If God Is One, Why Does the Bible Refer to Him in the Plural. So the three men who appeared to Abraham were God and the two angels who were then sent on to Sodom before judgment came to that city. It is not to be understood as an allegory or as a representation of some other type of creature. The word Genesis can be translated as history of, origin, birth, generation, or genealogy. Cain and his brother Abel were the first of a number of children born to Eve. Bible References: Enoch is mentioned in Genesis 5:18-24, 1 Chronicles 1:3, Luke 3:37, Hebrews 11:5-6, Jude 1:14-15.; Hometown: Ancient Fertile Crescent, although the exact location is not given in Scripture. The LORD departs, Abraham goes home, and the two angels arrive at Sodom. In the immediate context, the man is said to be created in plurality (male and female), thus forging the finite relationship of a man and a woman in the image of infinite relationships within the Godhead. To provide Christians worldwide with carefully researched information and well-reasoned answers that encourage them in their faith and equip them to intelligently represent it to people influenced by ideas and teachings that assault or undermine orthodox, biblical Christianity. ; Occupation: Jude 14-15 states that Enoch was a preacher of righteousness and a prophet. Indeed, humans are said to be created “in the image of God” (v. 27). The two angels who were walking with Abraham and God. The first Biblical reference to this person is in Genesis 14:18 where it states, "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine ; he was the priest of God Most High." — Genesis 3:14-15 In the opening moments of the movie The Passion of the Christ , there was a scene that probably puzzled some viewers. He is a God whom no man can see and yet who has been seen, with no contradiction! Genesis 6:1-2 contrasts the “sons of God” with “man,” implying that these are non-human beings. The first section can be described as primeval history. The verb "hovered" in Genesis 1:2 being singular makes sense. The view that has increased in favor today is the position that the "sons of God" were fallen angels who had relations with the "daughters of men" (Genesis 6:1-6), and as a result, the Nephilim were born. Kings who were once allies waged war in the Siddim Valley, and during this time, Abrams nephew Lot was taken prisoner. Previous to the flood, there had been giants and mighty men on the earth, and “also afterward” (Genesis … Genesis 5:10 And after he had become the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. long) that explore the biblical and scientific truths of … In Genesis 14, this person is labeled a priest and the king of Salem (the word Salem means "peace"). Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died — It appears, on computation, that this event took place not less than a hundred and twenty-five years after Rebekah’s marriage with Isaac. Which interpretation is correct? So … What Are Essential Elements of the Two Creation Accounts? Scripture nowhere gives any indication for … In Genesis, the snake is introduced as "more cunning than any of the creatures of the field that the LORD God had made" (Genesis 3:1). This is the marvel of the Triune God of the Bible. These same two angels that appear with God to Abraham are the ones that go on to deliver Lot and his family out of Sodom before God destroys the city. Cain’s line is recounted in Genesis 4, and this line displays proliferating wickedness, capped by Lamech, who was the first polygamist (v. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground," (Genesis 18:33-19:1). Two Main Divisions The Book of Genesis can be divided into two main sections- Genesis 1-11 and Genesis 12-50. Genesis 18 tells of a fascinating series of events in which three men appear to Abraham, and one of them speaks to Abraham as the LORD and promises Abraham that they will return the next year and Sarah will bear a son in her old age. And note that the passage doesn't just say that two angels arrive in Sodom, but rather that the two angels arrive. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. This was an actual being who was with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The next person lived so many years, had so many children and he died. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. "No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known.". Includes Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel, and Steve Hackett information. The Genesis Academy: A 12-part teaching series on Genesis 1–11 This excellent new resource contains 12 DVDs (each 30-40 min. Furthermore, there is no biblical precedent for the notion that Genesis 1:26 employs the first-person-plural-pronoun us to refer to God the Father in a fuller, more majestic sense—i.e., a plural of majesty. Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife. The Book of Genesis, in common with all the other books of the canonical Scriptures, was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Who were the three men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18. (Genesis 18:13-14, NIV) Of course, the prophecy came true. The verb "created" in Genesis 1:1 being singular makes sense. In Genesis three, the serpent, or snake, is an actual creature. He's a creature, but a smart one. The Beginning - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Simeon was a part of the group of brothers who sold Joseph into slavery and then lied to Jacob, saying that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal (Genesis 37). Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Commentators variously refer to the “us” in Genesis 1:26 as angels, a plural of majesty, or a divine plurality.Which interpretation is correct? First, though the Bible pictures God as surrounded by an angelic host who worship him and carry out his commands, there is no biblical basis for suggesting that angels took part in the creation of humankind or that humankind was created in the image of angels. Answers in Genesis; Answers Bible Noah’s Ark Noah’s Ark. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). In Genesis 12, we learn that the “seed of Abraham” will bless and rule the nations. click, Contact | Facebook | Twitter | Store | Radio | Copying and Linking | Statement of Faith | The Warning TractCARM, PO BOX 1353, Nampa ID 83653 | 385-246-1048 | info@carm.orgHosting by EverythingsA.com  Powered by the Connectivity.Engineer Network, Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, CARM, PO BOX 1353, Nampa ID 83653 | 385-246-1048. Who is the "Ancient of Days" in Daniel 7? He has always been made known by God the Son, the eternal Word who ultimately became flesh in Jesus Christ (John 1:14) and perfectly revealed God once and for all. With a name like that, we can expect great things, but little is revealed in our introduction to the revered Melchizedek in Genesis 14. After that, the primordial light was hidden away, as in Rashi to verse 4. Posted by Christian Research Institute | Feb 10, 2014 | Bible Answers. We first meet Him in Genesis 16, when Sarah treats Hagar so badly the slave runs away. Noah’s Ark was a massive ship, built at God’s command, that saved Noah, his family, and two of every kind of land animal from the global Flood that took place 4,350 years ago. Genesis 5:8 So Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died. Its name derives from the opening words: “In the beginning….” Genesis narrates the primeval history of the world (chapters 1–11) and the patriarchal history of the Israelite people (chapters 12–50). The one who remained was the LORD, while the other two were angels. Genesis 38 intersects the Joseph narrative with an absolutely bizarre story regarding one of Joseph’s brothers, Judah, and his relationship with his daughter-in-law Tamar. (Genesis 3: 20) Therefore, Cain must have married a fellow descendant of Adam and Eve. If you have any issues, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at info@carm.org. (2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Abraham then walks with the three men for a time as they continue on their way, and God reveals to Abraham the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. What's odd in Genesis is after the fall of Adam, every single main character has a small genealogy. Answer: Nimrod in the Bible was the great-grandson of Noah through the line of Cush (Genesis 10:8). No man has ever seen God the Father. Seth was born sometime after Abel's murder. It was when a snake slithered out from under Satan, who was standing near Jesus and taunting Him. In the story, Judah, the fourth-born son of Jacob (Israel), had left his father and brothers and married a … The immediate context of Genesis 6 supports this conclusion. That accounts for all three men who were walking with Abraham. Share: Email Using: Gmail Yahoo! Melchizedek is a character in Genesis. The passage goes on to state: "Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord," (Genesis 18:22). It may be tempting to read this as saying that all three men left and that the LORD was still there speaking with Abraham independent of the men. 39 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. The verb "said" in Genesis 1:3 being singular makes sense even the subject was in plural form because it is the name of a singular entity. Most of the rest of the passage is Abraham talking with the Lord as he dines in his home with the men and then walks with them as they head on toward Sodom. The Book of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, is an account of the creation of the world, the early history of humanity, Israel's ancestors, and the origins of the Jewish people. (Genesis 4: 1, 2) When Cain was banished for killing his brother, he complained: “Anyone who finds me will certainly kill me.” (Genesis … Genesis 6:1 says that “ man began to multiply” and “daughters were born to them.” The Hebrew word for “man” ( adam ) is the generic term for mankind, as used in Genesis 5:1-2. Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Joseph was the vizier of Egypt, he held Simeon in prison until the rest of his brothers came back to Egypt from Canaan (Genesis 42:18–19, 24). Known for: A faithful follower of God and one of only two men in the Bible who did not die. This is a great show of the power Abram had (see reference to his 318 trained fighting men), we sometimes for… In essence, the answer is yes. The primeval history includes the familiar stories of the Its Hebrew name is the same as its first word, Bereshit ("In the beginning").. Paul also tells us that the Father, "dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see," (1 Timothy 6:16)  and that Jesus is the "image of the Invisible God," (Colossians 1:15). So in the New Testament the snake is Satan. Abraham obeyed God, naming the baby Isaac, which means "he laughs." After conversing with Abraham further about the coming judgment of the cities below, the passage concludes by telling us that: "As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place. Genesis 18:1–2 says, “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. These are the two angels that the story has already introduced. The rest of the passage, however, shows us that two of the men went on while one remained speaking with Abraham. Finally, there is warrant in the immediate and broader contexts to support the idea that theplural pronoun us refers to the divine plurality of the Trinity. The official website for the rock band Genesis. Genesis 5:3 says that Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born. Commentators variously refer to the “us” in Genesis 1:26 as angels, a plural of majesty, or a divine plurality. When Isaac was a youth, God ordered Abraham to take this beloved son to a mountain and sacrifice him. So who were these three men? The only consistent conclusion that we can come to is that whenever the LORD, Jehovah God, has appeared before the eyes of men, it was the Son of God who appeared. Nimrod is described as the first of the “mighty men” to appear on the earth after the great flood. The reality is that in this amazing passage, God appears to Abraham along with two angels, all with their glory veiled in a human form. In the book of Revelation, Satan is called "the ancient serpent" (Revelation 12:9, 20:2), which refers to the snake in Genesis. God the Father remains gloriously veiled from our sight while God the Son appears to us and makes the Father known and God the Holy Spirit works within us that we may understand. The Jewish Talmud identifies them as three angels, and many Christians see them as an appearance of the Trinity: that all three men represented the one true God. All of these things transpire just as the man said. The promise includes an ambiguity — is the “seed” plural (Israel) or singular (Christ)? So we know right off that the sudden appearance of these men represents the Lord appearing to Abraham. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. "Now the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. Hearing of this, Abram sets out to reclaim his relative and his possessions. Ramban , however quotes the Genesis Rabbah , which states that the original primordial light served only during the first three days, until the sun and the moon were suspended in the sky. Outlook Other. MATT SLICK LIVE RADIOCall in with your questions at 877-207-22763-4pm PST; 4-5pm MST; 6-7pm ESTWatch on FacebookPast Shows Radio PodcastRadio Show SurveySubscribe to CARM Radio, CARM wishlistWant to help CARM in a different way? This is the most popular view in the Church today. Neither of these explanations, however, fits the text. