Friday, April 17, 2009

Was God pleased or displeased with creation?

Gen 1:31 And GodH430 sawH7200 (H853) every thingH3605 thatH834 he had made,H6213 and, behold,H2009 it was veryH3966 good.H2896 And the eveningH6153 and the morningH1242 wereH1961 the sixthH8345 day.H3117

Gen 6:5 And GODH3068 sawH7200 thatH3588 the wickednessH7451 of manH120 was greatH7227 in the earth,H776 and that everyH3605 imaginationH3336 of the thoughtsH4284 of his heartH3820 was onlyH7535 evilH7451 continually.H3605 H3117

Gen 6:6 And it repentedH5162 the LORDH3068 thatH3588 he had madeH6213 (H853) manH120 on the earth,H776 and it grievedH6087 him atH413 his heart.H3820

Here, the alleged contradiction is that God was pleased with his creation in Gen 1:31 and displeased with his creation in Gen 6:5-6. This doesn't require a lot of Hebrew lingo so I will not put you to sleep. Yea, right. If I'm going to drive a point, than I going to drive the point.

Let's look at Gen 1:31.

Gen 1:31 And GodH430 sawH7200 (H853) every thingH3605 thatH834 he had made,H6213 and, behold,H2009 it was veryH3966 good.H2896 And the eveningH6153 and the morningH1242 wereH1961 the sixthH8345 day.H3117

The words "very good" would be the part of this verse in question.

H3966

מאד

me'o^d

meh-ode'

From the same as H181; properly vehemence, that is, (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated): - diligently, especially, exceeding (-ly), far, fast, good, great (-ly), X louder and louder, might (-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.

Basically the word "very" (me'o^d) means "without a doubt"

H2896

טוב

ṭo^b

tobe

From H2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well): - beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ([-favoured]).

Without a doubt, the word "good" (ṭo^b) means "good". So very good, 'nough said.

Now for the second half of the contradiction.

Gen 6:5 And GODH3068 sawH7200 thatH3588 the wickednessH7451 of manH120 was greatH7227 in the earth,H776 and that everyH3605 imaginationH3336 of the thoughtsH4284 of his heartH3820 was onlyH7535 evilH7451 continually.H3605 H3117

Gen 6:6 And it repentedH5162 the LORDH3068 thatH3588 he had madeH6213 (H853) manH120 on the earth,H776 and it grievedH6087 him atH413 his heart.H3820

Here, God is a little upset at what humanity has become. This however, has nothing to do with the creation week. These verses are dealing with what wicked man has done with the creation. The fact that the creation was very good to God has no bearing on God's disappointment with man. Just because it "repented" God that he had made man, does not negate the fact that he was pleased with the creation. I can't see how people will even consider this a contradiction. Nevertheless, I cover it here to satisfy the hungry mouths of wolves.

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