Literary Structure of the Creation Account

The opening overture to the book of Genesis (1:1-2:3) is presented in a parallel structure. The vertical relationships point to the two great creative acts of God, forming and filling. The horizontal relationships represent three areas of activity: light (days 1 and 4), sky and sea (days 2 and 5), and land (days 3 and 6). The two creative acts (“God said…”) on day 3 provide a climax of the first 3 days and the three creative acts on day 6 point to the creation of mankind as the climax of creation. The days of creation are arranged in this way to demonstrate their thematic relationship, rather than a chronological relationship.

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

Forming

Filling

3

And God said, “Let there be light,” And there was light

        God saw that the light was good

        He separated the light from the darkness

        God called…”day”…”night”

evening/morning—the 1^st day

14

And God said, “Let there be lights”…And it was so

        God made two great lights/stars

         God saw that it was good

evening/morning—the 4^th day

6

And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water”… And it was so

        God called…”sky”

evening/morning—the 2^nd day

20

And God said, “Let the waters teem…and let birds fly”

      God created the great creatures of the sea…and every winged bird

      God saw that it was good

      God blessed them…”Be fruitful…”

evening/morning—the 5^th day

9

And God said, Let the water…be gathered…and let dry ground appear.” And it was so

        God called…”land”…”seas”

        God saw that it was good

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation”…And it was so

        God saw that it was good.

evening/morning—the 3^rd day

24

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures”…And it was so

      God made the wild animals…, livestock, all creatures that move on the ground”

      God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image”

      God created mankind in his own image

      God blessed them…”Be fruitful…”

Then God said, “I give you…food.” …And it was so

      God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.

evening/morning—the 6^th day

2:1

Heavens and earth were completed. …On the seventh day he rested.

God blessed the 7^th Day

3