This is good information that I just received. And while I don't disagree for the most part. They've inspired a lot of other questions. And yes for those of you who have been keeping track I am still not pursuaded that the first two chapters are the same story. I am looking for the answers to come from the text itself. In other words I would like as little of "man's" interpretation as possible. (respectfully) The text should and I believe does support itself. Hope that makes sense.
This is a response is to the question of the differences between the geanologies of Genesis chapters 4 and 5.
Well, let's see. . .
Genisis 4:1-2 states:
"Now the man had known his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, 'I have acquired a man with God.' And additionally she bore his brother Abel. Abel became a shepherd and Cain became a tiller of the ground."
Then we have in Genesis 5:3-4
"when Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he begot in his likeness and his image, and he named him Seth. And in the days of Adam after begetting Seth were eight hundred years and he begot sons and daughters."
I have these responses for you from the Jewish Sages. If you wish to check me, you can find this information in "The Stone Edition: The Chumash" published by Artscroll Mesorah:
In chapter 5, a new narrative begins, enumerating the generations from Adom to Noah. The geneology begins with Seth, for it was through him that the human race survived. Abel died without issue, and Cain's descendants perished in the Flood (Radak; Chizkuni).
When the Torah says "In his likesness" in 5:3, the verse mentions this to indicate that God gave Adam, who himself was created in God's likeness, the capacity to reproduce offspring who were also in this noble likeness. This is not mentioned concerning Cain or Abel because, since their see perished, the Torah did not wish to prolong the descriptions of them (Ibn Ezra; Ramban [Nachmonodes]).
I hope these explanations have answered your queary. :) These are what the Jewish Sages have said as explanation of the Bible/Torah. Their names are in perenthases at the end of both explanations.
It is very good to ask such questions, for how else are we to better understand the Bible?
What is or are the passages that clearly state that the first two chapters of the book of Genesis are the same story? That would be the same as in no differences at all.
Is there anyone who agrees that the chapters are different? :?:
Hello again, I've been away for a while. You're not on ignore. Since I have been gone for soooo long If any of you sent me a comment it has since been deleted. I apologize for that. Any way please send again if you like.
The first two chapters of the book of Genesis are [i]two[/i] different stories. [i]Read the chapters carefully[/i]. The sequence of events, as they unfold, are very different.
if you believe you are on the right track. here is the challenge. there is another perspective from which genesis can be understood. suspend belief... read the first two chapters understand them as two different stories. the proof is in the text. then and only then is correct too blend the stories together, as these chapters are historically recounted, but do so without omitting information or confusing principle characters etc.. it is possible don't throw away what you know.... it's a spiritual thing not really religion....
