Reconciling 6 Days with 13.7 Billion Years

[FreeGrace]

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

You were unclear in your previous two posts about whether or not you have walked away from this argument.

Well, that wasn't your point.  The argument about "was" being better translated as "became" is solid.  

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

I've tried to gracefully seek clarification, but since you have decided to posture, and since we've spent such a ridiculous amount of time examining the virtues of your "Biblehub.com" source, I can now freely declare that your previously ubiquitous claim, that 'hayetha' is translated 'became' in "59%" translations, has been thoroughly debunked due to the fact you were using an inappropriate data source.

Feelin' better now?

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

You are therefore left with the much weaker claim - that 'hayetha' is mostly translated 'was' but also occasionally translated 'became'.

Still wrong.  "hay-et-ah" isn't "mostly translated as "was".  And in many of the verses that were translated as "was" would be equally accurate to use "became", as I have already pointed out.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

I said, "- Firstly, your logic is wrong. These do not mean the same thing. 

If a marriage happens in 2021, it could be said that the female 'was' a wife in 2022. She did not 'become' a wife in 2022. She 'became' a wife in 2021. She 'was' a wife in 2022 - and hopefully still 'is' a wife in 2023.

These sentences mean different things."

Not really.  In order to BE a wife, a woman must get married, in which she BECOMES a wife.  Anyone can see this.  

To say that a woman "was the wife of...." obviously means she BECAME the wife of..."

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

To take the example further, If I were to say, "She 'was' a wife in 2021", you might validly argue that it could also be said that "She 'became' a wife in 2021".

That would be ridiculous, and why use an example with a date attached, since Gen 1:2 included no dates.  So the example is irrelevant to this discussion.  There would be NO validity to argue that the phrase "she was a wife in 2021" could mean "she became a wife in 2021".  If you narrow down to specifics, you change the whole deal.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

However, you could only make that argument if you had some external information about the marriage date - i.e. some context to justify changing the meaning from 'was' to 'became'.

Again, to be a wife means the woman BECAME a wife.  Everyone knows this.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

But that does not mean you can ignore context and proceed to substitute 'became' for 'was' in every instance (as your current argument entails).

Error AGAIN.  I have never argued for "every instance".  I'm only talking about ONE instance, and that is Gen 1:2.  I have used other verses to show that 'hay-et-ah' is translated as "became" more than as "was".  

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

For example:

If I were to instead say, "She 'was' a wife in 2022", and you argued to change the statement to, "She 'became' a wife in 2022", you would be objectively, unequivocally wrong.

Of course I would because that would be STUPID, and I haven't argued that way at all.  So you are just throwing out red herrings.  Your arguments are invalid.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

It is therefore not logically legitimate to conclude an "elsewhere" translation can be applied to every use of the word.

I'm NOT arguing for "every use of the word".  Obviously to everyone else.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

In a comparison between Gen 1 and Jer 4, your argument sees the problem with how Gen 1 is usually translated. Therefore, Gen 1 should be translated the same as Jer 4. Whereas my argument suggests liberties have been taken with the Jer 4 translation. That is, some translators of Jer 4 decided to render a word in a more context-specific manner, rather than translating the word according to its core definition.

The fact that you note that your argument "suggests liberties" shows your own biases and opinions.  How do you know anyone "took liberties" in Jer 4?  You just don't like the FACT that the same 2 words in Genb 1:2 are used in Jer 4:23 to describe the destruction of "the land".  That's the core problem.  And it supports my point about Gen 1:2.  You have to deflect to scholars "taking liberties" when they clearly didn't have to at all.  The SAME WORDS in both verses.  And Jer 4:23 is clearly about destruction.  No way of getting around that.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

No one is necessarily being "disingenuous' here. We're both just coming at the issue from different angles.

I'm understanding Jer 4:23 and applying those EXACT SAME 2 WORDS to Gen 1:2, which is legitimate and does NOT take "liberties".  

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

Yes - that is my point!!! Some translators of Jer 4 made a decision to deviate from the core definition - to make the statement more context-specific.

You just don't want any "context-specific" application to Gen 1:2 when it is clearly the SAME KIND of condition of the land/earth.  Same words, same meaning.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

That is a perfectly valid decision. What is not valid, is to assume that a context-specific deviation from the definition can be applied to every other use of the same term.

