Gen 2:1-3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 2:1-3: 2:1-3 Humankind is the high point of God’s creative acts (1:26-31 ), while day 7 is the climax of the creation week. When God rested , he endorsed all of creation—there was nothing more to do! This seven-day framework structured Israel’s week, with the seventh day as the precedent for their weekly Sabbath. The Sabbath was intended to celebrate God’s finished work; the seventh day would be set apart as holy and dedicated to the Creator, who also rested (see Exod 20:8-11 ; 31:12-17 ; cp. Matt 12:1-8 ; Rom 14:5-6 ; Col 2:16-17 ; Heb 4:1-11 ).

a2:1-3►

b1:26-31►

cExod 20:8-11►

d31:12-17►

eMatt 12:1-8►

fRom 14:5-6►

gCol 2:16-17►

hHeb 4:1-11►

i2:3►

jHeb 4:1-11►

k12:2►

l13:14►

‏ Genesis 2:1-3

Summary for Gen 2:1-3: 2:1-3 ^a Humankind is the high point of God’s creative acts (1:26-31 ^b), while day 7 is the climax of the creation week. When God rested, he endorsed all of creation—there was nothing more to do! This seven-day framework structured Israel’s week, with the seventh day as the precedent for their weekly Sabbath. The Sabbath was intended to celebrate God’s finished work; the seventh day would be set apart as holy and dedicated to the Creator, who also rested (see Exod 20:8-11 ^c; 31:12-17 ^d; cp. Matt 12:1-8 ^e; Rom 14:5-6 ^f; Col 2:16-17 ^g; Heb 4:1-11 ^h).
2:3 ⁱ The first six days of creation involved separation (light from darkness, day from night, water from dry land). The last act of creation separated what is ordinary from what is holy, thus laying the foundation for Israel’s worship. It also anticipated a coming age of rest (Heb 4:1-11 ^j; 12:2 ^k; 13:14 ^l).

• The absence of the usual “morning and evening” reflects the Creator’s willingness to enter into unending fellowship with humankind.