The Second Creation Story Part 1[i]

Gen. 2-3 account presupposes creation of the world in Genesis 1 which is only referred to in the introductory clause of Gen. 2:4b.

• In viewing Gen. 1 you see the text already covered how everything originated.
• In Gen. 2-3, creation of the world is just the background for what is really important: The creation of man and woman.
• Humankind is created to promote the earth’s well being

In Hebrew we see ‘Adam’ mentioned as ha’adam

ha’adam – three-fold meaning listed below

• The Man
• Mankind/humankind
• Adam
• (Earth creature)

Word play in Gen.2:7 ‘adam out of ‘adamah (Hebrew for  ground, soil)

7 then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.

• The word play expresses the relationship between man and the earth

Gen 2:15 God puts man in the garden to till it

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

In Hebrew we find the following words in verse 15

• ‘abad = to serve, respect, work, worship
• shamar = to watch over

Gen 2:16-17

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”

• The knowledge of good and evil (meaning knowing everything)
• Later they ate of the tree but did not die as God has promised
• God gives them choice whether to obey or disobey
• The garden give significant work and provision

---

[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)