Book Review: Reading Genesis One: Comparing Biblical Hebrew with English Translation

Authors: Rodney Whitefield
Spiritual Bias: Christian
Origins Bias: Old Earth Creationist
Rating: Top Shelf
Level: Advanced

Comments: The interpretation of Genesis One is perhaps one of the most controversial issues in origins today. Young earth creationists claim that the Bible says that God created the universe, our planet, and life in six twenty-four hour days. While old earth creationists believe that the Bible says that God created everything over six long periods of time. "Reading Genesis One" is a study guide for those interested in digging in a bit deeper than the surface on this issue. On a verse by verse basis it examines the Hebrew words, style, and tenses and establishes in convincing force two important conclusions. First, it demonstrates that Genesis One does not say that the Earth is "young". And second, it shows that Genesis One is consistent with the established physical history of our planet.

Books like this are important in educating Christians on the translational evolution of the Genesis One Hebrew text, so regardless of which perspective you share, I recommend this book highly. Note however, it is very thorough, and requires somewhat of an intellectual commitment to work through - as can be expected from a study guide.


Sample Quote(s): "This section provides additional evidence that the words "bara," "asah," and "yatsar" do not have the same or equivalent meanings. This issue is important because some interpreters of Genesis One attempt to position the events of Genesis 1:1-2 with the events of Genesis 1:3 and thereby obtain a "young" age of the Earth and the Universe. Typically, an age of 6,000 to 10,000 years is then asserted. As part of these arguments, the words "bara," "asah", and "yatsar" are claimed to have the same or equivalent meanings. Verse analyses which follow will show conclusively that the words are different."

"The word 'in' which appears in Exodus 20:11 and Exodus 31:17 does not appear in the Hebrew text of either verse. The insertion of the word 'in' into the translation of Exodus 20:11 significantly distorts the meaning of the verse. The 'in' appears italicized in the KJV. Typically, the reader of Exodus 20:11 is unaware that the 'in' is not in the Hebrew text."