Comparison Between the Creation Stories Essay

Comparison between Creation Stories.
The Bible contains two creation stories, the Priestly (P) and the Yahwist (J). Both are thought to have been written by different traditions and around 400 years apart. The Priestly and the Yahwist have many similarities as well as differences. But why do both accounts exist? By studying these two stories a better understanding of the religion truths can be found. Also, how both creation stories help humankind develop a better interpretation of God.
By reading the Creation stories many differences between the Priestly and Yahwist accounts can be noticed. The Priestly (P) account, Gen 1:1 – 2:4b, was written around the time of the Exile, roughly around 550 – 450 BCE. While the Yahwist (J) account, Gen 2:4b – 25, is written around the time of Solomon, 960 – 930 BCE. The most obvious difference between two accounts is that the Priestly account is written in a repetitive style with its seven days, “And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.” (Gen 1:13). Whereas the Yahwist tradition isn’t written with a systematic way but with an overview style and using anthropomorphic images, “then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being” (Gen 2:7). Another interesting difference between the two accounts is the creation of Human Beings. The Priestly account states that Human Beings were created in His image at the same time, representing equality. However the Yahwist is written saying that man was created first, after that all the animals and vegetation and then women as man’s companion. These are only a few in many differences, although all these points make it possible to help expand knowledge about the Lord.
Despite the fact that there are many differences, one can find numerous similarities in both accounts. There was only one God who created the world. In the beginning of the world was nothing, “The earth was a formless...