What is the significance of verb choices in Genesis 1?

Question

I was surprised recently when I read Genesis 1 again, and noticed how inactive God is during the creation process. I mean that from a literary standpoint, not a literal one... bear with me. :)

Below is a summary of the creation actions described in Genesis 1:

• 1:1 -- God created heavens and earth

One

• 1:3 -- there was light

Two

• 1:4 -- God separated light and dark

Three

• 1:7 -- God made vault
• 1:9 -- it was so
• 1:11 -- it was so
• 1:12 -- the land produced

Four

• 1:15 -- it was so
• 1:16 -- God made two great lights
• 1:17 -- God set them

Five

• 1:20 -- God created sea creatures, and winged birds
• 1:22 -- God blessed them

Six

• 1:24 -- it was so
• 1:25 -- God made wild animals
• 1:27 -- God created mankind, he created them, he created them
• 1:28 -- God blessed them

I find it interesting the verb choice used here. A few observations:

1. 4 of the 6 creation days use passive voice to describe creation events. The phrase "It was so" occurs 4 times, in addition to the passive phrases "there was light" and "the land produced." (I know that "produced" is not technically a passive verb, but it doesn't show God's active involvement in the process here.)
2. The verb "create" is used only 5 times--and three of those times are in the same verse, to describe the same action (verse 1:27). The verb "make" is used an additional three times (1:7, 1:16, 1:25)
3. God blesses sea creatures and birds, and humans, and tells them to be fruitful and multiply. But not land-animals.

My primary question is: What is the significance of the verb "create" during the creation account? It's only used to describe the creation of "the heavens and the earth," "sea creatures and birds," and "humans" (and it's used three times to describe humans). I can see the creation of humans as special and distinct, and therefore worthy of special attention in the form of repeating that God created humans. But what's so special about fish and birds?

And a secondary question is: What's the significance of the use of passive voice in the creation account?

And finally: Am I reading too much into this? :)

Answer 1

What is the significance of the verb "create" during the creation account?

To answer this question I believe we first need to understand why Genesis was written.

The research that many exegestes, such as James K. Hoffmeier's “Some Thoughts on Genesis 1 & 2 and Egyptian Cosmology”, have done conclude that it was written to reject the Egyptian Cosmology (Creation Mythology).

These creation myths are greatly explained in this article: Genesis 1-2 In Light Of Ancient Egyptian Creation Myths by Tony L. Shetter.

Since I don't believe I could explain this any better I'll just quote the summary of the article:

In conclusion, the author/redactor(s) of the Genesis creation accounts share certain concepts of the makeup of the world with other ancient Near Eastern cultures. However, it is especially with Egypt’s worldview that the author/redactor(s) are familiar. Evidence for this lies in the many allusions to Egyptian creation motifs throughout the Genesis creation accounts. But, rather than being a case of direct borrowing, they demythologize the Egyptian concepts and form a polemic against the Egyptian gods. Thus, they elevate Yahweh-Elohim as the one true God, who is transcendent and who is all powerful. He speaks his desire and it comes to pass. He does not require the assistance of other gods to perform the acts of creation. He alone possesses the power and means necessary to effect the creation of the world.

Answer 2

Disclaimer: this is my opinion; I'm not trying to start an argument (or is that implicit in all posts here?)

I wonder if this hints at there being a process at work which is an interplay between God and creation?

I certainly see in the land produced a hint that natural processes were at work, and that God did not instantly "magic" everything into being, but nudged things in the right direction and let them run their (unfallen) natural course.

I don't know for sure, of course; these are hints which not everyone will see, but it's fun to think about it.

I have to add that these thoughts evoke a sense of awe and wonder in me which I find it hard to explain. I find it easier to see how God could have "magiced" a complete creation into being; the thought that there was some kind of process is absolutely beyond my imagination.