“An Intertextual Reading of the Narratives of the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:4b–3:24) and the Creation of Humans (Gen 1:26-31) with the Hebrew Wisdom Literature, including an Analysis of the Phrase ‘Knowing Good and Evil’”

Abstract

This study examines the Garden of Eden narrative presented in Gen 2:4b-3:24 and the narrative of human creation in Gen 1:26-31, and attempts to read them intertextually and canonically with the Hebrew Wisdom books of Job, Proverbs, Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes. The phrase “knowing good and evil” provides a starting point for linking the concept of wisdom in the first chapters of Genesis with the Wisdom books later in the canon. Following a discussion of the meaning of that phrase, the thesis discusses its methodology, which is a final form, canonical, intertextual reading. It proceeds with a discussion and intertextual reading of the account of the creation of humans in Genesis chapter 1 with the Garden account of Genesis chapters 2–3. It then moves to the intertextual reading of Genesis with the Wisdom books of Job, Proverbs, Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes.