Genesis 2:4-25
2:4
“These are the generations of . . . ” is the translation of “elleh toledot” in the
Hebrew
NIV translates “elleh toledot” as “This is the account of. .
.”
The “toledot” formula begins a new section. It is used a total of 10 times in Genesis.
The “toledot” formula is also used in 6:9; 10:1; 11:10, 27; 25:12, 19; 36:1, 9; 37:2.
The use of “LORD” or YHWH is used for the first time and is
combined with “elohim” (God)
“Elohim” was used in chapter one to refer to the majestic
God of creation.
“YHWH” is introduced in chapter two because man is going to
appear as one under the authority with God and living in a covenant
relationship with him. Through out the
OT “YHWH” is the covenant name of God.
There is one sentence in the Hebrew from 2:4b-7.
The conclusion and result of the long sentence is that God
forms Adam.
2:5
The earth is at this time a barren dessert:
1) no shrub – to grow
2) no plant – to grow
3) no rain – to cause the growth (YHWH
sent the rain)
4) no man – to do the work of caring
for the growth (Man cared for the growth)
There was a covenant relationship and a joint operation.
1) Rain was not enough and God did not
work the field.
2) Working the soil without rain was
not enough and Man could not send rain
2:6
“streams” or “mist” is the Hebrew word “ed” which could
refer to a mist, a river, a flood, a
cloud, a spring, etc.
Because the use of the phrase “came up from the earth” is
used it probably refers to:
1) Pressurized water under the
continental plates that created a mist or spray over the earth.
2) Underground rivers that surfaced
forming pools of water.
2:7
This verse concludes the long sentence that began in the
middle of verse 4.
“the man from the dust
of the ground” is
the translation of the Hebrew
“ha’adam min-ha’adama”
or “earthling from the earth”
“formed” is “yatsar” and is used often in
the OT of a potter (2 Sam. 17:28, Isa. 29:16; Jer. 18:2,3,4), of a ironsmith
with metal (Isaiah 44:12)
“Yatsar” means to shape or mold with something already in
existence.
In Gen. 1:26 God says, “Let us make (asah) man” (Use
existing material)
In Gen. 1:27 God says, “Let us create (bara) man.” (Create out of nothing)
2:8
In 2:4-7 YHWH is described as a “potter.”
In 2:8-9 YHWH appears as a “
“
1) The word “edinu” meant “plain,
flatland, wilderness, prairie.”
2) The word “
3) The root of “
4)
5) The garden was is in the
Man was placed in the garden “to work it and take care of
it.” (2:15)
The perfect, fertile garden needed to be worked.
Work is part of the perfect, sinless world that God created.
Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 36:35; Joel 2:3
2:9
The trees of the garden are impressive.
1) Pleasing to the eye
2) Good for food
Two specific trees are mentioned:
1) Tree of Life
2) Tree of the Knowledge of Good and
Evil
The Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil is mentioned only one more time in 2:17.
1) The emphasis here is “the knowledge of. . .” not the
existence of “good and evil”
The Tree of Life is mentioned again in Gen. 2:9;
3:22, 24; Prov. 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4 and Rev. 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19)
The fall of the garden is discussed in Ezekiel 31:15-18
What will happen if they eat from the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil?
There are four general suggestions. Three of the suggestions are wrong.
1) Sexual awareness – support for this
includes “to know” and they became aware of nakedness. The problems are many including God wanted
them to produce and God’s statement “they have now become like one of us” would
indicate that God was a sexual being.
Clearly God is not sexual and Adam/Eve were not wrong for being sexual.
2) Attainment of complete knowledge
(omniscience) but the attainment of knowledge began to decrease after this.
3) Refers to ethical and cultural
knowledge to form civilization.
4) Ability to decide for oneself a
course of action and make judgments. It
became moral autonomy.
a. Genesis 24:50 – Laban can not say
“to you bad or good.” The thing was
decided by God and man should not violate it.
b. Genesis 31:24, 29 – Can not say a
word to Jacob, either good or bad. Jacob
is returning to the promised land and Laban is not to interfere.
c. Deut. 1:39 refers to children who
have no knowledge of good and evil or have no ability to make their own
decisions. All of these verses are
dealing with people not having the right to voice their own authority.
d. What is forbidden man is the power
to decide what is in his best interests.
e. When man eats he will become like
God and man’s decisions will have an influence in the earth
f.
Man
did not know Good and Evil he only knew God.
Man could not sin and so could not fail because he only followed God and
God’s ways.
g. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil would indicate a separating from God’s authority and provision
Man will have as choice to make:
1) Trust and Love and so Obey God
2) Doubt God’s Love, Resent God’s
Control, Disobey God’s Word
Eden Rivers
2:15
“Put” is the verb “nuah” and means
“rest”. God caused Man to rest and fit
comfortably in the garden
“take care” is
“samar” means:
1) “watch the flocks” (Gen. 4:9)
2) “attend property (Gen. 30:31)
3) “protect people” (Gen. 28:15, 20)
4) Priest who carry out God’s
instruction (Lev. 8:35)
5) Taking care of the tabernacle (Num.
1:53; 18:5)
In 3:23-24 Man has failed to “samara” so cherubim do the
work of “guarding” or “samar”
2:16
“Commanded” is used here first in its 25 times in Genesis.
2:17
Man is only creation capable of crossing moral boundry
2:18
Unique account of the creation of woman compared to other
cultures and ancient religions and myths
This verse begins with “not good” indicating the importance
of this concept to the verse.
“Helper” is “ezer” and means “aid,
support.”
The Lord is the “helper” (“ezer”) in Psalm 20:2 and 121:1-2
The Lord “helps” (“ezer”) Moses in Exodus 18:4
“Helper” (“ezer”) obviously does not mean lesser but refers
to one able to provide what is missing.