I need some Genesis help

[Scott Hilton]

I am reading Genesis 1:27 and I have been asked if there is a special meaning by the usage the word created/create three times within this passage. Does anyone know if this has a special meaning or if it might refer to something else? I am having a hard time finding something on this.

I am also asked why man was created last. I found a good answer to that one in a commentary about man not being able to take any credit for being part of the creation process this way, as we see in Job 38:4 . However, does anyone else have any other views as to why we might have been created last?

Thanks for your help and guidance.

Blessings
Scott

:basic01

[Ryan Scott]

I might be totally ignorant on this, but isn't that generally the order of every creation story? It seems most cultures have gods who come first and in some way create the world, followed by humans showing up later. Perhaps whoever wrote that part of Genesis was just trying to fit the style of the other creation stories floating around.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

I am reading Genesis 1:27 and I have been asked if there is a special meaning by the usage the word created/create three times within this passage. Does anyone know if this has a special meaning or if it might refer to something else? I am having a hard time finding something on this.

Simple poetry--three parrallel clauses. I think anything beyond this would be pure conjecture.

I am also asked why man was created last. I found a good answer to that one in a commentary about man not being able to take any credit for being part of the creation process this way, as we see in Job 38:4 . However, does anyone else have any other views as to why we might have been created last?


Possible answers:

1) It signifies the distinction and preemeninence of man. Man was the "crowning" achievement bringing creation to completion, so to speak. It may sound cliche but perhaps he just saved the best for last. :fav18

2) God's purpose in this creation was beings for relationship with him--namely, we humans. Thus, the rest of his creation was to prepare a place for us. God did the rest first in the same way a couple might prepare a nursery and stock it before the baby is born. (If there weren't fruit and beef, what would we eat for example? :rolleyes: )

3) Since God was creating by means of evolutionary processes, it is simple science that humans, being the most complex, would come last. :eek:

Wilson

[Scott Hilton]

Ryan,

I have no idea how to answer your question, lol.

Wilson,

I kinda had the same thoughts on the poetry portion, I just thought it was a style of writing. It just is throwing me off because these questions come from a bible study. The author of the bible study specifically asks what the significance is of using that three times. Like Ryan, I feel like I am ignorant on something and completely missing it.......those things tend to bother me. Not sure why I can't let a question go unanswered for a bible study, lol.

I also thank you for your thoughts on the second part, that is good stuff. I know a couple of theistic evolutionists that would have liked the third one, hah.

also a kudos on smiley usage, very nice :basic03

blessings
Scott

[Billy Cox]

I might be totally ignorant on this, but isn't that generally the order of every creation story? It seems most cultures have gods who come first and in some way create the world, followed by humans showing up later. Perhaps whoever wrote that part of Genesis was just trying to fit the style of the other creation stories floating around.

What Wilson said is accurate...and since I said so, you know it's true. :basic05

Anyhoo... The creation story has a theological back-story if you will. Remember that ancient Israel had recurrent problems with idolatry. The nations around them worshipped the sun, moon, stars, animals, plants, you name it. So by having God create everything else before creating Adam it is communicating these two things:

1. God IS the living God...everything else is not worthy of worship.

2. Mankind is created last, and is made in the image of God...setting us apart from the rest of the creation. So it would be silly to worship things that are lesser creations than us.

[Scott Hilton]

So, I am feeling pretty good about the second question thanks to ya'll. However, anyone have any thoughts on the three creates in verse 27?

[Marsha Lynn]

So, I am feeling pretty good about the second question thanks to ya'll. However, anyone have any thoughts on the three creates in verse 27?

Sounds to me like a classic example of the rhetorical Bible study question. The person who asks the question has already figured out an "obvious" answer for themselves, but you're unlikely to find it clearly stated in the actual scripture portion.

If you find out the answer let us know. (It is nicely poetic.)

:basic03

Marsha

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Sounds to me like a classic example of the rhetorical Bible study question. The person who asks the question has already figured out an "obvious" answer for themselves, but you're unlikely to find it clearly stated in the actual scripture portion.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet the author is trying to make this a Trinitarian formula but I don't see it that way.

Wilson

[Scott Hilton]

I am beginning to competely agree with both of what you said, Wilson and Marsha. Anyone have Frank Moore's email address? LOL

blessings
Scott

[Ryan Scott]

I assume the three times is a literary device, which would fit with the genre of those first few verses.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Anyone have Frank Moore's email address? LOL

Actually, I do: first initial and last name @mnu.edu :basic05

Wilson

[Scott Hilton]

That is cool Wilson, thank you!

[Wilson L. Deaton]

That is cool Wilson, thank you!

If you pursue this question with Dr. Moore, I (we) would be interested in his response....

Wilson

[Scott Hilton]

I just got done sending him an email, so I will let you know if he responds and what his response was.

Blessings
Scott

[Marsha Lynn]

I just got done sending him an email, so I will let you know if he responds and what his response was.

Blessings
Scott

Ah... the world is flat. This must surely change the nature of authorship.

