Chiastic Structure in Genesis

[Bobcat]

Sub-Chiastic Structures in the Jacob Narrative (Part 3: Genesis 32:1-35:29)


What follows are the sub-chiastic structures that make up the individual parts of the Jacob Narrative (Genesis 25:19-35:29). Many of the individual stories within the larger narrative are told using a symmetrical literary pattern. It appears that this was a standard way of formulating an account, perhaps as a memory aid, seeing how most people would hear these stories rather than having a personal copy of them.

In an extended chiasmus, such as the one of Genesis chapters 32 & 33 in the previous post, other chiastic structures may be encompassed. This next one is the entire chapter 32:

Genesis Chapter 32

Jacob's Encounters With God as He Prepares to Meet Esau (Gen 32:1-31)

A. The angels of God encounter Jacob -- place name changed to "Mahanaim" (Gen 32:1-2)

. . . B. Jacob sent messengers, listing possessions to Esau (Gen 32:3-8)

. . . . . . X. Jacob's prayer to the Yahweh (Gen 32:9-12)

. . . B^ Jacob sent messengers and gifts to Esau (Gen 32:13-21)

A^ A "man" opposes Jacob, blesses & changes name to Israel, Jacob renames place "Peniel" (Gen 32:22-31)

The next three are each a part of the 32nd chapter:

Mahanaim (Gen 32:1-13)

A. Laban's blessing (Gen 32:1)

. . . B. Mahanaim (two camps) (Gen 32:2-3) (מחנים)

. . . . . . C. Jacob's messenger (Gen 32:4-6)

. . . . . . C^ Esau's messenger (Gen 32:7)

. . . B^ Jacob divided the people, flocks, herds and camels, into two camps (Gen 32:8-9) (מחנות)

A^ Jacob's prayer (Gen 32:10-13)

Legend: A=Blessing and prayer B=Two camps C=Messages

Jacob Sends Presents to Appease Esau (Gen 32:14-22)

A. Jacob selects presents for his brother Esau (Gen 32:14-16)

. . . B. Go on ahead of me, but keep a space between one drove and the next (Gen 32:17)

. . . . . . X. Instructions for servants (Gen 32:18-21a)

. . . B^ Jacob intends to appease Esau with gifts, perhaps he will accept him (Gen 32:21b)

A^ So the gifts went on ahead of him, while he stayed that night in the camp (Gen 32:22)

Legend: A=Staying the night in the camp B=Gifts C=Instructions for servants

Jacob's Name Changed to Israel (Genesis 32:23-32)

A. Jacob did not cross the Jabbok that night, but remained alone (Gen 32:23-24a)

. . . B. A "man" wrestles with Jacob (Gen 32:24b-25)

. . . . . . C. The "man's" request to Jacob (Gen 32:26a)

. . . . . . . . . D. Jacob requests a blessing (Gen 32:26b)

. . . . . . . . . . . . E. The "man" asks Jacob his name (Gen 32:27a)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X. Jacob's name changed to "Israel" (Gen 32:27b-28)

. . . . . . . . . . . . E^ Jacob asks the "man" his name (Gen 32:29a-b)

. . . . . . . . . D^ The "man" blesses Jacob (Gen 32:29c)

. . . . . . C^ Jacob's response by naming the place "Peniel" (Gen 32:30a)

. . . B^ Jacob says that he has seen God "face to face" (Gen 32:30b)

A^ The sun rose upon Jacob as he crossed over Penuel alone (Gen 32:31-32)

Editorial note: In commemoration of Jacob's confrontation with God, the descendants of Israel did not eat the sinew of the hip because it was touched in the struggle. (Gen 32:32) Penuel is apparently a variant spelling of Peniel.

Additional note: See here for additional discussion of this passage.

