Genesis: Sixth-Day Mankind and Eighth-Day Adam

Have you ever wondered how it’s possible for all of the different races on earth today to have come from only two people, Adam and Eve? Hint: it’s not plausible.

Or, have you ever questioned how it is that Cain, after being forced to leave the Garden of Eden, went to the land of Nod and found a wife? Speaking of Cain, who did he fear would kill him if Adam and Eve were the only other humans in existence at that time? Hint: There must have been other people living outside The Garden of Eden.

These questions are important because people can be turned away from God when they’re given an answer that makes no sense to them. Logic tells us that two people of a specific race are not able to produce offspring of a different race. it’s simply not possible that all the various races came from only two people.

I’ve come across plenty of explanations that attempt to answer these questions, yet God has already provided us with the answers in His Word. Although it’s not difficult to understand, it does require a deeper study. We have to look at some original Hebrew words in the manuscripts (J. P. Green interlinear is a great resource for this), and use the Strong’s Concordance to help us determine their definitions.

Eighth Day Creation

The creation of the human race is a major part of God’s plan for our salvation. It is important to understand that He created our souls within our spiritual bodies prior to creating us in flesh. Knowing this shows the love that God has had for us from the very beginning, even in the world age that existed before this one.

While the concept of salvation and the belief that Jesus was crucified for our sins are known and accepted by Christians, fewer people have been introduced to the fact that Jesus is God in the flesh. Sadly, an even smaller number of people have been taught the existence of two distinct creation events (days) described in Genesis. The first is the sixth-day creation of mankind, which includes all of the races that are on earth today, while the second is the eighth-day creation of Adam and Eve, of the Garden of Eden.

Adam: Man (human), Mankind (species), or The Man (specific person)

Part of this discussion revolves around the word “man,” which is translated from the Hebrew word “adam.” Let’s look up the word “man” in the Strong’s:

As shown, in the Hebrew language the word “adam” is used to refer to man, mankind, or a specific person. So how can we determine the intended definition? Along with considering the context, we can rely on the use of the Hebrew particle “eth” and the article “ha” to help us.

Let’s look at both the Strong’s and the Brown-Driver-Briggs to define the particle “eth”:

So, eth simply tells the reader that a definite direct object follows in the sentence. What is a definite direct object? It is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb. In the Hebrew language, direct objects can be definite (referring to a specific object: the cat) or indefinite (referring to any object: a cat).

A definite direct object is preceded by “eth,” “ha,” or sometimes both. In English, we do not use a marker like “eth,” so it is not translated from the manuscripts into modern versions of the Bible.

If there is an indefinite direct object in a sentence, “eth” or “ha” (or both) are omitted from the sentence or word. let’s look at the following example:

Imagine that we used a definite direct object marker in English:

– I drove (eth) the car. “eth” indicates a definite direct object, specifying a particular car.

– I drove a car. “eth” is not used because “a car” is an indefinite direct object.

Now, let’s examine the article, ‘ha (ה). “ha” is a prefix added to a noun in the Hebrew language to make it a definite direct object. In English, it translates to “the” in the Bible. Here are some examples:

– I ate (ha)cake. “Ha” is added to “cake” to specify a particular cake.

– I ate a cake. “ha” is not used because “a cake” is an indefinite direct object.

If we were to use both “eth” and “ha” it would look like this:

– I ate ‘êth-hacake

Now let’s consider this paragraph, focusing on the word “dog”:

– Michelle went to the animal shelter to adopt a dog. As soon as she got home, the dog jumped on the bed and fell asleep.

In the first sentence, “a dog” could refer to any dog. However, in the second sentence, since “dog” has already been mentioned, we are now discussing the specific dog that Michelle adopted. In Hebrew, this would be written as “hadog” or “‘êth-hadog.”

I apologize for the tedious introduction, but it’s critical for our understanding of the creation of mankind. In the manuscripts, you’ll come across the word “adam” in three different ways (Hebrew is read from right to left):

1. Hebrew: אָדָם

ā·ḏām

man or mankind, referring to the human species.

2. Hebrew: האָדָם

hāā·ḏām

the man, the human, or mankind (the human race).

3. Hebrew: אֵת–האָדָם

êth– hāā·ḏām

Here, we have “eth” followed by “ha” added to the word “adam,” which emphasizes and directs attention to this specific man. It indicates that we are discussing this particular individual.

Mankind Created on Day 6

To begin with, I will focus specifically on the creation of mankind on day 6. It would be beneficial for you to read about the creation days one through five (Genesis 1:3-25) on your own, paying close attention to the order in which things were created. When we reach Genesis 2, you’ll notice that the order of creation is completely different. There are other differences as well, which will also be discussed later. So, let’s started.

In the manuscripts, the word adam is written without the article or particle.

Remember, in this context, adam can refer to either an individual or mankind as a whole. However, considering the word “them” in this verse, “let them have dominion over the fish of the sea…” it is clear that adam refers to mankind, and not an individual man.

Here the manuscripts have “adam” written with both the particle and article: êth-hā·’ā·ḏām. Why? Because “adam” has already been mentioned in verse 26, and we are still referring to the same “adam,” which in this case represents mankind as a whole.

