Creation Account Differences
From Eco-Bible 1
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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The first account is found in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2:1-3. The second account is found in Genesis 2:4-25. Since these two creation accounts are from different sources (see below), we can expect differences in what they say and how they say it. These difference complement each other; they do not result in contradictions!
- The chapter and verse divisions were invented by humans thousands of years after these accounts were written. They make it easier for us to refer to specific sections of Scripture; but the people who made the divisions could have done better in some places - such as including the first three verses of chapter 2 with the rest of the account in chapter 1!
The Difference of Who the Eyewitness Was
- The first account is an eyewitness account given by God, not by people. Humans weren't present to witness it, except for a few hours on Day 6 and all of Day 7. God was the only one mentioned in the account, who could know what he did! (There is no reference to the existence of heavenly beings, though they would have been created at some point during the week.)
- The second account is the first of the ten historical accounts found in Genesis that were witnessed by humans. These accounts were first transmitted verbally, and then (after writing was developed) written down.
- (See also: Communication of Pre-Flood Accounts.)
The Difference of How the word "Day" Is Used
- The first account uses the word "day" in a distinctly literal, chronological manner. God defines the word in terms of events that occur every 24 hours: evening and morning.
- The second account uses the word "day" in a distinctly symbolical manner.
- (See also: The Concept of "Day".)
The Difference of Emphasis
- The first account gives us an overview of the entire seven days.
- The second account focuses specifically on details related to the creation of the two humans (the last part of Day 6).
Scripture Passages that Link to Here
- This is the first creation account, an overview of all seven days.
- This is the second creation account, which is limited to details related to the creation of the man and the woman. It does not claim to present the total picture of how things were created!
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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