Genesis Chapter 33

Jacob and Esau Meet (Gen 33:1-20)

A. Jacob fears and bows seven times to Esau (Gen 33:1-3)

. . . B. Meeting with Esau (Gen 33:4)

. . . . . . C. Esau asks about children (Gen 33:5-7) (הילדים)

. . . . . . . . . D. Esau accepts Jacob's gift (Gen 33:8-11)

. . . . . . C^ Jacob excused regarding children (Gen 33:12-15) (הילדים)

. . . B^ Esau returns to Seir (Gen 33:16)

A^ Jacob settles near Shechem, makes an altar to God (Gen 33:17-20)

Legend: A=Honor given B=Meeting and departure with Esau C=Jacob's children D=Esau accepts Jacob's gift

Genesis Chapter 34

The Rape of Dinah (Gen 34:1-31)

A. Shechem rapes Dinah, Jacob avoided conflicts (Gen 34:1-7)

. . . B. You can live among us; Hamor & Shechem's marriage proposal to Jacob (Gen 34:8-12) (תשׁבו)

. . . . . . C. Jacob's sons offer deceitful circumcision counter proposal (Gen 34:13-17)

. . . B^ They may settle among us; Hamor & Shechem's proposal to city (Gen 34:18-24) (וישׁבו)

A^ Jacob's sons pillage city, Jacob fears vengeance (Gen 34:25-31)

Legend: A=Shechem's sin and vengeance B=Hamor's negotiation C=Deceitful circumcision proposal

Note: See discussion here.

Genesis Chapter 35

Jacob Returns to Bethel (Gen 35:1-8)

A. 'Go to Bethel, build an alter to God' who appeared to Jacob while he fled from Esau (Gen 35:1) (ביתאל)

. . . B. Jacob hid them under the oak (Gen 35:2-4) (האלה)

A^ He went to Bethel, built an alter to God, cities feared God, did not pursue Jacob (Gen 35:5-7) (ביתאל)

. . . B^ Deborah was buried under an oak below Bethel (35:8) (האלון)

Legend: A=Going to Bethel B=Under an oak

The Covenant Renewed (Gen 35:9-15)

A. God blessed Jacob (Gen 35:9)

. . . B. Naming of Israel (Gen 35:10) (שׁמך)

A^ God blessed Jacob (Gen 35:11-13)

. . . B^ Naming of Bethel (Gen 35:14-15) (שׁם)

Legend: A=Blessing of God B=Naming

Deaths and Birth of a Child (Gen 35:16-29)

A. Death and burial of Rachel (Gen 35:16-20) (מתה)

. . . B. Journey of Israel (Gen 35:21)

. . . . . . C. Sin of Reuben (Gen 35:22a-22b)

. . . . . . C^ Twelve sons of Jacob (Gen 35:22c-26)

. . . B^ Journey of Jacob (Gen 35:27)

A^ Death and burial of Isaac (Gen 35:28-29) (וימת)

Legend: A=Death and burial B=Journey C=Sons of Jacob

Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

Sub-Chiastic Structures in the Joseph Narrative (Part 1: Genesis 37:2-42:38)


What follows are the sub-chiastic structures that make up the individual parts of the Joseph Narrative (Genesis 37:2-50:26). Many of the individual stories within the larger narrative are told using a symmetrical literary pattern. It appears that this was a standard way of formulating a story, perhaps as a memory aid, seeing how most people would hear these stories rather than having a personal copy of them.

Genesis Chapter 37

Joseph's Dreams of Greatness (Gen 37:2-11)

A. His brothers hated Joseph so much they would not greet him. (Gen 37:2-5)

. . . B. The dream of Joseph (Gen 37:6-7) (חלמתי)

. . . . . . C. So they hated him all the more because of his talk about his dreams (Gen 37:8) (שׂנא)

. . . B^ The dream of Joseph (Gen 37:9) (חלמתי)

A^ His brothers were wrought up against him (Gen 37:10-11)

Legend: A: Brothers hated Joseph B: Dreams of Joseph C: Brothers hated him all the more

Joseph Is Sold by His Brothers (Gen 37:12-36)

A. Israel cared about Joseph's brothers (Gen 37:12-14c)

. . . B. One man taught a way to Joseph (Gen 37:14b-17)

. . . . . . C. Joseph's brothers plotted to kill Joseph (Gen 37:18-22)

. . . . . . . . . D. Violence of Joseph's brothers (Gen 37:23-24)

. . . . . . C^ Joseph's brothers plotted to sell Joseph (Gen 37:25-27)

. . . B^ Midianites took Joseph to Egypt (Gen 37:28-30)

A^ Israel mourned Joseph (Gen 37:31-36)

Legend: A: Israel cared about sons B: Journey of Joseph C: Plot of Joseph's brothers D: Violence of Joseph's brothers

Genesis Chapter 38

Judah and Tamar (Gen 38:1-30) (See a link to a much more detailed discussion of this here.)

