Mythology - Chpt. 5 - Genesis

What is Genesis?

The first book of the Bible and Torah.

What do Genesis chapters 1–2:4 describe?

The creation of the universe over seven days.

What happens on Day 1?

God creates light and separates it from darkness, calling them Day and Night.

What happens on Day 2?

God creates the sky/expanse to separate the waters.

What happens on Day 3?

God separates the waters, creating dry land and sea, and causes plants and trees to grow.

What happens on Day 4?

God creates the lights in the sky to separate day and night and mark seasons.

What happens on Day 5?

God creates sea creatures and birds and commands them to be fruitful and multiply.

What happens on Day 6?

God creates land animals and then creates humans in his image and likeness.

What authority does God give humans on Day 6?

Humans are told to rule over fish, birds, and animals.

What happens on Day 7?

Creation is complete; God rests and blesses the seventh day, declaring it holy.

What ritual is connected to the seventh day of creation?

The Sabbath.

How does each of the first six days begin?

With God speaking and then the creation being fulfilled.

How does each of the first six days end?

With the formula of evening and morning followed by the day number.

What does God name in the creation story?

Natural phenomena such as Day, Night, Sky, Earth, and Sea.

What phrase emphasizes the goodness of creation?

“And God saw that it was good” or “very good.”

Why is the number 7 significant?

It symbolizes completeness.

How is Day 7 different from Days 1–6?

It does not begin with God's speech or end with the normal evening/morning formula, and it stands alone rather than being paired with another day.

How does the creation of humans differ from the creation of other living things?

Humans are created in God's image and likeness, setting them apart from other living beings.

Why is the creation of man significant?

It is the culmination of the first creation and the longest, most detailed part of the account.

Why are there two creation narratives in Genesis?

They serve different purposes and use different literary structures; they are not necessarily viewed as contradicting each other.

What is Hebrew poetic parallelism?

A literary technique where ideas are presented in corresponding or parallel pairs, such as general/specific ideas.

What is the Garden of Eden and two trees does it contain?

Humanity's first home with the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

What are the four rivers associated with Eden?

Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates.

What is man's purpose in the Garden of Eden?

To tend to the garden.

What is man's prohibition in Eden?

He must not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Why does God create a helper for Adam?

Because “it is not good for man to be alone.”

What privilege does Adam receive regarding the animals?

He is allowed to name the animals and birds.

How is Eve created?

She is created from one of Adam's ribs.

What does the creation of Eve etiologically explain?

The institution of marriage.

What are the three stages of temptation that the serpent uses?

Physical (the fruit is good for eating), aesthetic (the fruit is pleasing to the eye), and intellectual (the fruit is a source of wisdom).

What happens after Adam and Eve eat the fruit?

They become aware and shameful of their nakedness and try to cover themselves with fig leaves.

What is the serpent's punishment?

It is cursed to crawl on the ground and live in enmity with humans.

What is the woman's punishment?

Painful childbirth, desire for her husband, and being ruled by her husband.

What is man's punishment?

The ground is cursed, and he must work hard to produce food.

What punishment applies to everyone?

Banishment from Eden.

What guards the Tree of Life?

A cherubim and a flaming sword.

Who are Cain and Abel?

The sons of Adam and Eve.

What does Cain do after God favors Abel's offering and what does is demonstrate?

He becomes angry and kills Abel despite God's warning, demonstrating free will.

Who is Seth?

Another son of Adam and Eve and an ancestor of Noah.

How is creation characterized in Genesis?

Creation is repeatedly described as good.

What is a major focus of Genesis?

Humanity and the creation of humans.

Is Genesis primarily an overt justification for one god ruling over other gods?

No, because Genesis does not present a pantheon of competing gods.