Question:
You quoted Genesis 1:2, as stating, “and the earth became without form and void.” The word “became” is not in the verse. KJV correctly translates it “was” (from the Hebrew word hayetha) and Scofield is in error to translate it “became.” In context, the verb does not indicate a change of state which is required for it to be translated “because.” Also, the Hebrew construction of verse two is disjunctive, describing the result of the creation described in verse one. And the phrase “without form and void” does not describe chaos but rather emptiness and could be translated “unformed and unfilled.” See Moody Handbook of Theology, pages 302 and 303 and Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie, pages 182 through 184.
Answer:
The word is “hayah” # 1961 in Strongs. If you wish to use “hayetha” that’s fine, but Strongs and others are still very precise in their translation. If you read the word usage in the KJV you will indeed see that the early translators did indeed use “was” but that is not correct in this case. Both Strongs and Brown-Driver-Briggs are all in agreement with the definition that I gave! It became not was. It is defined by Strongs and others as: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) —– 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with