Don't be so dramatic, and keep going to the "extremes" here.  I DON'T apply anything "to every other use of the same term".  You keep doing that and it sure weakens your credibility.  Deal with just FACTS.

As to "every other use", the words "tohu wabohu" in Gen 1:2 ONLY OCCUR in Jer 4:23, so that makes only 2 occurrences in the OT.  So let's quit with this "every other occurrence" as if there are many occurrences and I'm trying to force the same meaning in all of them.  We ONLY have 2.  And one is clearly about DESTRUCTION of the land, so WHY NOT apply the same meaning to the only other vers?  You have n0 defense, except to use "context-specific", as if that works.  But it doesn't.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

I demonstrated this in the marriage example above.

Which I pointed out is a bogus example, since you degraded it with a date.  Irrelevant.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

That interpretation perfectly fits the narrative - i.e. that creation was a process; that God first brought the raw, unstructured materials into existence, then subsequently formed them to purpose. There is nothing inherently remarkable or unrealistic about that interpretation.

You are assuming that creation was a process.  That's just taking the restoration process and applying it to creation.  You can't escape Jer 4:23 and DESTRUCTION.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

Wow! "Repentance" you say? That's posturing on steroids.

Wow.  So dramatic.  Don't you understand what the word means?  To change the mind.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

Your argument was that Genesis 1:2 should be translated a "wasteland".

Uh, that's what happens when a "besieging army" (v.16) that "destroys nations" (v.7) does to "the land" (v.20)

20 - Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.

So, explain to me, please, how tohu in Jer 4:23 describes v.20 but CAN'T in Gen 1:2.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

I counted 1 on your list. Maybe I'll give you "barren waste" as well - since I think an empty landscape is implied by that English phrase.

The term "waste" generally just means not used or not useful. I have no problem with "waste" for Genesis 1:2.

OK, then God creates waste, huh?  Really?  I certainly disagree with that.  God spoke everything into existence, per Psa 33:6,9 and applies to Gen 1:1.  God also spoke a number of things into existence during the 6 day restoration.

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

To answer your question, I "really", "really" "REALLY believe" that God created in a process of first bringing the raw, unstructured (or unordered) materials into existence - and then subsequently molded those materials into their final forms - fit for human habitation.

OK, you are free to argue that the universe and earth are only about 6-10,000 years old, if you really really REALLY want to.  Fine with me.

But I DO understand the meaning of "tohu wabohu" in BOTH of its uses.

[FreeGrace]

Tristen, do you realize that your argument regarding the 2 words "tohu wabohu" is that it describes the beginning of God creating the earth in Gen 1:2 but describes the total destruction of Israel in Jer 4:23?

It would be a serious problem if you don't realize this, but this is your argument.

It means creation in 1 verse but total destruction in the ONLY OTHER verse in the OT.

Really?

[Retrobyter]

8 hours ago, FreeGrace said:

It's been sleeping for quite a while now.

Doesn't matter.  A woman isn't born a "mother".  She BECOMES a mother.  Yet, it is also correct to say a woman was a mother.

Shabbat shalom, again, FreeGrace.

EXCEPT that Adam called her that BEFORE she became a mother!

Consider:

Genesis 3:17-4:2 (KJV)

17 And unto Adam he (YHWH God) said,

"Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, 'Thou shalt not eat of it': cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

20 And Adam called his wife's name "Eve" (Hebrew: "Chavaah" = "Life"); because she was "the mother of all living."

21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

22 And the LORD God said,

"Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever ...": 

23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said,

"I have gotten a man from the LORD."

2 And she again bare his brother Abel.

8 hours ago, FreeGrace said:

...

 

[FreeGrace]

21 minutes ago, Retrobyter said:

Shabbat shalom, again, FreeGrace.

EXCEPT that Adam called her that BEFORE she became a mother!

OK, and neither WAS she a mother yet.  How about this:  she WAS to BECOME a mother.  

21 minutes ago, Retrobyter said:

Consider:

Genesis 3:17-4:2 (KJV)

17 And unto Adam he (YHWH God) said,

"Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, 'Thou shalt not eat of it': cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

20 And Adam called his wife's name "Eve" (Hebrew: "Chavaah" = "Life"); because she was "the mother of all living."

Sure.  "was to become the mother..."  

