Is the difference of wording in Genesis 1 & Genesis 2 important?

[LDSChristian]

In Genesis 1 you constantly see: "And God", " And God said, let us"

In chapter 2 and other chapters afterward the wording changes from just "God" to "Lord God".

In chapter 3, the serpent is the only one to refer to Christ as just "God" and not "Lord God".

Is there a significance?

[Justice]

Hmmm... something to think about. I'll get back to you.

[rameumptom]

Genesis 1 and 2 are two versions of the Creation story. Some LDS leaders have suggested that they represent the spiritual and physical creations. Scholars show that these two were written by early Israelites with slightly different understandings of history, and then combined. This theory is called the Documentary Hypothesis. In it, the two earliest authors of our Bible (as we have it), are called E (for Elohist) and J (for Yahwist/Jehovah). J is the earliest of the writers, with E only a few decades later, both writing in the timeframe around the division of Israel into two kingdoms (days of Rehoboam).

Both had slightly different stories to tell, and so we can separate out their stories in Genesis (and the other books of Moses) via a few methods: E only names Elohim, and J only names Jehovah, for instance. E is a strong supporter of ancient prophets living in the wilderness and of Moses; while J supports David and the temple priests.

So, in this instance, we have two creation stories, each supporting a different set of values.

[LDSChristian]

Genesis 1 and 2 are two versions of the Creation story. Some LDS leaders have suggested that they represent the spiritual and physical creations. Scholars show that these two were written by early Israelites with slightly different understandings of history, and then combined. This theory is called the Documentary Hypothesis. In it, the two earliest authors of our Bible (as we have it), are called E (for Elohist) and J (for Yahwist/Jehovah). J is the earliest of the writers, with E only a few decades later, both writing in the timeframe around the division of Israel into two kingdoms (days of Rehoboam).

Both had slightly different stories to tell, and so we can separate out their stories in Genesis (and the other books of Moses) via a few methods: E only names Elohim, and J only names Jehovah, for instance. E is a strong supporter of ancient prophets living in the wilderness and of Moses; while J supports David and the temple priests.

So, in this instance, we have two creation stories, each supporting a different set of values.

So the Bible actually teaches 2 versions of the creation?

[mordorbund]

I don't think of Gen 2 as a second creation story. I think of it as the creation of the garden eastward in Eden, along with the placing of man and animals in it. For the creation, there was a creation council, headed by Elohim, Jehovah, and Michael. When it came time to create man and place him in the garden, it is just Jehovah and Elohim. It's like when the presidency changed, the name changed too.

[LDSChristian]

I don't think of Gen 2 as a second creation story. I think of it as the creation of the garden eastward in Eden, along with the placing of man and animals in it. For the creation, there was a creation council, headed by Elohim, Jehovah, and Michael. When it came time to create man and place him in the garden, it is just Jehovah and Elohim. It's like when the presidency changed, the name changed too.

In other words Genesis 2 is specifying the fact that it was Jesus Christ, our Lord our God, who created all things and Genesis 1 is more along the lines of teaching how we're created by Christ in God the Father. I just thought the wording in those chapters would be interesting to bring up.

[Jason_J]

Argh, i can't remember which book I read it in, but I think I remember reading (from a LDS book) that after the Fall, the change to "Lord God" was to show that instead of dealing with the Father (God), the people were now dealing with Jehovah, the Mediator, the Lord God.

[volgadon]

Sounds like Doctrines of Salvation or somesuch.

[rameumptom]

Well, we have the explanations of Bible scholars, and then the explanations of a few GAs that were trying to make sense of it, without being experts in the field.

Not only are the Creation stories in Gen 1 and 2 different, so are the Creation stories in the Book of Abraham, Book of Moses and the temple. Just check on the order of the things created, and you'll see differences, for example.

[prisonchaplain]

One understanding is that Gen. 1 is a broad description of creation, whereas chapter 2 is a retelling that zeros in on the creation of humanity. Apparently this technique is not uncommon in Hebrew literature.

[Justice]

Indeed. It's also interesting how the story in Genesis 2 seems to concentrate on the events in the Garden of Eden.

I love how it says "God planted a garden..." That tells me something about God, that maybe He loves to plant and grow things that are beneficial to man. I'm betting He enjoyed many of the things that were in the garden as well. He enjoyed the life it brought, the fragrances, the tastes and the sights.

He seemed to like to do it the old fashioned way, when it came to specific gardening. Maybe it's just me that sees it this way. I find gardening relaxing myself.

[LDSChristian]

Indeed. It's also interesting how the story in Genesis 2 seems to concentrate on the events in the Garden of Eden.

I love how it says "God planted a garden..." That tells me something about God, that maybe He loves to plant and grow things that are beneficial to man. I'm betting He enjoyed many of the things that were in the garden as well. He enjoyed the life it brought, the fragrances, the tastes and the sights.

He seemed to like to do it the old fashioned way, when it came to specific gardening. Maybe it's just me that sees it this way. I find gardening relaxing myself.

I think the words in Genesis 2:2 are interesting.

"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made."

It's interesting because it says even God rested. By how merciful He is, how long He's given people to repent, and Him resting it seems like God is a very relaxed being.