The first creation account

Question 1

Pentateuch

Answer 1

1st 5 books of the Hebrew Bible

Question 2

Genesis 1-11

Answer 2

Collection of narratives called the primeval history of creation, which came to its final form ~6th century BCE

Question 3

What genre is the creation accounts?

Answer 3

Symbolic poetry

Question 4

What is symbolic poetry?

Answer 4

Not meant to be a scientific/historical retelling, but meant to convey theological truths

Question 5

Babylon-

Answer 5

One of the leading empires at the time (7th/6th century BCE). Nebudchanezer attacked Jerusalem three times, forced them to move to babylon in the babylonian exile, where God’s people were immersed in Mesopotamian culture.

Question 6

When was the babylonian exile?

Answer 6

586/7 BC

Question 7

Enuma elish-

Answer 7

Hallmark story of creation for mesopotamia, likely served as inspiration for Genesis

Question 8

What were the messages Genesis tried to convey as a response to enuma elish?

Answer 8

God is Lord, Marduk is not. God is a better, more ordered/peaceful creator, and more powerful creator.

Question 9

Things unique to Genesis

Answer 9

Humans made in God’s image, creation is described as good, God is all powerful, God always existed, and is transcendent

Question 10

Thing present in Genesis and Enuma Elish

Answer 10

Creation of humans, heaen, powerful gods

Question 11

Things unique to EE

Answer 11

Humans are savages, violence, humans created to serve gods, gods create from stuff (first mover), polytheism, kings are made in the image of gods