21 minutes ago, Retrobyter said:

21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

22 And the LORD God said,

"Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever ...": 

23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said,

"I have gotten a man from the LORD."

2 And she again bare his brother Abel.

None of this precludes "became" being the translation in v.2.

[Mozart's Starling]

As has been said as one of the first posts on this topic, you shouldn't be contorting or making up excuses to make the Bible fit with science. God is no fool if He meant a longer period of time He'd have said as much, it is very clear when figurative language is being used in The Bible. The only sensible conclusion in my mind is accepting science got it wrong. I'd rather do that than pervert the word.

Edited August 3, 2023 by Mozart's Starling

[SavedOnebyGrace]

On 7/30/2023 at 7:38 AM, FreeGrace said:

Well, that wasn't your point.  The argument about "was" being better translated as "became" is solid.  

Feelin' better now?

Still wrong.  "hay-et-ah" isn't "mostly translated as "was".  And in many of the verses that were translated as "was" would be equally accurate to use "became", as I have already pointed out.

Not really.  In order to BE a wife, a woman must get married, in which she BECOMES a wife.  Anyone can see this.  

To say that a woman "was the wife of...." obviously means she BECAME the wife of..."

That would be ridiculous, and why use an example with a date attached, since Gen 1:2 included no dates.  So the example is irrelevant to this discussion.  There would be NO validity to argue that the phrase "she was a wife in 2021" could mean "she became a wife in 2021".  If you narrow down to specifics, you change the whole deal.

Again, to be a wife means the woman BECAME a wife.  Everyone knows this.

Error AGAIN.  I have never argued for "every instance".  I'm only talking about ONE instance, and that is Gen 1:2.  I have used other verses to show that 'hay-et-ah' is translated as "became" more than as "was".  

Of course I would because that would be STUPID, and I haven't argued that way at all.  So you are just throwing out red herrings.  Your arguments are invalid.

I'm NOT arguing for "every use of the word".  Obviously to everyone else.

The fact that you note that your argument "suggests liberties" shows your own biases and opinions.  How do you know anyone "took liberties" in Jer 4?  You just don't like the FACT that the same 2 words in Genb 1:2 are used in Jer 4:23 to describe the destruction of "the land".  That's the core problem.  And it supports my point about Gen 1:2.  You have to deflect to scholars "taking liberties" when they clearly didn't have to at all.  The SAME WORDS in both verses.  And Jer 4:23 is clearly about destruction.  No way of getting around that.

I'm understanding Jer 4:23 and applying those EXACT SAME 2 WORDS to Gen 1:2, which is legitimate and does NOT take "liberties".  

You just don't want any "context-specific" application to Gen 1:2 when it is clearly the SAME KIND of condition of the land/earth.  Same words, same meaning.

Don't be so dramatic, and keep going to the "extremes" here.  I DON'T apply anything "to every other use of the same term".  You keep doing that and it sure weakens your credibility.  Deal with just FACTS.

As to "every other use", the words "tohu wabohu" in Gen 1:2 ONLY OCCUR in Jer 4:23, so that makes only 2 occurrences in the OT.  So let's quit with this "every other occurrence" as if there are many occurrences and I'm trying to force the same meaning in all of them.  We ONLY have 2.  And one is clearly about DESTRUCTION of the land, so WHY NOT apply the same meaning to the only other vers?  You have n0 defense, except to use "context-specific", as if that works.  But it doesn't.

Which I pointed out is a bogus example, since you degraded it with a date.  Irrelevant.

You are assuming that creation was a process.  That's just taking the restoration process and applying it to creation.  You can't escape Jer 4:23 and DESTRUCTION.

Wow.  So dramatic.  Don't you understand what the word means?  To change the mind.

Uh, that's what happens when a "besieging army" (v.16) that "destroys nations" (v.7) does to "the land" (v.20)

20 - Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.

So, explain to me, please, how tohu in Jer 4:23 describes v.20 but CAN'T in Gen 1:2.

OK, then God creates waste, huh?  Really?  I certainly disagree with that.  God spoke everything into existence, per Psa 33:6,9 and applies to Gen 1:1.  God also spoke a number of things into existence during the 6 day restoration.

