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There are two seemingly contradictory accounts of creation in the Bible.

The first is in Genesis 1:1-2:3.

The second is in Genesis 2:4-25.

Why the differences in the accounts?

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If two people report on an event, does it mean the one person's version is wrong and the other right? – Michael Wiles Aug 30 '11 at 21:37
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When information contradicts, it doesn't necessarily mean anyone is right. – rpeg Aug 30 '11 at 21:41
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@rpeg: I have edited your question, to be only one question. I suggest asking "Do apparent contradictions in the Bible make the Bible fallible?" as a separate question. It's too broad to ask for an explanation of this apparent contradiction, and also ask if that makes the Bible fallible in the same question. – Flimzy Aug 30 '11 at 21:45
@Michael If they are different accounts or maybe different order of events, then yes. – Paul Sep 28 '11 at 12:57

2 Answers

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After even more study of Genesis, I think I may understand why the original question may have been asked.

Yes, there are 2 different accounts here, but they are of the same creation event. The first part is an account of God creating the universe and everything in it. The second part begins with the creation of Adam (which was mentioned in the first account), but then continues on with the story of Adam.

What I did not understand earlier was why someone would say there were contradictions, but now I believe one thing which may be in question is Genesis 2:19. I had been reading the NIV which says "Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name." It says God had formed the animals, so it didn't seem contradictory. Other translations do use verbiage which would suggest man was created before animals in this account.

After searching a bit for information on the contradictions, I found that the Hebrew used in this verse does not specify an order. It can be translated as now or as in the past. I would think that people reading this in the original Hebrew language would understand that it was meant that God had already created the animals, since that was the order presented in chapter 1. Reference

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Why would it be thrown in the middle? – rpeg Aug 30 '11 at 21:55
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I've expanded my response after some more review of Genesis chapters 1 and 2. – a_hardin Aug 30 '11 at 22:11
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I'm sorry I must I disagree that there are not two accounts here. Many events are mentioned twice, and as you say, Genesis 2:4 even says "this is the account..." One being a summarized version does not mean it's not another account.... In fact, one might argue that a summary, by definition, is another, shortened, account. – Flimzy Aug 30 '11 at 22:15
New answer to address the fact that it is 2 stories and a supposed contradiction. – a_hardin Aug 31 '11 at 3:29
@rpeg I believe, though I don't know, that this was the style of writing used maybe due to the fact it would have first been passed down as a story and later recorded. So one event. – James Khoury Aug 31 '11 at 3:35
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up vote 0 down vote

These are definitely two different stories of God creating animals and plants. But understand that the first time God created these things, he created them in numbers. The second time that he created the animals He did so, so that Adam could name them.

Sorry for the short answer.

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