Genesis 2:4

These are the generations. The word “generations,” toledoth, is usually used in reference to a man’s family history, that is, to the birth of his sons (see chs. 5:1; 6:9; 11:10; etc.). Here occurs the only instance where this word is used of other than human relationships, that is, of “the heavens and of the earth,” a phrase that is reminiscent of chs. 1:1 and 2:1. One commentator suggests that “generations” refers properly to “the history or account of their production.” The Jewish Encyclopedia says with reference to this word: “The process of creation of heavens and earth is viewed in ch. 2:4 as a genealogical history” (art. “Generation”). “Each day was called a generation, because that in it God generated, or produced, some new portion of His work” (PP 112).

When they were created. Thus closes the creation narrative that began with Gen. 1:1. These words have been interpreted in various ways. They are a translation from behibare’am, which should not be translated “after they were created,” as has sometimes been done. Meaning literally, “in their creation,” the whole clause, “these are the generations,” etc., is best rendered, “This is the history of the origin of the heavens and the earth as they were created.”

In the day. These words introduce the account of Gen. 2. Many commentators are inclined to consider chs. 2:4 to 3:24 as a second and different creation record originating from another pen at a later time than that of chs. 1:1 to 2:4. Regarding this untenable theory see the Introduction to Genesis. A study of the contents makes it clear that ch. 2 can in no sense be considered another version of the creation narrative of the preceding chapter. Its purpose is to place Adam and Eve at home in the Garden of Eden, and this it does by providing additional information, most of which does not properly belong with the creation story as such. It is descriptive of the Eden home after it had been created. Without this information, not only would our account of this earth in its Edenic state be sadly incomplete, but the events of Gen. 3 — the Fall of man — would hardly be intelligible. This chapter (Gen. 2) includes further details on the creation of man, a description of his Eden home, the test of his allegiance to God, or moral right to his home, the test of his intelligence, or mental qualifications for ruling over the created works of God, and circumstances surrounding the establishment of the first home.