Genesis Chapter 2, part 1

Tuesday, 01 July 2008

Continuing the study of Genesis 1-11, we're on to chapter 2 and my personal translation. I have continued to use "the Earthling" in places where Adam is traditionally used. I will do this as long as the Hebrew uses the definite article, "the Adam", since in that case it isn't a proper name but a designation. Remember that "earth" in this chapter doesn't represent the planet earth, but adamah, "soil". I also remind you to read the passage several times in whatever versions you would like, looking for things you might not normally notice. Also, try to read it out loud at least once if possible. It may also be good to make comparisions between Gen. 1 and Gen. 2. What do you notice in terms of similarities and differences?

Here is the translation:

These are the generations of the Skies and the Land in their creation, in the day YHWH Elohim made Land and Skies...

It was before any bush of the field was in the Land and before any plant of the field had sprouted because YHWH Elohim had not caused rain upon the Land and there wasn't an Earthling to serve the earthen soil. A mist came up from the Land and gave drink to all the surface of the earthen soil. But YHWH Elohim formed like pottery the Earthling of dust from the earth. He breathed into his nose the breath of life, and the Earthling became a living soul

And YHWH Elohim planted a Garden in Eden from Ancient Times, and placed there the Earthling which he had formed. Then YHWH Elohim caused to sprout from the Land every tree desireable in appearance and good for food, the Tree of Life in the midst of the Garden, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad.

A river went out from Eden to give drink to the Garden, and from there it separated itself and became four heads. The name of the one Pishon. It went around all the Land of Chavilah, which has gold, and the gold of that land is good. There is also bdellium and onyx stone. The name of the second river is Gihon. It rounds all the land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hideqel, the Tigris. It goes east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

And YHWH Elohim took the Earthling and caused him to rest in the Garden of Eden to serve it and preserve it. YHWH Elohim commanded upon the Earthling, saying “From every tree of the Garden eating you may eat, but from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad you will not eat from it, for on a day you will eat from it dying you will die.”

Then YHWH Elohim said, “It is not good for the Earthling to be alone. I will make for him a help as his other side." So YHWH Elohim from the earthen soil formed like pottery every Animal of the Field and every Flyer of the Skies, and brought each to the Earthling to see what he will it. And whatever the Earthling called it, each living soul, that was it’s name. The Earthling called names to all the beasts and to all the Flyers in the Skies and to all the animals of the field, but for the Earthling there wasn't found a helper as his other side. So YHWH Elohim caused a deep sleep to fall upon the Earthling, and He took one from his ribs and filled it's place in with flesh. YHWH Elohim built the rib which he took from the Earthling into a Woman, and brought her to the Earthling. And the Earthling said, “This time it is bone from my bone and flesh from my flesh. I will call this one 'Woman' because from 'Man' this one was taken. Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother and cling to his woman, and they will be one flesh.

The two of them were naked, the Earthling and his Woman, and they were not ashamed. (Gen 2:4-2:25 JKDV)

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