{"id":4054,"date":"2020-02-20T10:59:06","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T16:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vegetatingwithleslie.org\/?p=4054"},"modified":"2023-06-10T17:50:56","modified_gmt":"2023-06-10T22:50:56","slug":"chapter-one-the-sixth-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vegetatingwithleslie.org\/?p=4054","title":{"rendered":"The Sixth Day of Creation: Equality of Being, Abundance for All"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The sixth day of creation witnessed the creation of both nonhuman animals and humans: “Let us remember that animals are not mere resources for human consumption. They are splendid beings in their own right, who have evolved alongside us as co-inheritors of all the beauty and abundance of life on this planet.” ~ Marc Bekoff<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sixth Day of Creation: The Animals\u2019 Story Begins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the sixth day of creation, this happened . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a3\u05e2\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd\u05a9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a8\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u059c\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u0597\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4\u0599 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u0594\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u059b\u05ea \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05e8\u05b6\u05a5\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c2 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u0596\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b5\u0591\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a5\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0596\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9\u05be\u05d8\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1\u05c3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God made wild beasts of every kind and cattle of every kind, and all kinds of creeping things of the earth. And God saw that this was good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05a3\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05dd \u05e0\u05b7\u05bd\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c2\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u059b\u05dd \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e6\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u0596\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d3\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b5\u0591\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05a9 \u05d1\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d2\u05b7\u05a8\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u059c\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u0597\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4\u0599 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0594\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u0596\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c2 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05e8\u05b9\u05de\u05b5\u05a5\u05e9\u05c2 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05bd\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And God said, \u201cLet us make man in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, and all the creeping things that creep on earth.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05a8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9\u05dd \u05c0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd\u0599 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e6\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u0594\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e6\u05b6\u05a5\u05dc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0596\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05b8\u05a3\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u0591\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d6\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05a5\u05e8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u0596\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05b8\u05a5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05a3\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd\u05ae \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd\u0592 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05a8\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u059c\u05dd \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0597\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05b0\u05bc\u05e8\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u059b\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0596\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e9\u05bb\u05c1\u0591\u05d4\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d3\u059e\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05d3\u05b0\u05d2\u05b7\u05a4\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd\u0599 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u0596\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05e8\u05b9\u05de\u05b6\u05a5\u05e9\u05b6\u05c2\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05bd\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God blessed them and God said to them, \u201cBe fertile and increase, fill the earth and master it; and rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and all the living things that creep on earth.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05a3\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0597\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05d4\u05a9 \u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05a8\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u059c\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05e2\u05b5\u05a3\u05e9\u05b6\u05c2\u05d1 \u05c0 \u05d6\u05b9\u05e8\u05b5\u05a3\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d6\u05b6\u0597\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8\u0599 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05e4\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9 \u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0594\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b5\u059b\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8\u05be\u05d1\u05bc\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05e2\u05b5\u0596\u05e5 \u05d6\u05b9\u05e8\u05b5\u05a3\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d6\u05b8\u0591\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05a5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b4\u05bd\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u0596\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05bd\u05d4\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God said, \u201cSee, I give you every seed-bearing plant that is upon all the earth, and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit; they shall be yours for food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05bc\u05bd\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a3\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05a0\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05e2\u05a8\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u059c\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05a3\u05dc \u05c0 \u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b5\u05a3\u05e9\u05c2 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0597\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8\u05be\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u0599 \u05e0\u05b6\u05a3\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u0594\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05d9\u05b6\u05a5\u05e8\u05b6\u05e7 \u05e2\u05b5\u0596\u05e9\u05b6\u05c2\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u0591\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05db\u05b5\u05bd\u05df\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to all the animals on land, to all the birds of the sky, and to everything that creeps on earth, in which there is the breath of life, [I give] all the green plants for food.