What was a 'day' in Genesis chapter 1?

The word 'day' in these verses is subject to much interpretation. A few things to consider:

1. Are boundaries  set by 'evening and morning' in each verse where day is used?

2. By examining the word 'day' in a concordance, does it ever refer to a longer period of time?

3. When accompanied by enumeration (1,2,3 or first, second, third etc.), are we talking about a unit?

4. In Genesis 1:18 God says the sun rules the day and stars and moon the night. Doesn't this define 'day' by God's standards?

Biblical research might intimidate some people.  The more I work the Word, the greatest value comes with just reading it.  It is great to have keys to research the Bible and see its preserved integrity. I have found that God usually has the answer right in the verse, or in the context or where it's been referred to before in the Word. It also helps to understand the biblical timeline of events and the location of a particular concept (i.e. before Jesus Christ or after Jesus Christ's death resurrection and ascension.) in that timeline. The 4 gospels period, when Jesus Christ was ministering to Israel is certainly a different time than the time when the first century church reached out to the Gentiles. 

Biblical research starts with simply reading the Word.

Job 33

Elihu continues:
1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. ( God says there was none like Job. God said this stuff happened "without cause". If the spirit of God had made Elihu, wouldn't Elihu know this?) 

10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; (Job 7:14)
16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.⁸Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

Zeteo

ζητέω - zeteo to seek in order to find, to seek a thing, to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into, to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after to seek i.e. require, demand,to crave, demand something from someone (Thayer and Smith) Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The Greek word 'zeteo' is used 19 times in the church epistles  that are specifically addressed to us.  1.     Ro 2:7 - To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

2.     Ro 10:3 - For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

3.     Ro 10:20 - But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

4.     Ro 11:3 -Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

5.     1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

6.     1Co 4:2 - Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

7-8.  1Co 7:27 - Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

9.     1Co 10:24 - Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

10.   1Co 10:33 - Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

11.    1Co 13:5 - Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

12.    1Co 14:12 -Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

13.     2Co 12:14 - Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; andI will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

14.     2Co 13:3 - Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

15.    Ga 1:10 - For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men,I should not be the servant of Christ.

16.   Ga 2:17 - But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

17.   Php 2:21 - For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

18.   Col 3:1 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

19.   1Th 2:6 -Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

Elihu

The book of Job is the oldest book of the Bible
Much has been written about Elihu, many many theologians say he was a great man, setting the stage for God to come in and talk to Job. Few people regard him as deceptive. I can't believe how clear it is that he is the worst player in Job. He is full of contradictions, it becomes apparent when one sits down and just reads the whole book. Job did not answer this guy! There are great principles in this wonderful book.



Elihu Chapter 32

Job 32:1-5 Introduction to Elihu
1. There are at least 29 references to himself in this chapter alone

2. kindled wrath is used 4 times in his introduction

3. Buzite - ' contempt'

• Job32.2,32:6 Buzite
• Job 12:5,21; 31:34 buz - to despise, to loathe, to contemn

3. Claims to be filled with the spirit of God but describes it in a strange way

• 32:8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
• 18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
• 19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

4. opinion -'dea' used 5x in OT all in:

• Job. 32:6,10,17 - 'dea' - opinion
• 36:3, 37:16 - 'dea' knowledge

Job 32
 1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Lamsa -So these three men who wanted to condemn Job ceased answering him, because he was found righteous in their eyes. Bullinger says the word 'men' is 'nosh' - men of name, always in a bad sense, having inability

 2Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. rather than God? Where did Job do this?
 3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Lamsa -because they found no answer that they might condemn him.
 4Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. culture? this smacks of false humility
 5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
 6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. afraid and durst ?
 7I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. Yes it should!
 8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
 9Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. why does he have to make this point, the same statement is true about anybody.
 10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. What is this?
 11Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
 12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: Bullinger - convinced = convicted 'yakach 5' to make manifest or prominent hiph(5) - reprove,rebuke
 13Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. God thrusteth him down?
 14Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
 15They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
 16When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
 17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. Again what is this?
 18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. Is he constipated?
 19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. Hmm -old wine in new bottles? Bullinger says that if the fermentation process is not complete, skin bottle burst.
 20I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. I think he's gonna burp.
 21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. Puleeze!Flattering titles, flattering?
 22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. God would take him away? The adversary would would do that.

Least

elachistos- from the root elachus (short)Bullinger's Lexicon -least, in magnitude, number, or quality

1. Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least(elachistos) among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

2-3. Mattthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least(elachistos)commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least(elachistos) in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

4. Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least(elachistos) of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

5. Matthew 25:45
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least(elachistos) of these, ye did it not to me.

6. Luke 12:26
If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least(elachistos), why take ye thought for the rest?

7-8. Luke 16:10
He that is faithful in that which is least(elachistos) is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least(elachistos) is unjust also in much.

9. Luke 19:17
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little(elachistos), have thou authority over ten cities.

10. 1 Corinthians 4:3
But with me it is a very small(elachistos) thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

11. 1 Corinthians 6:2
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest(elachistos)matters?

12. 1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least(elachistos) of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

13. James 3:4
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small(elachistos) helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Related words:
elachistoteros

1.Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.