Are the Days of Creation Literal, 24-Hour Days?

In Genesis 1, we learn that God created heaven and earth over the span of six days (known as the "Days of Creation" or "Creation Week") and then rested on the seventh day. Now, were the Days of Creation actually 24-hour days? Let’s look at the biblical context so that we can draw an accurate conclusion from the text.

Since one word can have multiple meanings, the context can help us know which meaning is correct. The Hebrew word for “day” is yom. This word is used extensively throughout the Old Testament, but when it's accompanied by a number (e.g., the third day), yom always means a literal 24-hour day. In the same way, when we find yom accompanied by words like “evening” and “morning,” that's referring to a literal 24-hour day. Here’s an example of this in Scripture:

“Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days” (2 Chronicles 7:8–9; emphasis added).

How do we know what “day” means here? Well, the context is clear: These were ordinary 24-hour days being described. King Solomon didn’t keep the feast for thousands or millions of years! Furthermore, consider what God said in Exodus 20:11 concerning the duration of the Creation Week:

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

In Genesis 1, God gave us our seven-day week. Of course, our weeks don’t last for thousands or millions of years! A week consists of seven 24-hour days. We have no contextual basis, therefore, to interpret the Days of Creation as anything other than regular, 24-hour days.

Thanks for reading,

Angel