existence itself, the moment from which all things originate. Historically, “Bereshit” has also become the traditional Jewish name for the Book of Genesis. Its placement at the very beginning emphasizes the foundational nature of the creation account within the broader biblical narrative and highlights the importance of understanding origins within both Jewish and Christian theological frameworks.