Why are there two stories on the creation of man in Genesis?

Question

Is this proof that these are stories?

Answer 1

I find it interesting that so many say that the two accounts describe the same event, that the two account agree with each other despite the fact that the two accounts give a different order of creation.

Scholars who study the two accounts in Hebrew notice various stylistic differences to show that they come from two different sources, the "Elohimist" Priestly cast and the later "Yahwehists" who helped to establish the monotheism of the Hebrews.

Answer 2

What is going on in the Creation stories is that chapter 1 gives a wide angle view of things while chapter 2 gives a close up view of the creation of man. Chapter 1 continues the narrative of creation until the climax, namely, man made in the image and likeness of God. To prepare the way for the account of the fall, chapter 2 gives certain added details about man’s original condition, which would have been incongruous and out of place in the grand, declarative march of chapter 1.

EDIT: The fact is, Genesis 2 does not present a creation account at all but presupposes the completion of God’s work of creation as set forth in chapter 1.... Chapter 2 is built on the foundation of chapter 1 and represents no different tradition than the first chapter or discrepant account of the order of creation. What may seem as a contradiction at first glance is essentially a more detailed account. The text of Genesis 2:19 says nothing about the relative origins of man and beast in terms of chronology, but merely suggests that the animals were formed before being brought to man in order to be named. Let us carefully note Genesis 2:4. “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven.” In this one verse there is contained the heaven/earth and earth/heaven motif. [Does this mean that two people must have written this one sentence?] Even the critics do not say this!

To conclude that differences in style or vocabulary unmistakably indicate different authors is invalid for any body of literature. It is well known that a single author may vary his style and select vocabulary to fit the themes he is developing and the people he is addressing. It goes without saying that a mans love letter will vary significantly in vocabulary and style from his research paper.

Answer 3

Only one of them is given a name. Although, If you want to listen to those who take the Bible literally, I don't have an answer for you.

Answer 4

One is mankind (adam) and one is Adham (eth Ha-Adham).

It is proof that some do not study deep enough and check things out.

Answer 5

Both describe the same event. The second simply goes into more detail.

Answer 6

No. 1st is chronological , the second one is an overview.