Tohu va bohu

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Tohu va bohu (תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ) is a biblical Hebrew phrase found in Genesis 1:2. It means "formless and empty," and describes the condition of the earth before God said, "Let there be light." Rabbi Judah taught that Akiva said Tohu is a green line encompassing the world from which darkness emanates. ^[1]

וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י תְהֹ֑ום וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם׃

Genesis 1:2, original Hebrew (Westminster Leningrad Codex)^[2]

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 1:2, English translation (New International Version)^[3]