Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Adam, Eve, plants, animals - what order? | Genesis | stjones | 19819 | ||
I apologize if this already well-plowed ground. I know I'm not the first person to ask this question, I just don't know the answer. THIS IS NOT A TROLL! I am not looking to start a debate, I'm just looking for your views. In the first creation account, trees were created on day three (1:11-13) while Adam and Eve were created on day six (1:26-31). In the second account, Adam came before trees (2:4-9). Specifically, verse 5 says there were no plants; verse 6 says that the ground was watered but says nothing about God creating any plants yet; and verse 7 is when God created Adam - still no mention of plants. Verse 9 says that God planted trees. Some time later, God created Eve (2:21-23). Similarly, the first account says that animals were created ahead of Adam and Eve on the sixth day (1:24-26), while the second says that they were created after Adam had been placed in the garden (2:18-19) but before Eve. I have been told that a literal reading of Genesis provides a complete, historically accurate account of creation (a perspective I respect). If this is the case, how does one explain these apparent differences between the two accounts? Peace and grace, Steve |
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2 | Adam, Eve, plants, animals - what order? | Genesis | srbaegon | 19825 | ||
Concerning the vegetation, notice that chap. 1 is speaking of vegetation in general and chap. 2 is specifically speaking of the plants and shrubs of the field. In the OT you'll find that "of the field" relates primarily to agricultural things. God wants Adam to grow the vegetables, berries, grapes, etc. himself. That's his job. This is reinforced in chap. 3 where God punishes Adam's farming work. As for the trees there are two possibilities: 1) God made a few more trees, or 2) Gen 2:9 is reiterating a statement of fact already mentioned in chap. 1 in order to give reference and relation of the garden, Adam , and the famous trees. I believe the latter is correct. The same type of thing can be said of the timing of the animals and Adam. 1) God either made a few more to bring, or 2) it is a restatement of fact (God created the animals), and He was now bringing them to Adam. Again, I believe the latter. Steve |
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3 | Adam, Eve, plants, animals - what order? | Genesis | stjones | 19864 | ||
Hi, Steve; thanks for the reply. I assume from what you said that there is limited room for some speculation or interpretation when reconciling the two accounts. Is there a general principle that makes it clear where the boundaries are? I'm still having trouble with the time between God's creation of Adam and his creation of Eve. In the first account, the description of God's work on the sixth day makes pretty clear reference to the creation of at least two people (1:27-30). This was completed before the end of the sixth day. In the second account, it seems that a fair amount of time passed between the creation of Adam and the creation of Eve - God planted the garden (2:8-9) and then God created and Adam named all of the animals (2:19-20). Only after that did God create Eve. Do you think that any of these details could have become lost or slightly re-arranged in the Bible's long passage from ancient Hebrew to Latin Vulgate to English? Thanks again. Peace and grace, Steve |
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4 | Adam, Eve, plants, animals - what order? | Genesis | srbaegon | 19866 | ||
Steve, My general principle is to resolve these issues as best as possible within the text itself. Sometimes it impossible, like in Gen 3 when God tells Eve, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth." Wait a minute! How would she have a reference to compare to? Did she have children before the fall? As for the timing of the last day, I reconcile it this way. God made Adam; God brought one of each beast of the field and bird of the air to be named (Notice it's not one of each animal. There are only two subgroups mentioned.); God made Eve. I think that could work within a 24-hour period. Steve |
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5 | Adam, Eve, plants, animals - what order? | Genesis | stjones | 19869 | ||
Steve, Thanks; you've been very helpful. Peace and grace, Steve |
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