A. Birth of Judah's children (Gen 38:1-5) (ותלד)

. . . B. Stay as widow in your father's house until my son Shelah grows up (Gen 38:6-11)

. . . . . . C. Tamar got pledges from Judah (Gen 38:12-18) (ערבון)

. . . . . . C^ Judah couldn't get pledges back from Tamar (Gen 38:19-23) (הערבון)

. . . B^ Tamar more in the right than Judah, since he did not give Tamar to son Shelah. (Gen 38:24-26)

A^ Birth of Judah's children (Gen 38:27-30) (לדתה)

Legend: A: Judah's children B: Judah didn't give Shelah to Tamar C: The articles pledged

Genesis Chapter 39

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife (Gen 39:1-23)

A. Joseph put in charge of Potiphar's house because Yahweh remained with Joseph (Gen 39:1-6) (ויהייהוהאתיוסף)

. . . B. Temptation of Potiphar's wife (Gen 39:7-10)

. . . . . . C. Joseph's refusal (Gen 39:11-12)

. . . B^ Perjury of Potiphar's wife (Gen 39:13-20)

A^ Joseph was put in charge of the jail because Yahweh remained with Joseph (Gen 39:21-23) (ויהייהוהאתיוסף)

Legend: A: Yahweh remained with Joseph B: Evils of Potiphar's wife C: Joseph's refusal

Note: ויהי יהוה את יוסף (read from right to left) means "And was Yahweh with Joseph"

Genesis Chapter 40 & 41

Joseph Interprets Dreams (Gen 40:1-41:45)

A. Joseph was in charge of Pharaoh's courtiers (Gen 40:1-4a)

. . . B. Joseph interpreted the dream (Gen 40:4b-19)

. . . . . . C. Chief cupbearer forgot Joseph (Gen 40:20-23)

. . . . . . . . . D. Pharaoh's dream (Gen 41:1-8)

. . . . . . C^ Chief cupbearer remembered Joseph (Gen 41:9-13)

. . . B^ Joseph interpreted the dream (Gen 41:14-36)

A^ Joseph was in charge of Egypt (Gen 41:37-45)

Legend: A: Joseph's authority B: Interpretation of dream C: Chief cupbearer D: Pharaoh's dream

Children of Joseph (Gen 41:46-57)

A. Joseph traveled throughout the land of Egypt (41:46) (בכלארץ)

. . . B. Seven years of plenty (Gen 41:47-49) (בשׁבע)

. . . . . . C. Birth of Joseph's children (Gen 41:50-52)

. . . B^ Seven years of famine (Gen 41:53-55) (שׁבע)

A^ Whole world came to Joseph to obtain rations of grain (Gen 41:56-57) (בכלהארץ)

Legend: A: Joseph went to whole land, whole world came to Joseph B: Seven years' plenty and famine C: Birth of Joseph's children

Genesis Chapter 42

Joseph's Brothers' First Trip to Egypt (Gen 42:1-38)

A. Jacob did not send Benjamin with the rest (Gen 42:1-4) (בנימין)

. . . B. Joseph examined his brother (Gen 42:5-16) (קשׁות)

. . . . . . C. One brother to be confined to prison, the rest to take provisions home (Gen 42:17-20)

. . . . . . . . . D. Brothers repented their sin (Gen 42:21-23)

. . . . . . C^ Simeon was left, Brothers got grain (Gen 42:24-26)

. . . B^ Brothers spoke about Joseph's examination (Gen 42:27-34) (קשׁות)

A^ My son shall not go down with you (Gen 42:35-38) (בנימן)

Legend: A: Jacob did not send Benjamin B: Joseph's examination C: Conditional release D: Brothers repent their sin

Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

Sub-Chiastic Structures in the Joseph Narrative (Part 2: Genesis 43:1-50:26)


What follows are the sub-chiastic structures that make up the individual parts of the Joseph Narrative (Genesis Chapters 37:2-50:26). Many of the individual stories within the larger narrative are told using a symmetrical literary pattern. It appears that this was a standard way of formulating a story, perhaps as a memory aid, seeing how most people would hear these stories rather than having a personal copy of them.