\u201d And it was so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05a3\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u0594\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b5\u05bc\u05d4\u05be\u05d8\u0596\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u0591\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05e2\u05b6\u05a5\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d1\u05b9\u0596\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b4\u05bc\u05c1\u05e9\u05b4\u05bc\u05bd\u05c1\u05d9\u05c3 (\u05e4) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And God saw all that He had made, and found it very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. ~ Genesis 1:24-31<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Story of Parallel Relationships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This story begins not on the first but on the sixth day. It is the nonhuman animals\u2019 story in the Torah. As it happens, it is also the beginning of the human story. Therefore it is also the beginning of the story of a human-nonhuman-animal relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The animals\u2019 story, like the story of God\u2019s relationship with humans, is a story of relationship. As humans relate to God, nonhuman animals relate to the humans intended to be representatives of God in creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does It Mean, “To Rule”?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

God \u201cmakes\u201d both human and nonhuman animals (\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a3\u05e2\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd\u05a9), but there is a difference between them. The human is in the image and likeness of God. What does this mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a king places a local statue to represent his rule to his subjects, God places human beings on earth to represent God\u2019s sovereignty over creation. This phrase, then, establishes the intended human role in creation. As God\u2019s kingly representatives, humans are to subdue and \u201crule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, and all the creeping things that creep on earth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So God is the ultimate ruler, and humans represent God\u2019s sovereignty in creation. The God-human relationship parallels the human-animal relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruling Those Who Are Unruly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But the story hints at an inherent problem. Taking a closer look at the nonhuman animal world, we begin to see its outlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three varieties of nonhuman land animals: wild beasts, domesticated animals and \u201ccreeping things of the earth\u201d (\u05e8\u05b6\u059b\u05de\u05b6\u05e9 – creeping, moving, swarming, crawling). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the three nonhuman varieties of land animals, wild beasts, domesticated animals, and swarming things, only domestic animals offer the potential for a harmonious and reciprocal relationship with human beings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By definition, wild beasts are independent and ungovernable. God\u2019s chosen representative can do little more than avoid them, living and letting them live. In fact, God’s instruction that humans represent God’s will on earth doesn’t mention this category of animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But God does <\/em>include swarming things in God’s instruction. Fish of the sea and birds of the air can swarm as well. And here is where the verse from Habbakuk, along with the parallels between the human and nonhuman animals’ stories, provides insight into the future of God\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swarming, Crawling Things<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The last category of animals, swarming, crawling things, appears to be the smaller animals that move about the earth. These animals move quickly, without legs, or with barely perceptible legs, perhaps in large groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then \u201csmaller\u201d may be a matter of perspective. Seen from a vantage point, even large animals appear to swarm (Psalms 104:20, Isaiah 26:6). And human beings may appear to swarm: \u201cYou have made (hu)mankind like the fish of the sea, Like creeping things\u00a0that have no ruler.\u201d (\u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c2\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u0596\u05dd \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d3\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u0591\u05dd \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u0596\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c2 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0\u05be\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05a5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3) ~ Habakkuk 1:14<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The verse from Habakkuk points to the inherent problem in creation: swarming things are hard to rule. This comparison provides a clue to the nature of swarming things. It also hints at the future of God\u2019s creation when it parallels swarming things \u201cthat have no ruler\u201d and human beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So thanks to Habbakuk, we know that a biblical perception of swarming things is that they are ungovernable. These swarming things, theoretically under human rule, parallel humans under God\u2019s rule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Humans Up to Their Task? Is God?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So humans are to rule this sprawling creation that swarms: bird flocks, fish schools, and all the living things that cluster and crawl about the earth. But while these living beings represent overflowing abundance, they, like the beasts of the field, are beings in creation that humans cannot fully govern despite their job assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as we learn in the rest of the text of the developing relationship between God and humanity, then between God and the Israelites, humans, too, can be ungovernable. Humans sometimes act like wild beasts and sometimes like swarming things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Way To Understand The Problem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beasts of the field, fish of the sea, birds of the air, and creeping things, symbols of unruliness, reappear throughout the Hebrew Bible. In a verse from Hosea, the prophet speaks of a time when Israel will return to God who will establish a \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u0599, a \u201ccovenant\u201d with these unruly beings on behalf of the Israelites. Thus, Hosea parallels the restoration of a covenant relationship between God and the Israelites with one between humans and nonhuman animals. There will be peace in the land as intended:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05a8\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05a4\u05dd \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u0599 \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05d9\u05bc\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u0594\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a4\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d3\u05b6\u05d4\u0599 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05e2\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b6\u0596\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c2 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u0591\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05a8\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05b6\u05a4\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05d1\u05bc\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05df\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0594\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u0596\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b6\u05bd\u05d8\u05b7\u05d7\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that day, I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; I will also banish bow, sword, and war from the land. Thus I will let them lie down in safety. ~ Hosea 2:20<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food Symbolism: We Are What We Eat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, God addresses food, assigning different fare to humans and to other creatures. To humans, God gives \u201cevery seed-bearing plant that is upon all the earth, and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit.