Genesis 1:1–2:3: Creation Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering the structural themes, repeated phrases, and theological implications of the Genesis creation account.

Primeval History

The section of Genesis 1–11 that provides a wide-lens, macro picture of God’s purposes for the world.

Genesis 12–50

The portion of Genesis described as a narrow-lens, microcosmic drama of God’s promises passed down through the generations of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Humanity's Commission

The command to populate the earth as God's image-bearers and to serve as the pinnacle of earth's creation.

Days 1–3

The period of creation during which God forms the earth.

Days 4–6

The period of creation during which God fills the earth.

"And God said"

A repeated phrase in Genesis 1 that emphasizes the creative power of God’s word, which creates everything that exists.

"God saw that it was good"

A refrain throughout Genesis 1 (Gen. 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25) that culminates in the assessment that everything made was "very good" (Gen. 1:31).

Sabbath rest

The climax of the week of creation on the seventh day (Gen. 2:3), which hints at the purpose of creation as a divine sanctuary.

Temple building

An activity associated with divine rest in ancient Near Eastern accounts and elsewhere in the Old Testament, comparable to God's Sabbath rest.

Gospel Glimpse: Jesus as the Word

The revelation that the Word active in creation (John 1:1–3) became flesh as a Person to come and save (John 1:14).

Sabbath (Gospel Pattern)

In the gospel, the pattern is rest then work ($1\,Cor.\,15:9–10$), whereas in creation, the pattern was work then rest.

Image of God

The status of humanity expressed through rational and relational power and in ruling and subduing creation, fully reconstituted in Jesus Christ ($2\,Cor.\,4:4$).

Second Adam

A title for the Son of Man (Jesus) who, unlike the first Adam, successfully subdues the beasts and the serpent ($Mark\,1:13$; $Rom.\,16:20$).

Spiritual progeny

The New Testament transformation of the call to "be fruitful and multiply," focusing on the increase of the word of God ($Acts\,6:7$).

Trinity in Creation

The presence of God the Father as Creator, the Spirit (v. 2), and the Word (v. 3) at work in the opening chapter of Scripture.

"Let us make man in our image"

The plural phrasing in Genesis 1:26 that serves as a glimpse of the Trinity in the creation of humanity.