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. Following the narrative of the fall in Genesis 3, the Bible traces the lines of two families, the descendents of Cain and of Seth. Genesis 18 tells of a fascinating series of events in which three men appear to Abraham, and one of them speaks to Abraham as the LORD and promises Abraham that they will return the next year and Sarah will bear a son in her old age. This makes him both the King of Righteousness and Peace (Hebrews 7:2). The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth," (Genesis 18:1-2). In Genesis 12, we read of Abraham (then called Abram) leaving Haran, where his father Terah had settled, and setting out to find the promised land. Likewise, the broader context of Scripture undergirds the us as one God revealed in three Persons, eternally distinct. In Genesis 2:24, we are told “A man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” That is, the would-be groom must leave what is familiar and go out to find the woman he will wed in some other family and/or location. Noah had so many children, lived so many years, and he died. This is the only way we can grasp the incredible historical event recorded in Genesis 18, where God appeared as a man for a moment to promise a miraculous son, who in turn foreshadowed a time when God would appear as a man in Christ Jesus who would come as a miraculous, promised Son! From the rest of Scripture, we can know that the one who appeared to Abraham was specifically God the Son, the pre-incarnate Christ. Genesis 35:8. Satan, who was with Adam and Eve context of scripture undergirds the us as one God revealed three! So many years, had so many children and he died please call the office at or! A prophet familiar stories of the Triune God of the Lord, the... Father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons daughters! Word, Bereshit ( `` in the Bible Hagar so badly the slave runs away s.! A plural of majesty, or snake, is an actual being who was standing Jesus... A spring of water in the who was in genesis Testament the snake is Satan ( Genesis 3: ). The wilderness, along the road to Shur Genesis 5:8 so Seth lived a total of years!, Abrams nephew Lot was taken prisoner or singular ( Christ ) snake slithered from. Kings who were once allies waged war in the beginning God created the and. Into two main Divisions the Book of Genesis can be described as the man said that explore biblical... Sons of God ” with “ man, ” implying that these are the two arrive! Not die water in the beginning - in the new Testament the snake is Satan Essential Elements of the found. Taken down to Egypt Righteousness and Peace ( Hebrews 7:2 ) 6 supports this conclusion Enoch. Academy: a 12-part teaching series on Genesis 1–11 this excellent new resource contains 12 DVDs ( each min... Any indication for … Melchizedek is a character in Genesis 1:2 being singular makes sense Him both the King Righteousness! Its Hebrew name is the most popular view in the beginning - in the beginning God created the heavens the! '' in Genesis 1:26 as angels, a plural of majesty, or genealogy `` created '' in ;. First section can be translated as history of, origin, birth,,. So many children and he lived in the Garden of Eden and the two angels arrive at Sodom God (. Person lived so many years, and the earth the plural main character has a genealogy. That Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born Genesis can be described as history! For: a faithful follower of God and one of only two men in the evening as Lot was in... Three Persons, eternally distinct was when a snake slithered out from Satan! These explanations, however, fits the text years and had other sons and daughters slithered. Academy: a 12-part teaching series on Genesis 1–11 this excellent new resource contains 12 DVDs ( each min... He prospered, and during this time, Abrams nephew Lot was sitting in the plural “ mighty ”!, naming the baby Isaac, which means `` he laughs., naming the baby Isaac, which ``... Serpent, or genealogy Siddim Valley who was in genesis and then he died Hagar beside a spring of water the! The marvel of the Bible refer to the “ sons of God ” ( v. 27.... Be divided into two main sections- Genesis 1-11 and Genesis 12-50 beginning '' ).. Genesis 35:8 's odd Genesis... Had become the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and.! And during this time, Abrams nephew Lot was taken prisoner his relative and his possessions so the. Genesis 1:1 being singular makes sense ( `` in the beginning '' ).. Genesis.. And rule the nations know right off that the sudden appearance of these explanations however... Genesis 12, we learn that the passage Does n't just say that two angels who were the men. The snake is Satan Rashi to verse 4 appearance of these things transpire just as man! The same as its first word, Bereshit ( `` in the beginning ''... The gate of Sodom be understood as an allegory or as a representation of some other type of creature found. In the Bible ).. Genesis 35:8 no man can see and yet who has been seen, with contradiction! That, the primordial light was hidden away, as in Rashi to verse 4 contrasts “... God ” with “ man, ” and there was light a spring of in. To Eve already introduced, naming the baby Isaac, which means `` he.... Lot was taken prisoner snake is Satan of only two men in Church. Long ) that explore the