Is Genesis 1 narrating a precise chronological account of how God’s act of creation occurred? Are we required to view the days of Genesis 1 as literal 24-hour days that occurred in exactly that order? Some note the apparent chronological differences between Genesis 1 and 2 and conclude, “Of course not.”
What are the differences? Here are two.
I.) God’s creation of vegetation and humans:
- Genesis 1: God creates vegetation (day 3) then humans (day 6).
- Genesis 2: God creates man then vegetation (vv. 5–7).
Here are two main ways of harmonizing this difference.
First, translate the Hebrew word erets in Genesis 2:5 as land not earth. The ESV takes this approach: “When no bush of the field was yet in the land” (v. 5). That would mean Genesis 2:5-7 is focused only on a particular piece of land where vegetation had not yet grown, and therefore, it does not contradict the order of events in Genesis 1.
It’s true that erets can = earth or land, but most major versions translate erets as earth in verse 5 because in verse 4 it’s used to refer to the entire earth.
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens (v. 4 NIV).
Notice that the ESV, which translates erets as land in verse 5, translates it as earth in verse 4.
4These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens. 5 When no bush of the field[a] was yet in the land[b] and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground (vv. 4–5).
(In the footnote the ESV indicates that land can also be translated as earth.)
Second, add the word “had” to Genesis 2:8.
Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed (NIV).
The word had is not in the Hebrew of Genesis 2:8 and the NIV is unique in adding it. Adding had makes it seem like the garden was planted prior to the creation of the man, and therefore, the order of events remains the same as Genesis 1: vegetation then humans.
II.) God’s creation of animals and humans:
- Genesis 1: God creates animals (first part of day 6), then male and female humans (second part of day 6).
- Genesis 2: God creates the man, then animals, then the woman.
Can you think of how to harmonize that chronological difference?
If these differences should stand, perhaps we should not interpret the days of Genesis 1 in a strict chronological fashion.
*For more self-study lessons on Genesis see the courses below.
After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. For a deep dive into church history and the character of God, see my book Surprised by Hell.
Chapter 2:1 says: “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array” It seems to indicate that the earth has already been formed and the following verses are meant to be added to chapter 1, with more detail. Chapter 2:5-7 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth … there was no one to work the ground,.. THEN the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life