The Second Creation Story (Part 2)

The Second Creation Story (Part 2)

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The Second Creation Story Part 2[i]

A continuation of the story of Adam, Eve and the Serpent from Introduction to Hebrew Bible

Gen. 2:18  ‘ezer  kenegdo = helper over against  him/it, counterpart

  • To be an equal counterpart
  • God creates the animals out of the ground but the animals are unable ha’adams (Adam’s) counter part
  • During this time ha’adam names the animals

Gen. 2:21 tsel’a = side, usually of a building or animal

  • The woman was made out of Adam’s side not only his Rib

Gen. 2:23 ‘ish/’isshah = man/woman,  sex specific

  • The word man and woman appear for the first time
  • Man expresses a joyful surprise
  • Man and Woman were given their names at the same time

Gen 2:25 arumim = naked

‘arum = subtle, shrewd, clever

Word play with ‘arumim, Gen. 2:25

There is an absence of time… the writer contrasts the words arumim and arum showing that there may have not been a long period of time between chapter 2 and 3

Genesis 3: Where is the snake?

  • In the early Hebrew Bible good and evil is portrayed to come from God
  • There is no word for sin in chapter 3
  • Phyllis Treble states that the woman is the smart one who the snake went for
  • The snake raises a question of doubt “Why would God keep anything from us?”
  • The woman doesn’t ask man’s permission to eat the fruit
  • The commandment was given to ‘ha-adam’  who was later split
  • The man was with her but said nothing
  • The relationship is disrupted on 3 levels
    • The man and the women
    • Humans and God – fear now characterizes
    • Human couple and creation
    • Adam blames God and the woman

Punishment

  • Only the snake is cursed
  • The woman will have pain in child bearing and become slave to the man
  • The man is cursed from the ground meaning he will have to work
  • The Judgments are culturally conditioned
  • Man – work; Woman – childbearing

[i] Partial Notes from Introduction to Hebrew Bible BI-101-A Introduction to Hebrew Bible 1 Denise Hopkins (Notes Taken at Wesley Theological Seminary by Terrell Harris)

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