Biblical Hebrew Forum

["B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>]

Karl Randolph wrote:

> Genesis 2:4 is one of the poetic verses, with a mirror 
> image poetry loosely built into it. Therefore, the second 
> part doesn't split off to make a dependent clause.
>
> Further, Genesis 2:4 is the summing up verse that closes 
> the first chapter, it is not part of the second chapter at all.

Hi Karl,

I think you will find that the _'elleh toledot_ statements are at the 
beiginnings of their respective sections of Gen, not the ends.

It doesn't matter to me if you want to keep 2:4a together with 2:4b. 
2:4b still grammatically depends on what follows, not what precedes.

IOW, the _'elleh toledot_ statement is more like a heading than an 
integral part of the narrative.  The story really begins with 2:4b, and 
the plotline begins with 2:7.

Shalom,
Bryan

--
B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13026
(W): 315.437.6744