Was Adam created before animals?
Problem: Genesis chapter I declares that animals were created before humans, but Genesis 2:19 (NIV) seems to reverse this, saying, “Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.” This verse implies that Adam was created before these animals were created. Is this not a contradiction?
Response: Some English versions, including the KJV, ASV, RSV, and NASB, translate the first verb (Heb. wayyiqtol) in Genesis 2:19 as simply “formed,” leaving the reader with the impression that there is indeed a contradiction between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. Other translations versions however render the verb as an English pluperfect, “had formed,” which resolves the apparent contradiction.
It is worth noting that in reading the Bible we must always take note of the preface. In this understanding, Gen 1:1–2:3, must first be seen as a preface to chapter two. This is to say that Genesis 1 provides the order of events as far as creation is concerned, while Genesis 2 provides much more details about creation. Every detail provided in chapter two must be looked at in reference to the provisions of chapter 1.
Again, Genesis 2 does not contradict chapter 1 since it does not affirm exactly when God created the animals. The verse is simply saying that God brought the animals which He had had already created to Adam so that he might name them. The focus in chapter 2 is on the naming of the animals, not on creating them.
References:
Geisler N and Howe T. (1992). A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties. Victor Books
Peachey R. (2019). Pluperfect: The Right Solution for the Genesis 2:19 “Problem” https://creationbc.org/index.php/pluperfect-the-right-solution-for-the-genesis-219-problem/
Apostle Benedict Eghan is a Minister of the Gospel with The Church of Pentecost and is currently the Resident Minister of Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Tesano. He also doubles as the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye. Read More…
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Very Engaging