Another thing to note about this verse is the phrase “male and female created he them.” That would make no sense if we were to interpret the word “adam” as “man.”

So, on the sixth-day God created mankind, which included people of all races, both male and female. Afterwards, God said his creation was “very good” (Genesis 1:31), and on the seventh day he rested.

The Man Adam Formed on Day 8

Now let’s move on to Genesis 2:5 and read about the formation of the specific individual known as Adam, from the Garden of Eden. This event is often said to have occurred on the eighth day, but the Bible does not explicitly say which day it was, only that it was after he rested on day seven. So the term eighth-day is used to represent the period that follows the seventh-day. Interestingly, the number 8 means new beginnings. With this in mind, let’s get started.

In this verse, the manuscripts do not include the particle “eth” or the article “ha” with the word adam. This means that we are not referring to the same adam mentioned previously in Genesis 1. The context also supports this interpretation. On the seventh day God rested, and only now is it stated that there is no man to till the ground.

In Genesis 1 God created hunters, gatherers, and fishers on day 6, but why was there no mention of anyone to work the land (i.e. a farmer)? It’s because God had a specific plan for our salvation, and he is about to form a particular man (and woman) for a special purpose. Let’s continue:

In Gen 2:7 “adam” is written as “êth-hā·’ā·ḏām,” emphasizing that God is referring to the man previously mentioned in verse 2:5, who is “a man to till the ground.”

Once again, in the manuscripts, “adam” is written as “êth-hā·’ā·ḏām.” This time the King James Version correctly translates it as “the man.”

The prior instances of the word adam were not correctly translated in the KJV. Some people are very sensitive about the topic of translation errors in the Bible, and that’s understandable. However, it’s a fact that such errors do exist. Even the translators themselves acknowledged this in the introductory note of the 1611 Bible (which was only later removed). They encouraged readers to double check their work.

So far, we’ve looked at the different definitions of the Hebrew word ‘adam,’ and how the correct interpretation strongly supports the fact that Genesis 1 and 2 describe two distinct creation days.

There are many other differences between the creation of mankind on the sixth-day, and the subsequent eighth-day formation of the individual known as Adam from the Garden of Eden. Let’s take a look at them.

Order Of Events

In Genesis 1 God creates birds, plants, animals, and then both males and females at the same time.

In Genesis 2 “the man Adam” is formed first, followed by plants, trees, animals, birds, and Eve.

Some argue that Genesis 2 simply provides more detail about the events described in Genesis 1, but the difference in the order of creation makes this argument impossible.

Also, Genesis 2:1-2 states that “the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them” were finished, and God rested on the seventh day after completing his work.

What does the word host mean? Let’s look in both the Strong’s and Briggs find out:

The phrase “the host of heaven and earth” in this context refers to all of us, God’s children. Some of us already existed in flesh form on earth, while others remained in a spiritual (angelic) body, waiting for their turn to be born. God finished creating “the heaven and earth,” meaning this current earth age, and now rests on the seventh day. Those he created will “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,” as he instructed them to do in verse 1:28. It’s only after God rests on the seventh day that the absence of someone to till the ground is mentioned.

Created VS formed

In Genesis 1:27 God created mankind in his (own) image, whereas in verse 2:7 he formed Adam from the dust. It’s no accident that our Heavenly Father used two distinct Hebrew words with different meanings. Let’s look up both words in the Strong’s:

God created adam, meaning mankind, on the sixth day. Create (bara) means to build something, but look at how he describes forming the man Adam on day 8:

Formed, yatsar in Hebrew, means to press into shape as a potter would mold a vessel. The man Adam was formed from the dust of the ground, and then God breathed (h5397) into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The Hebrew word for breath is neshâmâh, and it means more than just a puff of air. God’s divine inspiration is placing Adam’s soul and spirit into his flesh body.

Specific Instructions Given

In Genesis 1, after creating mankind, God gave them instructions on what they were to do:

First God instructed them to spread out and replenish the earth. The Hebrew word for replenish is mâlê’ or mâlâ’ (h4390). It’s most often translated as fill, but it has also been used to mean refill/replenish (see Gen 9:1). Your concordance will show you additional verses where male/mala is translated as replenish.

Next, God tells mankind to “have dominion” over the wild animals, birds, fish, etc. that He created. God also tells them that all the grain, fruit, and vegetable plants/trees are food for them to eat.

In other words, God has provided everything they need to survive and is instructing mankind to hunt the wild animals and fowl, to fish, and to forage the wild plants and trees for food: fishers, hunters, and gatherers. There was no mention of any specific tree that they were to stay away from.

Now take a look at Genesis 2, when God made êth- hā·’ā·ḏām. He did not give ‘the man Adam’ the same instructions:

First God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden “to dress it and keep it…” because remember, after God rested on the seventh day, he didn’t have a man to till the ground (Gen 2:5). So Adam was to stay in the Garden and care for the land; be a farmer. He was not told to spread out and populate earth.

