The Two Creations in the bible

[Talker]

Have often wondered about the variances in the stories of creation. Genesis opens with two different versions of creation.If as one is supposed to believe, the writings in the bible are inspired by god, what is the significance of it? Did I also miss finding this in a search in this forum?

[DH]

Hi Talker,

I took Hebrew in seminary and studied Genesis in particular.  From what I've learned, Genesis 1 and 2 do indeed have two different creation stories with conflicting details (in 1 the humans are created last after the animals, in 2 Adam is created first and God then makes the animals in hopes of finding one that will make a good companion for Adam -- this part is kind of comical, God creates and brings each animal to Adam hoping its the one.  Adam names each one, but none of them cut it!)  The stories were probably written centuries apart, chapter 2 being older and quainter (God is portrayed like an glorified man with Adam in the garden, and he seems a little dense, not being able to figure out the animals wouldn't be a suitable companion for Adam.  The woman is plan B!)

When reading the Hebrew scriptures one cannot be too literal.  The Hebrews were into story and metaphor to reveal truth.  Chapter one is actually a long poem in Hebrew, the climax being the establishment of the Sabbath as THE holy day.  If a group of ancient Hebrews were sitting around the campfire and a child asked, "Why is the sabbath special", an elder might recite the poem of what we know as chapter one.  Chapter 2 climaxes with the man and woman becoming "one flesh".  That is the point of the story.  It answers the question of why marriage is special.  God ordained it and it's grounded in creation.  In both chapters, it's not the (conflicting) details of creation that matter, but the point that each chapter is trying to make.  With much of the Hebrew Scripture you have to "Think Hebrew" which means thinking story or parable.  Jesus and the later rabbis carried on the tradition with their parables.  When Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, the question was not did this story really happen?" but what does it mean?

Blessings, DH

[Talker]

Hi Talker,

I took Hebrew in seminary and studied Genesis in particular.  From what I've learned, Genesis 1 and 2 do indeed have two different creation stories with conflicting details

 The stories were probably written centuries apart, chapter 2 being older and quainter (God is portrayed like an glorified man with Adam in the garden, and he seems a little dense, not being able to figure out the animals wouldn't be a suitable companion for Adam.  The woman is plan B!)

When reading the Hebrew scriptures one cannot be too literal.  The Hebrews were into story and metaphor to reveal truth. 

  Chapter 2 climaxes with the man and woman becoming "one flesh".  That is the point of the story.  It answers the question of why marriage is special.  God ordained it and it's grounded in creation.  In both chapters, it's not the (conflicting) details of creation that matter, but the point that each chapter is trying to make.  With much of the Hebrew Scripture you have to "Think Hebrew" which means thinking story or parable.  Jesus and the later rabbis carried on the tradition with their parables.  When Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, the question was not did this story really happen?" but what does it mean?

Blessings, DH

Hi DH,
Makes sense, sounds good, and you covered it nicely. Liked your "think Hebrew", comment, as that is how I approach most hard to comprehend reads, by trying on the writers hat. Just never thought to do the same with a Hebrew hat. Or would it be yarmulke, under certain conditions?
Be Well