\u201d To \u201call the animals on land, to all the birds of the sky, and to everything that creeps on earth, in which there is the breath of life,\u201d God gives all the green plants. Overflowing abundance, enough for all living creatures, to each an assigned food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So humans, as well as nonhuman animals, are to fill this earth where food is abundantly available to all. Human food consists of agricultural products, seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees. Nonhuman land animals graze, eating green plants, herbs, and grasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common to these different meals is that there is plenty for all, nonhuman animals no less than their human counterparts. God provides food without discrimination, for each living being according to its kind, a birthright. Parenthetcally, humans don’t have the right to destroy or take away the portion assigned to nonhuman animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Intimacy of Relationship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u0599\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8\u0599 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a3\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0\u05be\u05d8\u059b\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b1\u05d9\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u0596\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u0591\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05bd\u05e2\u05b1\u05e9\u05b6\u05c2\u05d4\u05bc\u05be\u05dc\u05bc\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05b5\u0596\u05d6\u05b6\u05e8 \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LORD God said, \u201cIt is not good for man to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e6\u05b6\u05e8\u05a9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u059c\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05df\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a4\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d3\u05b6\u05d4\u0599 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea\u0599 \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05e2\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05d1\u05b5\u05d0\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05a3\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u0594\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u0596\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05de\u05b7\u05d4\u05be\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05be\u05dc\u0591\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc\u05a9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05a8\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05be\u05dc\u05a7\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u059b\u05dd \u05e0\u05b6\u05a5\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u0596\u05d4 \u05d4\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the LORD God formed out of the earth all the wild beasts and all the birds of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that would be its name. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05a8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05bd\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u059c\u05dd \u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05de\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4\u0599 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u0596\u05dc \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a3\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d3\u05b6\u0591\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u0595\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05bd\u05d0\u05be\u05de\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05a5\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b5\u0596\u05d6\u05b6\u05e8 \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the man gave names to all the cattle and to the birds of the sky and to all the wild beasts; but for Adam no fitting helper was found. ~ Gen. 2:18-20<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Eve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this version of the creation story, the rulership motif recedes from view along with the swarming things. Instead, we see parallel stories of intimacy as God \u201cforms\u201d the nonhuman animals like an artist working with clay, then brings them to Adam to name them. God does this just after commenting \u201cIt is not good for Adam to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a moment in time, it seems possible a nonhuman animal might become Adam\u2019s helper. Naming suggests an intimacy between humans and nonhuman animals that wasn\u2019t highlighted in the first creation story. There Adam was to subdue and rule creation as G-d\u2019s representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Face to Face<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And what to make of the odd phrase, \u05e2\u05b5\u0596\u05d6\u05b6\u05e8 \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9, ezer k\u2019negdo<\/em>, translated \u201cfitting helper\u201d? Ezer<\/em>, meaning helper, seems clear. But k\u2019negdo<\/em> literally means \u201cas in front of\/against\/face-to-face.\u201d Feminist myth-makers might have a lot of fun with neged<\/em>, meaning \u201cagainst,\u201d suggesting a partner who stands against, or up to, the other as an equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I kind of like the idea, though, of \u201cface-to-face,\u201d which fits well with the flow of imagery and meaning as the story unfolds. Approaching the text literally for a moment, this earth being, Adam, needs a partner s\/he can look in the face. A being that stands upright on two legs. None of the nonhuman animals God brings to Adam fulfills this requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remaining possibility, which God chooses, is to separate this androgynous earth creature into two upright beings, man (\u05d0\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 – Ish) and woman (\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u0594\u05d4 – Isha). These two upright beings, both human, can meet face-to-face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Serpent\u2019s Story: Pun Power . . .