REL 252: Study Guide 8

Harris: ch. 7

Gen 1–3 (cf Ps 8, 136, 148; Prov 8.22–31; Job 38)

What are the similarities & differences between the 2 creation stories in Gen (1.1–2.4a & 2.4b–3.24)? It would help to make a detailed list of all your observations. In particular, how do each portray God and human beings.

In either story, is there any textual hint about the state of things before or at the moment when God began to create? (Remember the Tanakh translation & NRSV as opposed to the KJV.) Does God create from nothing or something? If nothing, what does that mean? If something, what is that something?

What about the plural in Gen 1.26–27 (cf. Ps 82; Ex 15.11; 1 Kgs 22.19–23)

What is the overall effect that each story has on the reader?

What is the structure of the creation story in 1.1–2.4a? And in 2.4b–3.24?
 

	NB the structural beauty of 1.1–2.4a:
	Day 1: light (1.3–5) Day 2: the expanse (1.6–8) Day 3: land and sea (1.9–10); plants (1.11–13)	Day 4: lights (1.14–19) Day 5: animals of the water and air (1.20–23) Day 6: land animals (1.24–25); human beings (1.26–31)

Pay attention to the order of creation in each of the creation stories in Gen 1-3. What does the order in each version indicate to you?

What is the main purpose of Gen 1.1–2.4a? Gen 2.4b–3.24?

What is the significance of the creation of the woman in each account? Which do you find more appealing? Why?

Which story do you prefer, if any? Why?

Look up "tohu-bohu" in an English dictionary & figure out what it means & where the word comes from.

Also look up Leviathan and Rahab in the NOAB ("Religion" folder on the R-drive). You may have to play with it a bit, but try opening the OCB (Oxford Companion to the Bible), which is the blue icon at the top of the screen. If it's not already there at the top of the screen, choose "Add Book" form the "File" menu & open the "ocb.and" to open the OCB & then click on the blue icon. Then find the words & open the related articles.

With the Enuma Elish in mind (divine combat between Marduk & Tiamat) read Job 26.8–14; Ps 74.13-17; 89.5–10; Isa 27.1; 51.9–10 & see how these very old Israelite traditions "remember" creation. Look up Levtiathan & Rahab (not the woman, but the sea monster) in an encyclopedia or a Bible dictionary & see what they are. Any similarities with Tiamat in the Enuma Elish?

How should one interpret the statement in Gen 6.4 that "sons of God" married women? If you have time, look up "sons of God" in the Anchor Bible Dictionary in the library.

Can you point out moral practices in Gen of which we would disapprove today?