Overview of the Two Creation Accounts

Source
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Priestly (P)
Genesis 2:4–3:24: Yahwist (J)

Name for God
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Elohim ('God')
Genesis 2:4–3:24: YHWH Elohim ('Lord God')

Style
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Structured, formal, poetic
Genesis 2:4–3:24: Narrative, earthy, dramatic

Creation Method
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Divine speech ('Let there be…')
Genesis 2:4–3:24: Hands-on formation (e.g., forming man from dust)

Order of Creation
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Light - sky - land - plants - animals - humans (male and female together)
Genesis 2:4–3:24: Man - garden - animals - woman (from man’s side)

View of God
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Transcendent, cosmic architect
Genesis 2:4–3:24: Immanent, anthropomorphic (walks in garden)

Human Role
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Image of God, dominion over creation
Genesis 2:4–3:24: Caretaker of Eden, moral agent

Theological Emphasis:
Genesis 1:1–2:3: Order, sovereignty, Sabbath
Genesis 2:4–3:24: Relationship, moral choice, fallibility

Key Contrasts

1. Literary Structure
- Genesis 1 is highly ordered: six days of creation followed by rest. It uses repetition ('And God said…', 'It was good…') and symmetry.
- Genesis 2–3 is a flowing narrative with dialogue, drama, and moral tension.

2. Creation of Humans
- In Genesis 1, humans are created last, male and female together, as the culmination of creation.
- In Genesis 2, man is created first, then animals, then woman from man’s side - suggesting a more relational and developmental view.

3. God’s Character
- Genesis 1 presents God as distant and powerful, creating by command.
- Genesis 2–3 shows God as intimate and personal, forming man from dust, breathing life, walking in the garden.

4. Theological Themes
- Genesis 1 emphasizes cosmic order, divine sovereignty, and the goodness of creation.
- Genesis 2–3 explores human freedom, temptation, disobedience, and the origin of suffering.

Why Two Stories?

- These accounts likely come from different sources and traditions, later redacted into a unified text.
- Genesis 1 (Priestly) may have been written during or after the Babylonian exile, emphasizing order and hope.
- Genesis 2–3 (Yahwist) is older, possibly from the early monarchy, focusing on human nature and moral struggle.

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