<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cface-to-face\u201d translation works well as we come to a turning point in the animals\u2019 story, the story of the serpent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a complete reversal of its place as the most arum<\/em> (\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u0594\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd) of creatures and therefore most likely to be a human partner before the woman took that role, the serpent is doomed to crawl on the ground and eat dirt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8\u05a9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05a8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05dd \u05c0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05bd\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05d7\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05ae \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05a3\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b4\u05c2\u05a3\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05d6\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05ea\u0592 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05a4\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4\u0599 \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u0594\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u0596\u05dc \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a3\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d3\u05b6\u0591\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d2\u05b0\u05bc\u05d7\u05b9\u05e0\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u05a3 \u05ea\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u0594\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05b8\u05a5\u05e8 \u05ea\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05db\u05b7\u0596\u05dc \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05be\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b6\u05bc\u05bd\u05d9\u05da\u05b8\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the LORD God said to the serpent, \u201cBecause you did this, More cursed shall you be Than all cattle And all the wild beasts: On your belly shall you crawl And dirt shall you eat All the days of your life. ~ Gen. 3:14<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the story leading up to that decree, the serpent is subtly cast, through a pun with the Hebrew words arum<\/em> (\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u0594\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd<\/strong>) and ayrome<\/em> (\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e8\u05b9\u05a5\u05dd<\/strong>) as a potential equal to the humans among wild beasts. This portrayal reveals something about our human nature from the perspective of the biblical author\/s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Closer Look at a Hebrew Word Root<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To understand the parallel, we need to understand the Hebrew root, a-r-m<\/em>. In the verse that follows, Gen. 3:1, arum<\/em> (\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u0594\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd<\/strong>) translates, \u201cshrewd.\u201d In other sections of the Hebrew Bible, the same word translates, \u201cprudent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05d7\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u0599 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05a3\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u0594\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd<\/strong> \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u05dc\u0599 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05a3\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d3\u05b6\u0594\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05a5\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u0596\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a3\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u0599\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05a3\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u0594\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b7\u059a\u05e3 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05bd\u05d9\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05a3\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05a3\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b9\u05bd\u05d0\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u0594\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u0596\u05dc \u05e2\u05b5\u05a5\u05e5 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05b8\u05bc\u05bd\u05df\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the serpent was the shrewdest<\/strong> of all the wild beasts that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, \u201cDid God really say: You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?\u201d  ~ Gen. 3:1<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Gen. 3:10-11, though, in reference to the humans, ayrome<\/em> (\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e8\u05b9\u05a5\u05dd<\/strong>) translates \u201cnaked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u0595\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05e7\u05b9\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u05a5 \u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u0596\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05d2\u05b8\u05bc\u0591\u05df \u05d5\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u059b\u05d0 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05bd\u05d9\u05be\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e8\u05b9\u05a5\u05dd<\/strong> \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u0596\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05d7\u05b8\u05d1\u05b5\u05bd\u05d0\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He replied, \u201cI heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked<\/strong>, so I hid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b9\u05bc\u0595\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u059a\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b4\u05d2\u05b4\u05bc\u05a3\u05d9\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u0594 \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05a5\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e8\u05b9\u0596\u05dd<\/strong> \u05d0\u05b8\u0591\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b2\u05de\u05b4\u05df\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b5\u0597\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05a7\u05e8 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d5\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u059b\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05b6\u05bc\u0596\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05bd\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05c3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then He asked, \u201cWho told you that you were naked<\/strong>? Did you eat of the tree from which I had forbidden you to eat?\u201d ~ Gen. 3:10-11<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ambiguity of Being<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s imagine for a moment. Let’s go with the pun\u2019s associations and reverse translations \u2014 using \u201cshrewd\u201d or \u201cprudent\u201d for the humans and \u201cnaked\u201d for the snake. Or use the same variety of translations for each since surely a native speaker would have heard that variety of meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The serpent might as well be naked like the humans and unlike the other wild beasts, who all feature furry or hairy skins. Indeed, hairiness distinguishes animals or animal nature. Isaac mistakes Jacob for his hairy brother, Esau, a \u201cman of the outdoors,\u201d when Jacob\u2019s mother disguises Jacob with hairy animal skin. The serpent and the first humans are alike in their hairlessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, humans might just as well be shrewd or prudent after they eat from the tree. They, like the serpent, now know good from bad. Arum-ayrome<\/em> tells us that both humans and the serpent are capable of planning, strategizing, scheming, and manipulating. This beautiful and nuanced story gives us a range of meaningful possibilities with its artistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Implications of This Layered Meaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The layered meaning becomes even more pronounced as we see the same reversal take place for the humans as for the serpent. Just as the serpent will \u201ccrawl on its belly\u201d and eat dirt, making face-to-face partnership with humans impossible, the humans lose their role as God\u2019s representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n