:basic07

[Billy Cox]

I would defer that question to someone who knows what is going on in the original language.

[Scott Hilton]

Well, since I haven't gotten a reply from Mr. Moore......I think the question will be getting deferred period. Owell.

Blessings

[Scott Hilton]

alright, I have been working on the three created's and this is what I came up with. I feel pretty good about the first 2, but #3 is bugging me........


1. Created in His very image, gave man the capacity to relate spiritually (pre-fall) to God. The law of God was written in his heart (this did not change after the fall), and has a conscience which is not the case for the animals.
2. Male and female, both were created with His attributes. They were both made in His image. God has the characteristics of both man and woman. He has a woman’s tenderness and a man’s toughness, a woman’s intuition and mans logic, etc. Their (man and woman’s) characteristics are combined in God.
3. That He will be bestowed some kind of dominion as God has dominion over all. A reflection of God’s dominion over everything reduced in scale and put on man.

Let me know what you think......

blessings

[Marsha Lynn]

I would defer that question to someone who knows what is going on in the original language.

Does that mean that the author who posed the question was targeting small gatherings of Hebrew scholars?

:fav03

[Scott Hilton]

While I get annoyed with too much numerology stuff, I did find a site talking about the importance of the #3 being used in scripture. Not sure if I am buying it, but it is interesting. I will put a link to the site and give just a snapshot of what they said about the number 3.

snap shot:

a. something special about 3, does it reflect God’s purpose and will being done?
1a. Exodus 10:22-23 / Egypt in the dark for 3 days while Israelites in light
2a. 2 Samuel 21;1 / famine upon the reign of David as judgement against he blood of Saul.
3a. 1 kings 17:21 / Elijah stretched his body over the dead boy three times and he came back to life.
4a. Acts 9:9 / Paul was blind for 3 days before being able to see
5a. Acts 10:16 / Peters vision, repeated 3 times before the vessel was taken away
6a. 1 john 5:7 / three that bear record, the father, the word and the Holy Spirit.
7a. 2 Corinthians 12:8 Paul requests three times for the thorn to be removed
8a. Concerning the actions around Christ
-Jesus sat with the elders for 3 days
-three crosses
-three men crucified
-writings on cross in three languages
-Jesus prayed 3 times before crucifixion
-Peter’s denial 3 times
-three apostles went to the garden to pray
-Pilate sought 3 times to release Jesus
-Jesus was in the heart of the earth 3 days
-asked Simon three times if he loved Him

link to site - http://members.aol.com/twarren13/numbers.html

any thoughts?

Blessings
Scott

[Scott Hilton]

So, several study sessions down the road and I got my answer from his own text within a different study. He states "God's creative work is emphasized three times in verse 27 as a reminder that humanity and everything else on this earth did n ot spring to life by chance."

hmm, for some reason this is an unfulfilling answer what I thought he was looking for, but o'well.

Just thought I would share that with ya'll.

blessings
Scott

[Ryan Scott]

Yeah, I have to wonder if that answer was even enough to satisfy the author.

[Scott Hilton]

Maybe that is why he did not answer my email, lol

[Wilson L. Deaton]

Maybe that is why he did not answer my email, lol

Chelsie (my daughter) has him for Systematic Theology in the fall. Maybe I'll sic her on him. :basic05

Wilson

[Scott Hilton]

Go Chelsie!!

[Billie Goodson]

Seems to be somewhat poetical. Also, logical -- the who, the what, the how. God is the who, in his image the what, man and woman the how. I did find it interesting that some say that this verse contradicts other parts of the bible, because some interpret it that man and woman were created at the same time. However, I think the story lacks the when element, except for the sixth day aspect. I see no contradiction between the creation of woman here and in chapter 2 verse 21.

[Scott Hilton]

Hey he answered!

Scott,

Sorry for my delay in reply. Your email came just as we were gearing up for graduation events. I'm still catching up from that roller coaster ride.

I'm glad you're leading a Bible study. You'll find that God will empower you and you get in and get your feet wet in leading the group.

Don't make too much of the Genesis 1:27 question. For me, it reminds us that:

1. There is a God.
2. In opposition to the popular notions of current scientific teachings, God created everything in reality.
3. God performed a special work in creating humanity. That means that we didn't evolve from barnyard animals, and our great grand parents were not pond scum.
4. God created us in His image -- which opens a whole other discussion as to what that means. We bear the image of Creator God. Think of how we are different from barnyard animals to open that discussion.
5. God made us male and female, which speaks to much more than physical differences. Think of the many ways men differ from women. Think of how God expects us to take on gender roles and what sexuality means to our identity. Also, there's a whole discussion that says the image of the Trinitarian God is displayed in us as male and female. We, then, relate to other human beings as God relates to Himself.

So, there's a world of discussion topics (evolution, human sexuality, image of God, etc) in that 1 little verse. Hope that helps in your thinking. Keep up the good work.

frank

So, there you go!

Blessings
Scott

[Ryan Scott]

Well, I guess that's about what I expected from him. Oh well.