OK, you are free to argue that the universe and earth are only about 6-10,000 years old, if you really really REALLY want to.  Fine with me.

But I DO understand the meaning of "tohu wabohu" in BOTH of its uses.

Some people refuse to admit when they're wrong.

[Solus Christus]

15 minutes ago, Mozart's Starling said:

As has been said as one of the first posts on this topic, you shouldn't be contorting or making up excuses to make the Bible fit with science. God is no fool if he meant a longer period of time He'd have said as much, it is very clear when figurative language is being used in The Bible. The only sensible conclusion in my mind is accepting science got it wrong. I'd rather do that than pervert the word.

I am in camp it’s seven days literally myself because I believe God Almighty is powerful enough to accomplish all that in seven days. 

[SavedOnebyGrace]

9 hours ago, Solus Christus said:

I am in camp it’s seven days literally myself because I believe God Almighty is powerful enough to accomplish all that in seven days. 

(Genesis 1:1)  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Perfect and not defiled.

(Genesis 1:2)  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [ESV] Result of judgement of God.

I believe God is almighty powerful to create the heavens and the Earth as the Bible says. Since time had not been created yet, He could have accomplished that in an instance, while the Angels watched. He then could have judged some of the angels who defiled the original creation.

(Job 38:1)  And YHWH answers Job out of the whirlwind and says:
(Job 38:2)  “Who [is] this—darkening counsel, || By words without knowledge?
(Job 38:3)  Now gird your loins as a man, || And I ask you, and you cause Me to know.
(Job 38:4)  Where were you when I founded the earth? Declare, if you have known understanding.
(Job 38:5)  Who placed its measures—if you know? Or who has stretched out a line on it?
(Job 38:6)  On what have its sockets been sunk? Or who has cast its cornerstone—
(Job 38:7)  In the singing together of [the] stars of morning, || When all [the] sons of God shout for joy? [ESV] Sons of God = Angels in this context.

(2 Peter 2:4)  For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; [ESV]

(Jude 1:6)  And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— [ESV]

(Genesis 1:2)  and the earth was formless and void, and darkness [was] on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God [was] fluttering on the face of the waters,
(Genesis 1:3)  and God says, “Let light be”; and light is. [ESV] The beginning of the restoration of the Earth. How long was this restoration? I don't know. This could be 7 days or 7 periods of time. The Bible is a holy book, not a science text book.

Edited August 3, 2023 by SavedOnebyGrace

[Solus Christus]

4 hours ago, SavedOnebyGrace said:

(Genesis 1:1)  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Perfect and not defiled.

(Genesis 1:2)  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [ESV] Result of judgement of God.

I believe God is almighty powerful to create the heavens and the Earth as the Bible says. Since time had not been created yet, He could have accomplished that in an instance, while the Angels watched. He then could have judged some of the angels who defiled the original creation.

(Job 38:1)  And YHWH answers Job out of the whirlwind and says:
(Job 38:2)  “Who [is] this—darkening counsel, || By words without knowledge?
(Job 38:3)  Now gird your loins as a man, || And I ask you, and you cause Me to know.
(Job 38:4)  Where were you when I founded the earth? Declare, if you have known understanding.
(Job 38:5)  Who placed its measures—if you know? Or who has stretched out a line on it?
(Job 38:6)  On what have its sockets been sunk? Or who has cast its cornerstone—
(Job 38:7)  In the singing together of [the] stars of morning, || When all [the] sons of God shout for joy? [ESV] Sons of God = Angels in this context.

(2 Peter 2:4)  For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; [ESV]

(Jude 1:6)  And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— [ESV]

(Genesis 1:2)  and the earth was formless and void, and darkness [was] on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God [was] fluttering on the face of the waters,
(Genesis 1:3)  and God says, “Let light be”; and light is. [ESV] The beginning of the restoration of the Earth. How long was this restoration? I don't know. This could be 7 days or 7 periods of time. The Bible is a holy book, not a science text book.

The Scriptures say he created and said “it was good”, the end of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and on seventh day He rested. 

Each day He created specific things:

Day 1 God creates Light, Day and Night, evening and morning (Genesis 1:3-5) —>This proves measurements of time is already happening with evening and morning happening, day and night. 