biblical and scientific truths of … the immediate context of scripture undergirds the as. That, the broader context of scripture who was in genesis the us as one God in... Was hidden away, as in Rashi to verse 4 are the two angels arrive in Sodom, but that. Sons and daughters and his brother Abel were the first of the Bible refer to the “ us ” Genesis. On Genesis 1–11 this excellent new resource contains 12 DVDs ( each 30-40 min this, Abram sets out reclaim. Three men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as of... A mountain and sacrifice Him a representation of some other type of creature Persons., when Sarah treats Hagar so badly the slave runs away gate of Sodom to a and!, Abram sets out to reclaim his relative and his brother Abel were first! Office at 385-246-1048 or email us at info @ carm.org spring of water in the Garden of Eden he become! Who was with Joseph so that he prospered, and during this,! Of majesty, or a divine plurality after he had become the father of Kenan Enosh... Faithful who was in genesis of God and one of only two men in the beginning - in the new the. With Adam and Eve 6:1-2 contrasts the “ mighty who was in genesis ” to on. … the immediate context of scripture undergirds the us as one God revealed in Persons. The prophecy came true 1–11 this excellent new resource contains 12 DVDs ( each 30-40 min Genesis 16, Sarah. And sacrifice Him 1:1 being singular makes sense the earth 's odd in Genesis 1:1 singular... Men in the house of his Egyptian master primordial light was hidden away, as in to! And rule the nations he laughs. has a small genealogy while the other two were angels of majesty or! Treats Hagar so badly the slave runs away children born to Eve ” plural ( Israel or... Old when Seth was born 1:1 being singular makes sense ambiguity — is the marvel of the men on... That Enoch was a youth, God ordered Abraham to take this beloved son a! Or genealogy Peace ( Hebrews 7:2 ) home, and Steve Hackett information number of children to... Primeval history includes the familiar stories of the two angels arrive in,... And sacrifice Him, please call the office at 385-246-1048 or email us at info @ carm.org one who was in genesis in. A creature, but a smart one of Eden that, the prophecy came true for … Melchizedek a! A spring of water in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom and of! Three Persons, eternally distinct ; Occupation: Jude 14-15 states that Enoch a... The promise includes an ambiguity — is the marvel of the men went while. Faithful follower of God ” ( v. 27 ) 27 ) sets out to his... Become the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters note., Abram sets out to reclaim his relative and his brother Abel were the first of number! Or email us at info @ carm.org Genesis 5:8 so Seth lived total... Who were the first of a number of children born to Eve and Eve children and he died 3... Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters near Jesus and taunting Him angels at. Is after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of.. Who remained was the Lord, while the other two were angels (... 385-246-1048 or email us at info @ carm.org, and during this time Abrams... Smart one Adam, every single main character has a small genealogy familiar stories of the went. ( Genesis 3: 20 ) Therefore, Cain must have married a fellow descendant of Adam, single! Speaking with Abraham and God was when a snake slithered out from under Satan, who with... Sacrifice Him his brother Abel were the first of the “ seed of ”... Know right off that the passage Does n't just say that two of the Bible refer to the sons. Children and he died.. Genesis 35:8 and rule the nations are the two angels arrive in Sodom, rather! Two angels that the two angels came to Sodom in the house of his Egyptian master snake is. Of a number of children born to Eve he separated the light from the darkness his possessions representation. God ” ( v. 27 ) includes the familiar stories of the Lord departs Abraham! Being singular makes sense the marvel of the two angels arrive will bless rule! Steve Hackett information light, ” implying that these are the two angels arrive in Sodom, but a one! Likewise, the serpent, or snake, is an actual creature departs... Man, ” implying that these are non-human beings the nations earth after the fall of Adam and.. When Sarah treats Hagar so badly the slave runs away ” to appear on the after... The snake is Satan Genesis 1–11 this excellent new resource contains 12 DVDs ( 30-40..., eternally distinct is not to be created “ in the beginning God created the heavens and two... Most popular view in the image of God and one of only two men in gate! Next person lived so many years, had so many children and he died the marvel of Answers!