The Creation Account of Genesis 1

Overview

• Literary Craftsmanship: Genesis 1 is a carefully crafted literary masterpiece, using formulaic expressions and poetic devices.
• Purpose: The purpose is religious, not scientific, describing the universe from God's viewpoint as His dwelling place.

Structure and Themes

Numerical Sequence & Deliberation

• The structure follows a deliberate numerical sequence with precise information.
• Focus on 'what' and 'why' God created, not 'how.'

Comparison with Temple Architecture

• Genesis 1 structures the universe as God's cosmic temple.
• Purpose: To describe God as the creator and ruler, and humanity as His servants/priests.
• Parallels with Solomon's Temple:
  • Division between heavens and earth -> Matches the temple's Most Holy Place and Holy Place.
  • Order of creation events mirrors key features of the temple.

Specific Parallels

• Light (Genesis 1:3) -> Gold Lampstands (1 Kings 7:49)
• Separation of Light and Dark (Genesis 1:4) -> Doors of Olive Wood (1 Kings 6:31-35)
• Firmament (Genesis 1:6) -> Temple’s Ceiling (1 Kings 6:9)
• Gathering Waters (Genesis 1:9) -> Bronze Basin 'The Sea' (1 Kings 7:23)
• Trees Bearing Fruit (Genesis 1:11-12) -> Carvings of Palm Trees & Flowers (1 Kings 6:29)
• Lights in the Firmament (Genesis 1:14-18) -> Windows High Up (1 Kings 6:4)
• Animals (Genesis 1:20-25) -> Living Beings/Carobs (1 Kings 6:29)
• Humans (Genesis 1:26-30) -> Priests in Temple (1 Kings 8)

Significance

• Universe as God's House: The primary message is that the universe is God’s holy dwelling place.
• Supremacy of Yahweh: Emphasizes absolute supremacy of Yahweh as the only true God.
• Rejection of Other Gods: Declares the universe as Yahweh's temple with no other gods present.

Interpretation and Historical Context

Early Interpretations

• This understanding was seen by Jewish and Christian commentators as early as a century before Christ.
• Jewish Literature: Found in the Book of Jubilees, writings of Philo, Josephus, and commentaries from 3rd to 5th centuries.
• Christian Literature: Writings of Ephraim the Syrian, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Jacob of Sarug, Narsai, and Constantine of Antioch—all ranging from the 4th to 6th centuries.
• Byzantine Influence: Influential in Byzantine Christianity, art, and architecture (6th-8th centuries).

Validation of Interpretation

• Supported by passages describing the cosmos as God's holy dwelling place.
• The widespread and early nature of this interpretation suggests it is a natural, not modern, reading.