Re: [asa] The Hebrew for the Making of Man

Here is more on what I gather is the "standard" scholarly interpretation of
why Gen. 1:16 does not use the Hebrew words for Sun and Moon, and the general
polemical nature of the way the 4th-day creation of sun, moon, and stars is
stated.
 
Quoting Conrad Hyers book on Genesis 1-3 "The Meaning of Creation" (p. 21):
-------------------
This religious meaning is conveyed very pointedly in Genesis 1:14-19 by the
way in which sun, moon, and stars are treated. The normal Hebrew terms for sun
 and moon (shemesh and yareah) are not used, for they are closely related to
the Canaanite (Ugaritic) terms for the sun-god and moon-god. The Hebrew term
for sun is also related to the Akkadian term for the sun-god (shamshu). Thus
descriptive terms having no possible association with divinity are used
instead: "the greater light (ma'or gadol) to rule the day" and "the lesser light
(ma'or qaton) to rule the night" (vs 16).
 
The reference to the stars represents the same kind of linguistic usage. The
stars are mentioned almost as an afterthought, and in the most minimal
manner possible: "he made the stars also." ... The stars and planets (both are
included under the term) and especially Venus, the evening and morning star,
were important zones of divinity in ancient religion. The development of
astrology added further to this importance. ... It is relative to *this* problem of
the supposed relationship between human fates and the stars that the biblical
discussion of the stars is offered; namely, no discussion at all. The stars
are mentioned in the barest and most offhand manner possible, in contrast with
their prominence in polytheistic religion and astrology.
------(end of Hyers quote)------------
 
Certainly the religion of the Canaanites was a real and present danger which
God (in inspiring Genesis 1) might want to "put in its place" (not divine,
just some lights that the one God made) for the edification of his people.
 
Allan (ASA Member)
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Dr. Allan H. Harvey, Boulder, Colorado | SteamDoc@aol.com
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Received on Sat Feb 2 00:01:51 2008