Day 2 God creates separation of waters and heavens (Genesis 1:6-8)

Day 3 God creates seas, land, vegetation and trees & etc (Genesis 1:9-13)

Day 4 God Creates The Sun and Moon, and Stars (Genesis 1:14-19)

Day 5 Gid Creates The Birds and Sea Creafuess (Genesis 1:20-23)

Day 6 Beasts of field, Fowl of Air, Every Creeping Thing, and God creates Man in His image (Genesis 1:24-31)

Day 7 He Rested (Genesis 2:2)

 

 

[SavedOnebyGrace]

On 8/3/2023 at 11:32 AM, Solus Christus said:

The Scriptures say he created and said “it was good”, the end of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and on seventh day He rested. 

Each day He created specific things:

Wrong. 

(Genesis 1:1)  R1 In the beginning H7225 R2 God H430 R3 created H1254a the heavens H8064 and the earth H776. [NASB 1995]

 Only in the Genesis 1:1 do we have Moses using the word created. Why?

CREATED, pp. Formed from nothing; caused to exist; produced; generated; invested with a new character; formed into new combinations, with a peculiar shape, constitution and properties; renewed. [Webster]

For Genesis 1:1-2, [NASB 1995] Believer's Bible Commentary is quoted below:

1:1   "In the beginning God . . . ." These first four words of the Bible form the foundation for faith. Believe these words, and you can believe all that follows in the Bible. Genesis provides the only authoritative account of creation, meaningful for people of all ages but exhaustible by no one. The divine record assumes the existence of God rather than seeking to prove it. The Bible has a special name for those who choose to deny the fact of God. That name is fool (Psalms 14:1 and Psalms 53:1). Just as the Bible begins with God, so He should be first in our lives.
1:2   One of several conservative interpretations of the Genesis account of creation, the creation-reconstruction view, says that between verses 1 and 2 a great catastrophe occurred, perhaps the fall of Satan (see Ezekiel 28:11-19). This caused God's original, perfect creation to become without form and void (t–hû wãv–hû). Since God didn't create the earth waste and empty (see Isaiah 45:18), only a mighty cataclysm could explain the chaotic condition of verse 2. Proponents of this view point out that the word translated was (hãyethã) could also be translated "had become." Thus the earth "had become waste and empty."
The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters, preparatory to the great creative and reconstructive acts to follow. The remaining verses describe the six days of creation and reconstruction which prepared the earth for human habitation.

On 8/3/2023 at 11:32 AM, Solus Christus said:

The Scriptures say he created and said “it was good”, the end of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and on seventh day He rested. 

Each day He created specific things:

Day 1 God creates Light, Day and Night, evening and morning (Genesis 1:3-5) —>This proves measurements of time is already happening with evening and morning happening, day and night. 

Day 2 God creates separation of waters and heavens (Genesis 1:6-8)

Day 3 God creates seas, land, vegetation and trees & etc (Genesis 1:9-13)

Day 4 God Creates The Sun and Moon, and Stars (Genesis 1:14-19)

Through Genesis 1:19, God did not create anything out of nothing which is the definition of create and/or created as stated above. I don't know what translation you're using, but you should switch to one more reliable.

On 8/3/2023 at 11:32 AM, Solus Christus said:

Day 5 Gid Creates The Birds and Sea Creafuess (Genesis 1:20-23)

Day 6 Beasts of field, Fowl of Air, Every Creeping Thing, and God creates Man in His image (Genesis 1:24-31)

Day 7 He Rested (Genesis 2:2)

(Genesis 1:20)  Then God H430 said H559, "Let the waters H4325 N1 teem H8317 with swarms H8318 of living H2416a creatures H5315, and let birds H5775 fly H5774a above H5921 the earth H776 N2 in the open H6440 N3 expanse H7549 of the heavens H8064."

(Genesis 1:21)  God H430 created H1254a R1 the great H1419 sea H8577 monsters H8577 and every H3605 living H2416a creature H5315 that moves H7430, with which H834 the waters H4325 swarmed H8317 after their kind H4327, and every H3605 winged H3671 bird H5775 after its kind H4327; and God H430 saw H7200 that it was good H2896a.

