Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter_Kirk AT SIL.ORG]

My feeling would be that this is an idea which can continue no further 
than the middle of Gen 1:2, for how do you fit "the deep" and "the 
waters" into this picture? Even if you can explain this, verses 3 and 
following give a clear worldwide perspective, in verse 16 reaching to 
the heavens also. Now you could perhaps argue (as Lloyd Barre does 
with his Deuteronomy passage) that 1:1-2a is an earlier fragment with 
a different theology, but it is quite clear that in its present 
context of the whole of Genesis 1 this refers to the whole earth and 
not just the land of Israel.

Peter Kirk



______________________________ Reply Separator 
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Subject: the land
Author:  jwest AT Highland.Net at internet
Date:    21/01/1999 09:40


Is anyone aware if it has been argued in the literature that Gen 1:1 refers 
not to the creation of the universe- but to the creation specifically of the 
dwelling place of god (heavens) and Israel (land)(not "earth"). 
Specifically, is it possible that the author of Gen 1 has the same 
fascination with the "land" that later tradents possessed?  Is it possible 
that the focus of Gen 1 is NOT the whole wide world but merely the Land 
which God will give to Abraham's descendents?

"In the beginning, God created the heavens (his own dwelling place) and the 
Land (our space)... and the Land was formless and void, (empty)... and God 
filled it with us...." etc.

As we all know, the Biblical picture oft repeated is the filling of the Land 
with God's own- in spite of the fact that the Land already had inhabitants. 
The  Land portrayed as empty and in grave need of filling- but only by the 
descendents of Abraham.

This concept is merely in germination stage- so if ya wanna heap oil on it 
to kill it out please do.  If it has already been suggested and obliterated, 
please let me know.

Thanks,

Jim

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jim West, ThD
Quartz Hill School of Theology

jwest AT highland.net
http://web.infoave.net/~jwest


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