Fellow believers- check this out?

Question

Genesis 2:4-"This is the history of the heavens and the earth...." The word history was numbered for reference in the center column, so I looked at it and it said "toledoth" meaning vast generations. I consulted with a jewish friend of mine about this (he speaks Hebrew, Latin, and Greek), and he said that he has been waiting a very long time for a believer to notice this (A gentile, as he likes to joke with me) because he says it is rather naieve to believe that the earth was created in six literal days. He said that most Christians need to really learn much more about Hebrew words and phraseology to better understand Genesis. He told me to buy a book called "The Science of God" by Geophysicist Dr.Gerald Schroeder who is also a devout believer in God. He said it will be the last book I ever buy besides, of course, my next semester college books. Your thoughts, please.

Answer 1

That's awesome.
As Christians we try to take the Bible as utterly as possible putting some faith in the translations as inspired by GOD. If this toledoth is best translated wast generations then I would hope that someone clearly explains that. I am glad you did. I wish more people would.

May the Lord richly bless you.

Answer 2

KJV says generations. Nothing new there.
The word genesis, generation, geneology and so on all mean the same basic thing.
It refers most accurately to beginnings. More than one beginning.So yes an account of the beginnings of everything in the world. A history of creation.
History is used in modern bibles that attempt to simplify the language. It sort of misses part of the meaning about beginnings but is close enough for most people.

Genesis is also quite specific in the term it uses for a day. The translators stumbled a bit expressing it. That is why the awkward phrases about *from the evening to morning* are in there.
Genesis 1:3,last line.
"And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day."
This phrasing repeats after each day, it is very specific.

When people claim about the one day being a thousand years to God it is taking a quote totally out of context and is very dishonest. 2 Peter 3 is telling people to be patient about the soon expected return of Jesus and the predicted apocalypse. It is not talking about Genesis and to use it for that is nothing less than quote mining, the lowest form of lying.

Answer 3

Dear Friend,

This is quite true, the Bible is a harmonious book and in order to gain accurate knowledge you must read both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. The 'six days' being more than six of our days is confirmed in the book.

2 Peter 3:8
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

God Bless

Answer 4

~ Dr. Gerald Schroder was the World's Most Famous Atheist Accepts Existence of God, Cites Modern Science!... per his own website...

~ Thank you for the info... I would like to read the book, after the rapture perhaps... I'm still busy learning the Bible, and knowing more about the God that created All.

Answer 5

I think Christians would benefit greatly if they learned more about the Hebrew language and culture. That's why I've started using the Complete Jewish Bible to study. It's much more informative. Thanks for the info. on the book. I'll check it out.

Answer 6

I have never taken the bible literally. I always knew it was not created in 6 of our days literally. I don;t understand why other people will be so shocked and indignant as they will be about this.

Answer 7

You are probably the 1st reasonable Xtian I've seen on here. As long as you are willing to see things with an open mind that is fine with me. You can choose to believe whatever you want as long as you don't impose it on others and keep your religion to your home and church.......

Answer 8

Shame your religion has made you to dumb to answer questions without resorting to abuse... Very 'holy' religion indeed.

Answer 9

ew...bible residue in yahoo answers...

Answer 10

ok...............