The first chapter of the Bible describes the initial period of creation of the universe. Now we move on to a description of a special animal that appeared on the sixth day.
Genesis 2:1-4a, The seventh day
Genesis 2:1-4a, The seventh day
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
The heavens and earth are indeed vast. What is the significance of the seventh day? Did God need to rest? (NIV footnotes suggest that "rested" could be translated "ceased.")
Verse 4, "this is the account", sounds like a conclusion to the primary account of creation. Now we move on to some details. John Walton argues that the Hebrew word here (toledoth, Strong's concordance H8435) often announces a break in the text, moving on to a new topic. The word translated here "is the account" is often translated "are the generations of" and in most other occurrences in the Old Testament the word is indeed followed by a genealogy. With this word as a separator, Walton argues that Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 should be read as a single chapter; after this, until the next occurrence of toledoth in Genesis 5;1, we see a more detailed description of this creation.
Genesis 2:4b-9, Garden of Eden
Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Why had there not yet been rain? What does this mean? Does this require 24-hour days? Is verse 6 ("streams came up to water the earth") wrong? Or does it imply a length of time longer than a 24-hour day?
NIV footnotes suggest that "earth" could be translated "land" and also suggest that "streams" could be translated "mist." Further, "In verse 7, the Hebrew for man (adam) sounds like the Hebrew for ground (adamah); it is also the name Adam (see Gen. 2:20)."
Genesis 2:10-14, The rivers of the Garden
Notice how the writer assumes that his readers know of these rivers. The writer describes some of the richness of the nearby land. The locations of these ancient rivers is speculative; see for example the Wikipedia page on Havilah. The land of Cush, says the NIV, is "possibly southeast Mesopotamia."
Genesis 2: 15-17, Man's calling
Mankind is assigned to work in Paradise, this before the Fall. Good creative work is not a result of the fall, but a natural part of God's paradise.
There is only one proscription....
There is only one proscription....
Genesis 2: 18-25, Eve
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called `woman,' for she was taken out of man."
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
In Genesis 1:27 we see "male and female" humans created. Was Eve created in the sixth day? (Yes.)
NIV footnotes suggest that the word "rib" could simply be "part of the man's side." Also, say the footnotes, "The Hebrew for woman sounds like the Hebrew for man."
The last verses of this chapter summarize the theme of marriage, leaving one's family and "becoming one flesh" with another, creating a new family.
NIV footnotes suggest that the word "rib" could simply be "part of the man's side." Also, say the footnotes, "The Hebrew for woman sounds like the Hebrew for man."
The last verses of this chapter summarize the theme of marriage, leaving one's family and "becoming one flesh" with another, creating a new family.
First published Jan 3, 2023; updated July 29, 2024
No comments:
Post a Comment