Genesis A Commentary

CHAPTER ONEBOOK 1The Account of the Heavens and the Earth (2:4-4:26)THEME OF BOOK 1The perspective now shifts from God as sole actor to humanity as reactor. The subtle change from "the heavens and the earth" (1:1) to "the earth and the heavens" (2:4b) may point to the shift in perspective.The account of the heavens and the earth records the drastic change from the pristine "very good" creation to the harsh realities now experienced outside the temple-garden. Through the Fall, sin and death enter the human race and the earth becomes cursed. Both humanity and the earth are in need of redemption.In the historical event of the Fall, Adam and Eve function as archetypes for humanity''s disobedience. The priestly guardians of the sanctuary are tested for their fidelity to their King. Obedience entitles them to life with God (cf. Deut. 30:15-20). Failure points to their need for justification and sanctification through the covenant of redemption established with and through Jesus Christ.OUTLINE OF BOOK 1Superscription 2:4aAct 1: Humanity on probation 2:4b-25Scene 1: Man on probation, 2:4b-17Scene 2: Gift of the bride, 2:18-23Epilogue, 2:24-25Act 2: The Fall and its consequences 3:1-24Scene 1: The Fall, 3:1-7Scene 2: The shape of judgment, 3:8-19Epilogue, 3:20-24Act 3: Escalation of sin in the line of Cain 4:1-24Scene 1: Cain and Abel, 4:1-16Scene 2: Lamech, 4:17-24Epilogue (Transition to Book 2) 4:25-26LITERARY ANALYSIS OF BOOK 1GenreLike the creation account, the account of the heavens and the earth has historical solidity. The story is based on events in time and space, a real Adam and Eve. But it is not merely a historical account. The style is artistic and figurative rather than scientific and literalistic. The scenes of creation are painted as an artist might envision them: God, as a potter, forming the man; as a gardener, designing a garden of beauty and abundance; and as a temple builder, raising the woman from the rib of the man.The suprahistorical dimension is also essential for the theology of this account. On this register, Adam and Eve represent every man and woman (Gen. 3:16-19; cf. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 5:12).4 They represent our own rebellion, fallenness, and need for God''s graceful redemption. This is as important as the historical dimension. Therefore, both the historical and the suprahistorical should be held in proper tension.Structure and PlotIn contrast to the static and balanced report of creation in the prologue, the account of the heavens and the earth unfolds like a drama with all the elements of scenic depiction, contrast, conflict, and climax. This is a drama of three acts opening with paradise, falling to despair, and resolving with a seed of hope.Each act opens with a setting and concludes with a poem (which captures the theme of the act), followed by an epilogue (cf. 2:23 with 24-25; 3:14-19 with 20-24; 4:23-24 with 25-26). The first act begins with Adam in a paradisiacal garden separated from the rest of creation. The garden is a temple, and its priest is the man with the woman to help him. Scene 1 features vegetation, which has a prominent role in the probation. Scene 2 presents the animals, which are important to the "gift of the bride." The poem concluding this act celebrates God''s gift of a wife.The second act begins with the crafty serpent. Against the backdrop of the same lush and holy garden, humanity forfeits its priestly role. Plants and animals together have important roles in this moment of decision for the protagonists. The act concludes with a poem of judgment and salvation.The third act begins outside the garden with the woman giving birth. The setting outside of the paradisiacal garden conveys humanity''s failure, but Eve''s childbirth conveys God''s grace and the hope that remains. The concluding poem of this act, Lamech''s song of revenge, forcefully depicts humanity''s escalating sin and violence.The first two acts are closely related by a chiasm:A Creation of man: his happy relationship wWaltke, Bruce K. is the author of 'Genesis A Commentary' with ISBN 9780310224587 and ISBN 0310224586.