The Hebrew word “erets,” translated earth, can be translated to mean “matter” or “the substance from which things are formed.” Secondly, God created matter. In the beginning, God created all the matter in the universe. Genesis 1:2 indicates the material God had created was empty and formless and covered with darkness. The earth was yet without form; like an unformed lump of clay, there was no shape—the raw material lay not yet fashioned. The earth was barren and lifeless; creation was not