(Genesis 1:22)  God H430 blessed H1288 them, saying H559, "Be fruitful H6509 and multiply H7235a, and fill H4390 the waters H4325 in the seas H3220, and let birds H5775 multiply H7235a on the earth H776."

(Genesis 1:23)  There was evening H6153 and there was morning H1242, a fifth H2549 day H3117.

(Genesis 1:24)  R1 Then God H430 said H559, "Let the earth H776 bring H3318 forth H3318 living H2416a creatures H5315 after N1 their kind H4327: cattle H929 and creeping H7431 things H7431 and beasts H2421b of the earth H776 after N1 their kind H4327"; and it was so H3651.

(Genesis 1:25)  God H430 made H6213a the R1 beasts H2421b of the earth H776 after N1 their kind H4327, and the cattle H929 after N1 their kind H4327, and everything H3605 that creeps H7431 on the ground H127 after its kind H4327; and God H430 saw H7200 that it was good H2896a.

(Genesis 1:26)  Then God H430 said H559, "Let R1 Us make H6213a R2 man H120 in Our image H6754, according to Our likeness H1823; and let them R3 rule H7287a over the fish H1710 of the sea H3220 and over the birds H5775 of the N1 sky H8064 and over the cattle H929 and over all H3605 the earth H776, and over every H3605 creeping H7431 thing H7431 that creeps H7430 on the earth H776."

(Genesis 1:27)  God H430 created H1254a man H120 R1 in His own image H6754, in the image H6754 of God H430 He created H1254a him; R2 male H2145 and female H5347 He created H1254a them.

(Genesis 1:28)  God H430 blessed H1288 them; and God H430 said H559 to them, "R1 Be fruitful H6509 and multiply H7235a, and fill H4390 the earth H776, and subdue H3533 it; and rule H7287a over the fish H1710 of the sea H3220 and over the birds H5775 of the N1 sky H8064 and over every H3605 living H2416a thing H2416a that N2 moves H7430 on the earth H776."

(Genesis 1:29)  Then God H430 said H559, "Behold H2009, R1 I have given H5414 you every H3605 plant H6212a yielding H2232 seed H2233 that is on the N1 surface H6440 of all H3605 the earth H776, and every H3605 tree H6086 N2 which H834 has fruit H6529 yielding H2232 seed H2233; it shall be food H402 for you;

(Genesis 1:30)  and R1 to every H3605 beast H2421b of the earth H776 and to every H3605 bird H5775 of the N1 sky H8064 and to every H3605 thing H3605 that N2 moves H7430 on the earth H776 N3 which H834 has life H5315 H2421b, I have given every H3605 green H3418 plant H6212a for food H402"; and it was so H3651.

(Genesis 1:31)  God H430 saw H7200 all H3605 that He had made H6213a, and behold H2009, it was very H3966 R1 good H2896a. And there was evening H6153 and there was morning H1242, the sixth H8345 day H3117.

Days 5 and 6 both include variations of the word create (meaning ex nihilo) indicating God's creative work within these time periods separate from His restorative work. This is obvious and would agree with science since there is no indication of these creations to be related to the early creative work by God beyond His restorative work beginning in Genesis 1:2. DNA/RNA is God's programming language. There is no reason to believe He would change from it.

So fixation of day being 24 hours is just that. For Genesis 1:1-31, [NASB 1995] Believer's Bible Commentary is quoted below:

