Genesis 1:2 ...and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

... and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

In the traditional rendering of this verse, we are looking at an unformed earth covered with water just before the forming process. However, in the alternate translation, it could be read as,

"... and misery, destruction and death was upon the face of the abyss, a roaring, surging mass of water."

which is obtained by the root meanings of the words, "khoshek" translated simply as darkness in the traditional interpretation and "teh-home" which is translated as deep. However, these words can be translated as "destruction and death" and "abyss, a roaring, surging mass of water."

This just happens to compliment the alternate version of the beginning of the Genesis 1:2. Once again, this verse has been a source of controversy for a long time and supports the idea of a pre adamic civilization. The problem with this version is the fact that it conflicts with man being first to fall and bringing sin into this world.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Roman 5:12

Rebuttal to this argument is the alternate rendering of Romans 5:12.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into this kosmos (orderly arrangement), and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Those in this camp argue that kosmos may imply the world but only within this existence. It means an orderly arrangement. The fact that the verse says, "this kosmos" shows that there could be another kosmos which was destroyed by God, a world that could have seen Satan and his followers judged after being kicked out of heaven.

Let me finished by saying that regardless of the version you believe, both are viable renderings of this verse based on the Hebrew. There will be some who will insult those who hold the opposite belief. My recommendation is to ignore the insults but always be open to other side. This is how G-d will teaches you by causing you to dig deep into his Word.

Closed minds and hanging onto traditional thought leads to no growth.