Genesis 1 has inspired deep study of Scripture and sparked intense debates amongst people of faith. Here are some thoughts from the Hebrew language and the ancient Near East Context to contribute to this age long discussion.

We address a number of topics

• Gap Theory
• How do we translate Genesis 1:1-2?
• What is the Hebrew behind “formless and void” (תהו ובהו)? What is this referring to?
• We look at where the original Hebrew words are used in the rest of the Hebrew Bible
• An early scholarly theory is that a loaded idea of “chaos” is behind these words
• How does the ancient Near Eastern context impact our understanding of Genesis 1? We discuss Ugaritic and Akkadian literature
• Is the Hebrew word for “deep” a direct allusion to Tiamat from Enuma Eliš?
• What does Genesis 1:1 -2 (in light of the different theories), teach us about God?

A book we mention in this episode:

“Creation and Destruction” by David Tsumura: https://www.amazon.com/Creation-Destruction-Reappraisal-Chaoskampf-Testament/dp/1575061066

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