In the Beginning...

Genesis 2:5-8 - creation of Adam,the first man

Genesis 2:7
...the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. NIV
Then the Lord God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live. TEV
U
T


Dr. Nelson finds God's hands taking the dirt (earth, clay) and molding it, like on a potter's wheel, producing a man who is initially holy (set aside for a special purpose) and perfect.

(ren)
Dr. Nelson finds a man arising from the dirt (earth, clay) as great and good.

(yin / imprint)
God imprints his image on the first man.

The old characters of (shi / God) + (tu / dirt - reflecting mankind's origin) combine to the newer (she / community, society). It is often combined with (hui / assemble) as (shehui / society). Modern societies generally forget that in the beginning the original society was formed with God beside his human creations (dirt symbol).

Back, Next
Beginning, Oracle Bones, God, Water, Earth, Mankind, Adam, Eve, Good Tree, Bad Tree, Penalty, Clothes, Lamb, Gate, Murder, Flood, Lifespans, Scattering, Border Sacrifice, Genesis 1 to 11