Next God instructs him that he can eat of every tree in the Garden, except for one, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This was certainty not the same instructions given to mankind on day six.

God made Eve because Adam was alone and God knew that he needed both companionship and assistance in taking care of the Garden. However, on the sixth day creation of mankind, both males and females were created simultaneously.

A Closer Look at the Animals

In Genesis 1 (day six) God made the beasts of the earth, the cattle, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth. There is no mention of them being brought to mankind to be named.

In Genesis 2, (day eight), God formed the beasts of the field and the fowl of the air. Here, the word “formed” is used, instead “made.” Also, unlike on day six, God brought these animals to Adam for him to name.

Importantly, we see two distinct words for the locations where these animals were created. In Genesis 1, the Hebrew word for “earth” is “erets,” which can refer to the entire planet or a specific area of land. However, in Genesis 2, the Hebrew word for “field” is “śâdeh/śâday,” meaning a flat area of land or a field. Let’s look up both words in the Strong’s:

Since “erets” has multiple definitions, we have to consider the context. Throughout Genesis 1 “erets” consistently means the entire planet. For example, when God instructs mankind to be fruitful and multiply and to replenish the earth, it clearly refers to the whole world. However, in Genesis 2, ‘śâdeh/śâday is specifically used to indicate an area of land or a field, rather than the entire planet.

I think it’s reasonable to conclude the “beasts of the earth” that God made on the sixth-day included various species of wild animals and fowl. These animals, such as bears, deer, and hawks are different from the “beasts of the field” that God formed and presented to Adam on the eighth day. The latter group consisted of domestic animals like horses, mules, and chickens; which likely helped Adam with his work in the Garden of Eden.

Elohim: The ‘Us’ in God’s Creation

When God (h430) created mankind in Genesis 1:26-27 he said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”

God himself is speaking in verse 26, but he’s not alone. He didn’t say, Let me make mankind in my image. So, who is this “us” and “our” being referenced? To whom is God speaking?

He’s speaking to the angels, Elohim being God and the angels. But who are those angels? They are us, the host of Heaven, every soul that God created. We were with God in our original spiritual bodies before being born into our flesh bodies. When our flesh bodies die, they return to the dust from which they were created, but our souls instantly return to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Why? Because as written in Ezekiel 18:4, all souls belong to God. We came from God, and we will return to God.

Being with our Heavenly Father in our real bodies is what we most anticipate and look forward to. These flesh bodies just serve as vessels for our souls to reside in for a short time. Being mortal they have limitations, decay, age, and experience pain. The beauty lies in God’s promise: our perfect spiritual bodies, free from the limitations of flesh and never aging or feeling pain again. Do you want know what your angelic body looks like? The next verse tells you:

The word “own” is not in the manuscripts. It’s italicized in the KJV because it was added by the translators. God created our earthly bodies in our image and likeness, which means we look just like we did then, only in the flesh. This is how we will recognize one another in our spiritual bodies, as written in Ezekiel 44:24-25. It also explains how humans can be sustained with manna, i.e. angels’ food (Psalm 78:24-25), and how the fallen angels were able to procreate and impregnate flesh women (you can read about that in Genesis 6 and the book of Jude). God created us in the image and likeness of ourselves.

God also included himself when he said, “Let us create man in our image…” He created Jesus Christ in His own image and likeness. This is why Jesus said, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Let’s document these things further by reading several verses from God’s Word. This is just some of the verses in the KJV, there are others as well. I encourage you to look them up if you’re interested.

The Significance of Two Separate Creation Events

Why did God create a separate man and woman after resting on the seventh day?

The eighth day creation was specifically set aside to be the lineage through which Jesus Christ would eventually be born. Satan was aware of this, and persistently tried to corrupt this bloodline. The first attempt occurred in the Garden of Eden when he seduced Eve. A second attack happened when fallen angels had offspring with the daughters of Adam (Gen 6:1-4).

Although further attempts would be made, they were all unsuccessful. Why? Because God’s plan for the salvation of humanity required Jesus to be crucified on the cross for our sins, becoming the ultimate sacrifice. In order for him to fulfill that role he had to be without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19), and therefore could not and would not come through a bloodline that included Satan, fallen angels, or either of their offspring. God intervened in the lives of this family, from Adam and Eve through the virgin Mary, whenever necessary, to ensure the preservation of a pure genealogy so that His plan would be fulfilled.

Does our Father favor the eighth day creation over the sixth day? No, of course not. After creating mankind on the sixth day, God said it was not just good but very good. In Romans 2:11 we read “for there is no respect of persons with God.” In other words, there is no favoritism. We are all God’s children and he loves us. It is His desire that we believe, repent of our sins, and love him in return. He wants us to receive the gift of eternal life that he has given us through his son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

In conclusion, I want to add a personal note. As I share this study (and others) my hope is always to inspire you to dig deeper into God’s Word. When you have questions, like those asked at the beginning of this post, seek God through prayer. Ask our Father for wisdom and understanding. He loves you so much and when you take time to read His Word you’re showing him love in return, and that pleases him. He will guide you as you study and rightly divide His Word (2 Timothy 2:15).