Non-Concordist Interpretations of Genesis Ch 1-2.

Non-Concordist Interpretations of Non-Concordist Interpretations of Genesis Ch 1-2Genesis Ch 1-2

Proclamation Day InterpretationProclamation Day Interpretation

In this interpretation, the “days” are taking place in God’s throne room where He proclaims His creation to His heavenly court.

Proclamation Day InterpretationProclamation Day InterpretationThe days have no relation to 24 hour days on earth but are

proclamation days in heaven. As God proclaims His creation into existence, time on earth proceeds over ages.

Proclamation Day InterpretationProclamation Day Interpretation

“ A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night”. Psalm 90:4 (also 2 Peter 3:8)

Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)This interpretation notes the parallel structure of days 1-3

with days 4-6. God creates “domains” on days 1-3 and then fills these domains in days 4-6 with inhabitants.

Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)On day 1 the “domain” of light and darkness is created while

on day 4 the light bearers are created.

Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)On day 2 the “domains” of sky and water are created while

on day 5 the inhabitants of sky and water (birds and fish) are created.

Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)On day 3, the “domains” of land and vegetation are created

while on day 6 the inhabitants of land are created.

Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)Creation Poem Interpretation (Literary Device)In this interpretation, the word “day” is an organizing literary

device (a framework) that the author of Genesis used to conceptualize God’s orderly manner of creating, His provision in terms of providing a home for each of earth’s inhabitants and the totality of His complete and perfect work.

The Style of GenesisThe Style of GenesisThe language of Genesis Ch 1 is not typical First Testament

(O.T.) Hebrew narrative style like the later chapters of Genesis or Samuel or Kings. Genesis Ch 1 is also not typical Hebrew poetry. It is a narrative that has rhythm and repitition, something that would have made it suitable for reading at public ceremonies.

Patterns in GenesisPatterns in GenesisIt has been suggested that it may have been read aloud during

regular celebrations held at the temple, possibly at the beginning of the year. The seven days would have been seen as a symbol of completeness and perfection.

Man’s Work is an Imitation of God’s WorkMan’s Work is an Imitation of God’s WorkSince he is Created in God’s ImageSince he is Created in God’s Image

In this interpretation, God’s working 6 days and resting on the 7th would be the pattern and reason for man’s weekly pattern of working 6 days and resting 1 day. The reason for man’s work and rest pattern would be to imitate His creator in whose image he was created. In this view, the day structure of Genesis has to do with humanity being created like God so working like Him also – 6 days, then resting.

The Kingdom-Covenant InterpretationThe Kingdom-Covenant Interpretation

Rulers in Mesopotamia often made covenants with their subjects, granting them limited authority over a small region. Genesis 1 and 2 reflects a similar theme. God creates the realms of His kingdom on days 1-3, populates them with objects or creatures in days 4-6 and then makes a covenant with mankind, commanding man to fill the earth and giving mankind authority to rule in order to preserve God creation.

The Kingdom-Covenant InterpretationThe Kingdom-Covenant Interpretation

Being created in the Image of God means that mankind needs to represent God and His qualities here on earth as His co-rulers. In the culture of ancient Mesopotamia, Kings often set up markers with their image to broadcast their claim to a territory. Mankind are to act as God’s markers or signposts here on earth. Humans should display the qualities of their King such as justice, mercy, love, faithfulness, etc

Genesis: A Book of CovenantsGenesis: A Book of CovenantsGod’s first covenant with mankind in Genesis 1-2 is followed

by later covenants with Noah (a renewal of the first covenant and promise not to destroy the earth again), with Abram (a promise to bless his descendants and through them, the nations of the earth) and with Moses (a promise for a land free from slavery where they would be God’s chosen people).

The Temple InterpretationThe Temple Interpretation

Ancient cultures thought of creation in terms of gods naming things and giving them functions, assigning them a purpose. The Hebrew word, “bara”, which is translated in English as “create” is not concerned with the production of things, but instead, the assigning of functions or purposes. In English, create generally is used to mean making some thing but in some uses it refers to functions or conditions such as to create a sense of responsibility, to create bedlam.

The Temple Interpretation: Day 1The Temple Interpretation: Day 1In this interpretation, God on day 1 created day and night not

as material things but as functions. Days and nights function to mark out time so the focus of day 1 is God’s establishment of time. For ancient farmers timing was an essential aspect of growing crops and raising animals so God is setting up a basic function that will enable mankind to thrive. Days 1-5 look forward, setting the stage for mankind.

The Temple Interpretation: Day 2The Temple Interpretation: Day 2On day 2, God created the firmament to separate waters above and

below. Ancients would not be as concerned with the materials involved as with the functions of these. Rain, weather and climate are controlled through the release of water through the firmament. Thus in general terms, day 2 is about the creation of the functions of weather. For an agrarian society, time (day 1) and weather (day 2) are essential for survival. God is giving nature the functions that mankind will need.

The Temple Interpretation: Day 3The Temple Interpretation: Day 3On day 3 God separates dry land

from water and has the earth bring forth seed plants. Land, water and seeds form the basis of food production. On day 3 God is establishing the functions required for food production. Again, for an agrarian society, food production along with weather and timing are basic functions required for mankind to thrive. These basic functions are referred to again in Genesis 8:22 when, after the flood, God says “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

The Temple Interpretation: Days 4-6The Temple Interpretation: Days 4-6On days 4-6, God creates the functionaries, the objects or

creatures that either carry out the basic functions already established (time, weather, and food production) or perform their own functions within the domains already established. On day 6, land animals are created and this leads to the climax of mankind’s creation with everything prepared for them to thrive.

