Biblical Hebrew Forum

["K Randolph" <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Kenneth:

This is a grammatical question. It is well attested to on this forum
that Biblical Hebrew was largely tenseless in its verb forms, rather
they were aspectual. So this verse could just as well refer to the
animals that God had formed previous to forming man as a second
creation. The context of chapter one indicates a previous forming for
the animals.

The translation of "them" is English grammar, the Hebrew carries the
concept of each one. This is not an uncommon practice in Hebrew.

Karl W. Randolph.

On 7/4/06, kenneth greifer <greifer AT hotmail.com> wrote:
> Could Genesis 2:19 be about a second creation where G-d creates the animals
> again , but this time to let Adam pick a help-mate?
>
> Also, why does it say "...and He brought them to the man to see what He will
> call them...". I don't see the words "them" in the quote.
>
> I think it could have two other possible explanations. Maybe it says that
> G-d formed the creatures from the ground and then "...He came to the man to
> see what he will declare is his, and all that he will declare his, a living
> soul He (G-d) gave it." Maybe Adam was able to choose which animals would be
> domesticated .
>
> Or maybe it says "... and He came to the man to see what he will declare is
> his, and all that he will declare his is a living soul He (G-d) gave him."
> Maybe Adam did not want any of the animals as a help-mate, and all he
> declared is his is the soul G-d gave him in Genesis 2:7.
>
> I know everyone will say I am wrong, but the quote in Hebrew does not seem
> to say "them", so I don't think the usual translation is perfect either.
> Kenneth Greifer