Genesis 1:16

“And God made two great lights, etc.] This was his own work which he himself did, and not by another; and may be particularly observed to express the folly of idolaters in worshipping these luminaries which were the creations of God, and were placed by him in the heaven to serve some purposes on earth beneficial to men, but not to be worshipped. These two “great lights” are the sun and the moon; and they may well be called great, especially the former, for the diameter of the sun is reckoned to be about eight hundred thousand miles. According to Mr. Derham f63 its apparent diameter is computed at 822,145 English miles, its ambit at 2,582,873 miles, and its solid contents at…”

“two great lights--In consequence of the day being reckoned as commencing at sunset--the moon, which would be seen first in the horizon, would appear "a great light," compared with the little twinkling stars; while its pale benign radiance would be eclipsed by the dazzling splendor of the sun; when his resplendent orb rose in the morning and gradually attained its meridian blaze of glory, it would appear "the greater light" that ruled the day. Both these lights may be said to be "made" on the fourth day--not created, indeed, for it is a different word that is here used, but constituted, appointed to the important and necessary office of serving as luminaries to the world, and regulating by…”

“- VI. The Fourth Day 14. מאור mā'ôr, “a light, a luminary, a center of radiant light.” מועה mô‛ēd, “set time, season.” Words beginning with a formative מ musually signify that in which the simple quality resides or is realized. Hence, they often denote place. 17. נתן nāthan “give, hold out, show, stretch, hold out.” Latin: tendo, teneo; τείνω teinō. The darkness has been removed from the face of the deep, its waters have been distributed in due proportions above and below the expanse; the lower waters have retired and given place to the emerging land, and the wasteness of the land thus exposed to view has begun to be adorned with the living forms of a new vegetation. It only remains…”

“1:16 In the surrounding pagan cultures, the two great lights were worshiped as deities, but in Genesis they serve God and humanity (see Ps 136:7-9; Jer 31:35). The sun and moon are not named; they are simply called the larger one and the smaller one. Not including their names may have reminded Israel that they were not gods. • govern: Cp. 1:26, 28; Ps 136:9. • the stars: The starry heavens testify to God’s creative power as they proclaim his glory (Pss 19:1; 148:3). They do not predict the future, as Israel’s neighbors believed (see Jer 10:2).”

“to rule: Heb. for the rule, etc. Deu 4:19; Jos 10:12-14; Job 31:26, Job 38:7; Psa 8:3, Psa 19:6, Psa 74:16; Psa 136:7, Psa 136:8, Psa 136:9, Psa 148:3, Psa 148:5; Isa 13:10, Isa 24:23, Isa 45:7; Hab 3:11; Mat 24:29; Mat 27:45; Co1 15:41; Rev 16:8, Rev 16:9, Rev 21:23 he made the stars also: Or, with the stars also Genesis 1:17”