Genesis Chapters 43 thru 45

Joseph's Brothers' Second Trip to Egypt (Gen 43:1-45:28)

A. Jacob ordered sons to go Egypt for food (Gen 43:1-2)

. . . B. Joseph asks about Jacob's family (Gen 43:3-7)

. . . . . . C. Judah's promise (Gen 43:8-10) (אערבנו)

. . . . . . . . . D. Take gifts to appease [Joseph], may God dispose him to be merciful (Gen 43:11-14)

. . . . . . . . . . . . E. Apologizing about returned silver (Gen 43:11-14) (כסף)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F. The Supper with brothers (Gen 43:26-34)

. . . . . . . . . . . . E^ Brothers were arrested because of silver goblet (Gen 44:1-13) (כסף)

. . . . . . . . . D^ God has uncovered your servants' guilt. (Gen 44:14-17)

. . . . . . C^ Judah acted to keep the promise (Gen 44:18-34) (ערב)

. . . B^ Joseph was concerned about Jacob (Gen 45:1-15)

A^ Jacob determined to go Egypt (Gen 45:16-28)

Legend: A: Going to Egypt B: Joseph cared about his family C: Judah's promise D: God's actions E: Returned silver F: Supper with brothers

Genesis Chapters 46 & 47

Jacob's Journey to Egypt (Gen 46:1-47:31)

A. God appears to Jacob (Gen 46:1-4)

. . . B. Jacob journeys to Egypt (Gen 46:5-27)

. . . . . . C. Joseph meets Jacob (Gen 46:28-34)

. . . . . . . . . D. Joseph’s brothers meet Pharaoh (Gen 47:1-6)

. . . . . . C^ Jacob meets Pharaoh (Gen 47:7-10)

. . . B^ Joseph cares for his family and Egypt (Gen 47:11-26)

A^ Jacob prepares to die (Gen 47:27-31)

Genesis Chapter 48

Jacob Blesses Joseph's Sons (Gen 48:1-22)

A. Manasseh and Ephraim became Jacob's son (Gen 48:1-7)

. . . B. Jacob wanted to bless Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 48:8-12)

. . . . . . C. Israel put right hand on Ephraim (Gen 48:13-14) (בימינו)

. . . . . . . . . D. Blessing for Joseph (Gen 48:15-16)

. . . . . . C^ Joseph protested that Israel put right hand on Ephraim (Gen 48:17-19) (ימינו)

. . . B^ Blessing for Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 48:20)

A^ I give to you, as to the one above his brothers (Gen 48:21-22)

Legend: A=Priority of Joseph's children B=Blessing for Joseph's children C=Right hand on Ephraim D=Blessing for Joseph

Genesis Chapters 49 & 50

Jacob's Last Words to His Sons (Gen 49:1-28) (With mother & birth order)

A. Assemble and listen, listen to Israel, your father (Gen 49:1-2)

. . . B1 Reuben (Gen 49:3-4) (Leah 1)

. . . B2 Simeon and Levi (Gen 49:5-7) (Leah 2, 3)

. . . B3 Judah (Gen 49:8-12) (Leah 4)

. . . B4 Zebulun (Gen 49:13) (Leah 10, + Dinah)

. . . B5 Issachar (Gen 49:14-15) (Leah 9)

. . . B6 Dan (Gen 49:16-18) (Bilhah 5)

. . . B7 Gad (Gen 49:19) (Zilpah 7)

. . . B8 Asher (Gen 49:20) (Zilpah 8)

. . . B9 Naphtali (Gen 49:21) (Bilhah 6)

. . . B10 Joseph (Gen 49:22-26) (Rachel 11)

. . . B11 Benjamin (Gen 49:27) (Rachel 12)

A^ All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said about them (Gen 49:28)

Legend: A=Israel speaks to sons B=Twelve brothers

Note: Wives/Servants=Leah/Zilpah, Rachel/Bilhah; For the age of the 12 boys at the entry into Egypt see note # 1 at the bottom of this post.

