Subject: Adam, Eve, plants, animals - what order? |
Bible Note: 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 |