Divine Rest on Day 7Divine Rest on Day 7

In ancient cultures, when a god “rested” (s)he would take up residence in a temple, the resting place for a god. The ancient idea of rest had more to do with taking up residence than with ceasing to be active. In the Genesis account, God, Who has established the functions and functionaries of the universe now takes up residence in His temple, the cosmos from which He rules and maintains the stability of His creation.

The Hebrew Tabernacle and TempleThe Hebrew Tabernacle and TempleAncient Hebrews saw and described the Creation in

architectural terms (ex: the “foundations” of the earth) as the temple in which God dwelled. When they left Egypt, they built a portable temple for God to take up residence in a more visible way among them as they wandered to Canaan.

The Hebrew TempleThe Hebrew Temple

After the Israelites established themselves as a country within Canaan, their King Solomon built a temple for God to reside in and rule from.

The decoration inside and likely the landscaping outside the Temple reflected the original Garden of Eden that God created for mankind. The Temple became a miniature representation of His Creation with its Holy King enthroned, but separated from His sinful subjects.

Ancient Near Eastern Cosmology InterpretationAncient Near Eastern Cosmology InterpretationThis non-concordist interpretation of the first chapters of

Genesis notes that the picture of the universe described is essentially the picture that all the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Egypt had from before Moses’ time to many centuries after Jesus had ascended – but with significant differences from its neighboring cultures.

Essential Lessons of Genesis 1: There is One GodEssential Lessons of Genesis 1: There is One God• Genesis speaks of one God creating and controlling all things,

not separate gods each to be venerated. Natural objects are just things, not to be worshipped. This is consistent with the commandment, “You shall have no other gods before[a] me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…” Exodus 20: 3-4

The Second Day: Creation of the The FirmamentThe Second Day: Creation of the The FirmamentAncients viewed the sky as a solid dome called the firmament

which had stars embedded in it and across the face of which the sun and moon moved. The firmament separated the waters above from the waters below. This is a simple explanation for why rain falls from the sky and why we find water when we drill into the ground. The ancients had no concept of evaporation, condensation or the water cycle.

Day 3: Dry Land Separated From Waters, PlantsDay 3: Dry Land Separated From Waters, PlantsGenesis records that on Creation day 3, God separated land

from waters on the earth’s surface. This image of the creation of dry land separate from water would have been an annual experience for persons living in Egypt or Mesopotamia in which yearly flooding and drying occurred.

The Genesis Account: A Caring God with Man in MindThe Genesis Account: A Caring God with Man in Mind

The God presented by Genesis is a God who has man in mind as He creates the World. He creates everything that a farmer or herder would need to thrive. In Eden, God has regular visits with Adam and Eve. He is a caring God who desires a close relationship. He also is perfect and can not tolerate sin.

The Pagan gods of Egypt and BabylonThe Pagan gods of Egypt and BabylonIn the Babylonian creation account, the goddess Tiamat

represented the waters. She was a restless goddess who caused much havoc. Marduk finally killed her and divided her carcass into the waters above and below. Marduk killed her husband and used his blood to make mankind. The gods of Egypt and Mesopotamia required humans to be their slaves (that is to be the slaves of the religious establishment and the King).

Essential Lessons of GenesisEssential Lessons of Genesis

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1. The universe had a beginning. Matter was not eternal with God. Time for our universe began the moment God started creating.

Theological Truths of Genesis: 2Theological Truths of Genesis: 2

God is sovereign over all. There are no other gods but Him who made all things. The universe is His and only He is worthy of worship.


God’s creation was/is good. Both the functions and functionairies of His creation are good and the universe declares this to everyone every single day.


God inhabits, resides, and “rests” in His creation to this day. Creation is “His temple” and He rules it through the laws and relationships He has established.

Theological Truths of Genesis: 5Theological Truths of Genesis: 5God created things with mankind in mind. He established

functions and functionaries to meet the needs of humanity. Humanity has special favour with God, they are the climax of His creating activity.


Humans were never intended to live in slavery but are intended to live as co-rulers with God. Humanity is given dominion over all things in order that they are beneficially served and preserved. Humans are created in God’s image to rule and reflect God’s character such as His love, faithfulness, justice and mercy here on earth. Adam’s naming of the animals demonstrates his image bearer role as he parallels God’s naming of things.


God created humanity specially so that humans could have a relationship with Him. God desired to commune with mankind. The Garden of Eden is a picture of heaven on earth where mankind converse with their Creator without fear or shame.


The human sexes were created to be “helpmates” for each other. God established marraige as a bond between individuals who share a vision of life and feel so compatible that its as if they were of the same body.

Theological Truths of Genesis: 9Theological Truths of Genesis: 9Mankind doubted and rebelled against God’s command. To this

day, humans continue to doubt God’s words, to rebel against His commands, to set up their own kingdoms with themselves on the throne. God made man a free agent, even allowing his rebellion. The prodigal son parable echoes this and other themes of Genesis.


Mankind were called to multiply and fill the earth. This command was not yet accomplished in Moses’ time but today mankind have over-filled the earth. Human over-population is degrading environments, causing mass animal and plant extinctions and changing global climate patterns. More than ever, mankind need to assume their role as stewards of the planet, curbing human consumption and focusing on the preservation of that which we have been entrusted with.

Maybe All Non-Concordist Interpretations are True?Maybe All Non-Concordist Interpretations are True?

Could it be true that each of the Non-Concordist Interpretations expresses an aspect of what the whole of Genesis 1 was telling its audience and thus also us?

End of PresentationEnd of Presentation

Non-Concordist Interpretations of Genesis Ch 1-2.

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