Gen 2:7 | TNotes | STEP | 2:7 In 1:1–2:3 , creation happens at a distance, by divine command (“Let there be ... and that is what happened”). In this account, the creative act is much more intimate (see also 2:8-9 , 21-22 ). • from the dust of the ground: In Hebrew, ’adamah (“ground”) forms a wordplay with ’adam (“man”). The earth remains the definitive reference point for humans, who in death return to dust (3:17-19 ; 4:11 ; Job 4:19 ; 10:8-9 ; Isa 29:16 ). • breathed ... into the man’s nostrils: God’s breath is not imparted to other animals; only humans are formed in God’s image (Gen 1:27 ) and enjoy dialogue with their Creator (2:16-17 ; 3:8-13 ). They alone have spiritual awareness and moral conscience (see Job 32:8 ).

a2:7►

b1:1–2:3►

c2:8-9►

d21-22►

e3:17-19►

f4:11►

gJob 4:19►

h10:8-9►

iIsa 29:16►

jGen 1:27►

k2:16-17►

l3:8-13►

mJob 32:8►

‏ Genesis 2:7

2:7 ^a In 1:1–2:3 ^b, creation happens at a distance, by divine command (“Let there be ... and that is what happened”). In this account, the creative act is much more intimate (see also 2:8-9 ^c, 21-22 ^d).

• from the dust of the ground: In Hebrew, ’adamah (“ground”) forms a wordplay with ’adam (“man”). The earth remains the definitive reference point for humans, who in death return to dust (3:17-19 ^e; 4:11 ^f; Job 4:19 ^g; 10:8-9 ^h; Isa 29:16 ⁱ).

• breathed ... into the man’s nostrils: God’s breath is not imparted to other animals; only humans are formed in God’s image (Gen 1:27 ^j) and enjoy dialogue with their Creator (2:16-17 ^k; 3:8-13 ^l). They alone have spiritual awareness and moral conscience (see Job 32:8 ^m).