1:1   "In the beginning God . . . ." These first four words of the Bible form the foundation for faith. Believe these words, and you can believe all that follows in the Bible. Genesis provides the only authoritative account of creation, meaningful for people of all ages but exhaustible by no one. The divine record assumes the existence of God rather than seeking to prove it. The Bible has a special name for those who choose to deny the fact of God. That name is fool (Psalms 14:1 and Psalms 53:1). Just as the Bible begins with God, so He should be first in our lives.
1:2   One of several conservative interpretations of the Genesis account of creation, the creation-reconstruction view, says that between verses 1 and 2 a great catastrophe occurred, perhaps the fall of Satan (see Ezekiel 28:11-19). This caused God's original, perfect creation to become without form and void (t–hû wãv–hû). Since God didn't create the earth waste and empty (see Isaiah 45:18), only a mighty cataclysm could explain the chaotic condition of verse 2. Proponents of this view point out that the word translated was (hãyethã) could also be translated "had become." Thus the earth "had become waste and empty."
The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters, preparatory to the great creative and reconstructive acts to follow. The remaining verses describe the six days of creation and reconstruction which prepared the earth for human habitation.
1:3-5   On the first day God commanded light to shine out of darkness and established the Day and Night cycle. This act is not to be confused with the establishment of the sun, moon, and stars on the fourth day. In 2 Corinthians 4:6 the Apostle Paul draws a parallel between the original separation of light from darkness and the conversion of a sinner.
1:6-8   Prior to the second day, it seems that the earth was completely surrounded by a thick layer of water, perhaps in the form of a heavy vapor. On the second day God divided this layer, part covering the earth with water and part forming clouds, with the atmospheric layers (firmament or "dome") between. God called the firmament Heaven—that is, the expanse of space immediately above the earth (not the stellar heavens, nor the third heaven, where God dwells). Verse 20 makes it clear that the heaven here is the sphere where the birds fly.
1:9-13   Then God caused the dry land to appear out of the waters that covered the face of the planet. Thus were born the Earth and the Seas. Also on the third day He caused vegetation and trees of all kinds to spring up in the earth.
1:14-19   It was not until the fourth day that the Lord set the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens as light-bearers and as means for establishing a calendar.
1:20-23   The fifth day saw the waters stocked with fish and the earth stocked with bird-life and insects. The word translated birds means "flying ones" and includes bats and probably flying insects.
1:24, 25   On the sixth day God first created animals and reptiles. The law of reproduction is repeatedly given in the words according to its kind. There are significant variations within "kinds" of biological life, but there is no passing from one kind to another.
1:26-28   The crown of God's work was the creation of man in His image and according to His likeness. This means that man was placed on earth as God's representative, and that He resembles God in certain ways. Just as God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), so man is a tripartite being (spirit, soul, and body). Like God, man has intellect, a moral nature, the power to communicate with others, and an emotional nature that transcends instinct. There is no thought of physical likeness here. In contrast to animals, man is a worshiper, an articulate communicator, and a creator.
There is an allowance for or even an intimation of the Trinity in verse 26: Then God [Elohim, plural] said [singular verb in Hebrew], "Let Us [plural] make man in Our image . . . ."
The Bible describes the origin of the sexes as a creative act of God. Evolution has never been able to explain how the sexes began. Humanity was commanded to be fruitful and multiply.
God gave man a mandate to subdue creation and have dominion over it—to use it but not abuse it. The modern crises in the earth's environment are due to man's greed, selfishness, and carelessness.
1:29, 30   It is clear from these verses that animals were originally herbivorous and that man was vegetarian. This was changed after the Flood (see Genesis 9:1-7).
Were the six days of creation literal 24-hour days, or were they geological ages? Or were they days of "dramatic vision" during which the creation account was revealed to Moses? No scientific evidence has ever refuted the concept that they were literal solar days. The expression "the evening and the morning" points to 24-hour days. Everywhere else in the OT these words mean normal days. Adam lived through the seventh day and died in his 930th year, so the seventh day could not have been a geological age. Wherever the "day" is used with a number in the OT ("first day," etc.) it means a literal day. When God commanded Israel to rest on the Sabbath day, He based the command on the fact that He had rested on the seventh day, after six days of labor (Exodus 20:8-11). Consistent interpretation here requires the same meaning of the word "day."
A difficulty, however, is that the solar day as we know it may not have begun until the fourth day (vv. 14-19).
As far as the Bible is concerned, the creation of the heavens and the earth is undated. The creation of man is undated also. However, genealogies are given, and, even allowing for possible gaps in the genealogies, man could not have been on the earth for the millions of years demanded by evolutionists.
We learn from John 1:1, John 1:14, Colossians 1:16, and Hebrew 1:2 that the Lord Jesus was the active Agent in creation. For the inexhaustible wonders of His creation, He is worthy of endless worship.
1:31   At the end of the six days of creation God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

The days referred to here and in the text can mean other than 24 hour days.

Source: Biblical reasons to doubt the creation days were 24 hour periods