Meaning and Intent of Genesis: Essential Notes on Hebrew Grammar
by Manfred Davidmann
Contents
- 'Adam' and Hebrew Grammar
- Genesis: An Overview
Relevant Subject Index Pages and Site Overview
'Adam' and Hebrew Grammar
| Eth |
'Eth' is put before the object of the sentence if the object is either a definite noun (has article 'ha') or a proper noun (proper name). Example: |
|
| Eth adam | 'Adam' is the proper name of one person, refers to the person whose name is 'Adam'. | |
| Ha-adam |
Life form(s). Example: Human beings. As 'Adam' stands for 'life form', one can put 'ha' in front.
|
|
| Eth ha-adam | The life form is the object of the sentence. The life forms are the object of the sentence. |
- For detailed comprehensive discussions, illustrations and comments on the meaning and significance of the different forms of 'Adam' used in Genesis, see
- The Meaning of Genesis: Creation, Evolution and the Origin of Evil
https://www.solhaam.org/
Manfred Davidmann - from which this report has been extracted.
Genesis: An Overview
These reports describe and illustrate the meaning and intent of Genesis. Each is self-contained but together they provide the knowledge needed for understanding Genesis, its allegories and their significance. These allegories illustrate and define the difference between good and evil, and the importance of behaviour on social strength, well-being and good life under modern conditions.
Genesis begins by describing how the planet was created, in other words how it was formed, the changes which occurred as the planet aged, how plants and animals were formed, evolved and populated the planet. It describes how human beings evolved and also how the behaviour of life forms changed as human beings evolved.
When the Pentateuch (Torah, Five Books of Moses) was written, people had but little knowledge about science or evolution compared with what is known today. So concepts for which we now have precise terms were described rather than stated and expressed in religious terms so that they could be appreciated and followed by the population.
Understanding this we see that there is no conflict, no contradiction, no divergence, only awe-inspiring agreement, between what is stated in Genesis and what we now know about the evolution of human beings.
Chapters 5 and 6 then describe the behaviour of human beings before the flood. There is no conscious knowledge of good and evil and of the difference between them and their behaviour is like that of their primitive ancestors. Their behaviour is stated and condemned as evil. These two chapters of Genesis outline evil behaviour.
- Chapter 5 shows people amassing possessions and wealth and dominating others by brutal strength.
- Chapter 6 adds unrestrained sexual behaviour
- and Chapter 6 also adds the gaining and misuse of power over others.
The flood follows and from here onwards Genesis shows a conscious knowledge developing of good and evil, stressing consequent reward and punishment, justice and retribution.
- Human beings are shown to be becoming numerous and spreading out, behaving much as before the flood. Different communities developed different customs, traditions, ways of behaving and, with the life and travels of the Patriarchs, some learned to know the difference between good and evil, learned to behave humanely.
- Genesis records what is, and is not, moral sexual behaviour and the consequences of depravity. Clearly stated is that the consequences cannot be avoided.
- Genesis considers the gaining and misuse of power over others. We are told the consequences of allowing some people to misuse their abilities to manipulate, control and enslave others. And the Pentateuch states social laws of behaviour and a social system which have to be kept as they enable people to gain and keep liberty and good lives of high quality.
The abovementioned reports also summarise corresponding present social problems and describe the Pentateuch's social laws and social system for overcoming them.
Further relevant knowledge and information necessary for understanding the meaning of Genesis can be found in the following reports:
- Meaning and Significance of the Names of God in Genesis
- Describes the meaning and significance of the names of God which are used in Genesis. These are of greatest importance for understanding the meaning of the text of the Bible.
- Meaning and Intent of Genesis: Essential Notes on Hebrew Grammar
- Lists and illustrates the grammatical rules which help to differentiate between references to individuals and references to groups or life forms. Essential information for understanding the meaning of Genesis.
- Bible Translations, Versions, Codes and Hidden Information in Bible and Talmud
- Shows how changes made in the past have obscured the original intended meaning. Describes the ways in which hidden information has been encoded and labelled so that its original meaning could not be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
Relevant Subject Index Pages and Site Overview
- General Management (Middle, Senior and Top Level)
- Motivation
- Community (Social Responsibility and Accountability)
- Economics
- Teachings (Quotations, Summaries, Current Problems)
- Press Notices
- Home, Site Overview (solhaam.org)
- Terms of Use
- Contact form (Suggestions and Comments Welcome)
The Site Overview page has links to all individual Subject Index Pages which between them list the works by Manfred Davidmann which are available on the Internet, with short descriptions and links for downloading.
To see the Site Overview page, click Overview
Copyright © March 2000 Manfred Davidmann
All rights reserved worldwide.
History
13/03/00 Work Completed
03/08/00 To Website
03/06/01 Added 'Genesis: An Overview'
26/03/04 Minor textual improvement.
Updated 2021 - the following links were added:
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