Jacob's Death and Burial (Gen 49:29-50:14)

A. Jacob asks to be buried in cave of Ephron the Hittite (Gen 49:29-33) (עפרון)

. . . B. Egyptians mourned him for seventy days (Gen 50:1-3) (שׁבעים)

. . . . . . C. Joseph begs for permission to bury Jacob (Gen 50:4-5)

. . . . . . . . . D. Pharaoh's permission (Gen 50:6)

. . . . . . C^ Joseph went to bury Jacob (Gen 50:7-9)

. . . B^ Joseph observed seven days of mourning for his father (Gen 50:10-11) (שׁבעת)

A^ Field that Abraham had bought for a burial ground from Ephron the Hittite (Gen 50:12-14) (עפרן)

Legend: A=Land brought from Ephron B=Period of seven C=Burying Jacob D=Pharaoh's permission

Joseph Forgives His Brothers (Gen 50:15-21)

A. Forgive the crime that we, the servants of your father's God, committed (Gen 50:15-17) (רעה)

. . . B. Let us be your slaves! (Gen 50:18)

A^ Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good (Gen 50:19-21) (רעה)

Legend: A=Forgiveness of sins B=Let us be your slaves

Joseph's Last Days and Death (Gen 50:22-26)

A. He lived a hundred and ten years (Gen 50:22-23) (מאה)

. . . B. Prophecy about brothers (Gen 50:24)

. . . B^ Will for brothers (Gen 50:25)

A^ Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten (Gen 50:26) (מאה)

Legend: A=Age of 110 B=Words towards the brothers

For additional information related to the Jewish tribal listings and the listing in Rev 7:5-8, see this post and this one.


Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

From the book, Reading the Wife/Sister Narratives in Genesis (Hwagu Kang), the author notices a pattern in the way the book of Genesis is structured (copied from here):

Passage . . . . . . . . .Toledoth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Type

Gen 1:1-2:3 . . . . . . Creation of Heaven and Earth . . . . Introduction

Gen 2:4-4:26 . . . . . Toledoth of Heaven and Earth . . . . Narrative

Gen 5:1-6:8 . . . . . . Toledoth of Adam . . . . . . . . . . . . Genealogy + Short Narrative

Gen 6:9-9:29 . . . . . Toledoth of Noah . . . . . . . . . . . . .Narrative

Gen 10:1-11:9 . . . . .Toledoth of Noah's Sons . . . . . . . . Genealogy + Short Narrative


Gen 11:10-26 . . . . . Toledoth of Shem . . . . . . . . . . . . Genealogy

Gen 11:27-25:11 . . .Toledoth of Terah . . . . . . . . . . . . Narrative (Abraham & Sarah) (Isaac & Rebekah)

Gen 25:12-18 . . . . .Toledoth of Ishmael . . . . . . . . . . . Genealogy

Gen 25:19-35:29 . . .Toledoth of Isaac . . . . . . . . . . . . .Narrative (Isaac & Rebekah) (Jacob & Rachel)

Gen 36:1-37:1 . . . . Toledoth of Esau . . . . . . . . . . . . . Genealogy

Gen 37:2-50:26 . . . .Toledoth of Jacob . . . . . . . . . . . . Narrative

Notice the repeating pattern in the "Type" column, with a break (of sorts) between what happens to Noah's sons and the specific genealogy of Shem. The Shem toledoth would then form the beginning of the patriarchal narratives. This is one of the author's contentions in his book. And it appears to be a valid one.

Compare also the repeating pattern that Gen 1:1-11:9 exhibits in this post.

I also added in the "wife/sister" aspect to the chart so you could see any possible pattern exhibited with that. The Isaac/Rebekah relationship actually begins within the Terah toledoth (Gen chapter 24), but most of the details of their life are told in the Isaac toledoth. So that they cover parts of two narratives. I haven't read enough of the book to grasp what the author is trying to establish with the three "wife/sister" relationships.

Just as a side note: Rachel was buried in the Promised Land. (1Sa 10:2) She died during the birth of Benjamin. (Gen 35:16-19; 48:7) Benjamin was about 26 when he entered Egypt with his family. (See note # 1 at the bottom of this post.) And Joseph was 39 when his family came to Egypt. So Rachel died when Joseph was about age 13.

It is becoming more apparent (to me at least) that the compiler of Genesis (or rather, the One who inspired him) saw the entire book of Genesis as a complete work, and not merely a collection of stories sewn together. There is an amazing organization to the whole book.


Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

I have the sub-chiastic structure to the Jacob and Joseph narratives in place:

Jacob Narrative: posts # 39, 40, 41

Joseph Narrative: posts # 42, 43

The sub structures for the Abraham Narrative (posts # 37, 38) are still under construction, so-to-speak. The post numbers for these have also been noted in the Genesis Index (link is below the username).


Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

I added some links and a note to this post. They tie in how "create" and "make/yield" are used to effect in Genesis chapter one. Also how the literary structure of Genesis chapter two parallels the structure used in chapter one.

Going by the literary structure it would appear to be the same writer for both chapters. Often some have maintained that chapter one and two are from separate sources. The similar structure in both would argue against that.


Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

I rearranged the bottom part of this post and added a note (# 4 - at the bottom of the post) that discusses the sources of the flood waters. Some may find that note of interest.

For me it represents how researching the literary structure of Genesis is paying off in better/clearer understanding.


Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

Here are additional links for discussion of mantle transition zone water:

New Evidence for Oceans of Water

There's as Much Water in Earth's Mantle ...

Rare Diamond Confirms ...

Google Search Results For ...

Ancient Earth Really Was a Water World; And a similar article here.

These links are related to a discussion of water sources for the Great Deluge in post # 5, at the bottom of that post in "Additional Notes" # 4 (here). (This link --> here, will take you directly to additional note # 4 at the bottom of the post. As far as I know it will only work on Chrome browser.)


Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Bobcat]

This post contains links to articles discussing Pangaea, the name given to a supposed ancient super-continent. Such a super-continent is possible Biblically based on the wording of Genesis 1:9-10. Post # 5 in this thread (here or here if you use Chrome browser), towards the bottom in "additional note" # 4, made reference to Pangaea and its corresponding super-ocean Panthalassa.

Pangaea - Wikipedia

Live Science: Facts About Pangaea

Britannica: Pangaea

Google Search Results: Pangaea

Awake Article: Continental Drift - g77 6/22 pp. 16-21 (Article on WOL; search for "Pangaea")

There is an interesting footnote (# 28) in the New English Translation at Gen 1:9 which reads:

sn Let the water…be gathered to one place. In the beginning the water covered the whole earth; now the water was to be restricted to an area to form the ocean. The picture is one of the dry land as an island with the sea surrounding it. Again the sovereignty of God is revealed. Whereas the pagans saw the sea as a force to be reckoned with, God controls the boundaries of the sea. And in the judgment at the flood he will blur the boundaries so that chaos returns.

The wording of the verse (Gen 1:9) could be scene as supporting the idea of an ancient Pangaean super-continent.

The comment in the footnote also sees the possibility that the Deluge returned the earth to its previous condition which may help to explain why such a super-continent no longer exists. Of course, that would also mean that geological estimates about how the continents drifted apart, and how long such a 'drifting' took, are much different than the timescale the Bible presents.

This also makes me wonder if, when God first formed the dry land, if He also foresaw the need to undo that arrangement and reshape the earth into its current continental configuration. Or, it could be that in His immense thinking ability, He foresaw every possible future outcome, which would have included one in which mankind and angels sin, with the resulting necessity of undoing His work at Gen 1:9-10.

It is possible that over time (supposing man did not sin) that the earth, with a single large continent, would have eventually reshaped itself due to tectonic forces into the configuration we now have (or something similar). This would have given animals and man time to easily spread throughout the planet before land masses became separated by large bodies of water.

Another thought that occurred to me was that if there continued to be some accelerated drifting of the continents after the flood, it might have given additional reason for God to force mankind to spread out against their wishes at the Tower of Babel. Under such supposed circumstances, if mankind delayed in spreading out over the earth, the accelerated (supposing, of course) drifting of the continents would have eventually made it much more difficult for humans to spread out over the whole earth. (Just a thought.)

And as one final thought for this post: A curious fact is that there are very few dinosaur fossils in the Middle East. (See, for example, here). It makes me wonder if, in God's purpose, these creatures served to help clear land from thousands of years of growing vegetation, and then, as humans were first created in (what we now know as) the Middle East, the dinosaurs were driven to more distant parts of the earth. All this would also possibly explain why Noah would not have needed to take them on the ark, as the flood waters would have effectively done what the dinosaurs were intended for.

The videos contained in this post are related to this subject, especially the first one.


Bobcat

Genesis Index
Return to Main Index

[Stranger]

It makes me wonder if, in God's purpose, these creatures served to help clear land from thousands of years of growing vegetation, and then, as humans were first created

Hi Bobcat,

Of course they did, and now humans are doing the more tedious work necessary to develop and accomplish the Grand Design. Soon enough though we won't be thinking about things such as they are and were. (Isa 65:17)



Stranger, (1Cor 2:16)