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Genesis 2:4 - Divine creation's hidden depths

Genesis 2:4 - בראשית 2:4

Hebrew Text

אֵלֶּה תוֹלְדוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ בְּהִבָּרְאָם בְּיוֹם עֲשׂוֹת יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶרֶץ וְשָׁמָיִם׃

English Translation

These are the generations of the heaven and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

Transliteration

Ele toldot hashamayim veha'aretz behibaram beyom asot Adonai Elohim eretz veshamayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֵ֣לֶּה תוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּ<small>הִ</small>בָּֽרְאָ֑ם בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם׃
אֵ֣לֶּה תוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִבָּֽרְאָ֑ם בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Genesis 2:4) serves as a transition between the account of Creation in Genesis 1 and the subsequent narrative. It summarizes the creation of heaven and earth while introducing a shift in focus toward the detailed story of Adam and humanity. The phrasing "אֵלֶּה תוֹלְדוֹת" ("These are the generations") is significant, as this formula appears throughout Genesis to introduce new sections.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) explains that the phrase "בְּהִבָּרְאָם" ("when they were created") is written with a small ה (heh), hinting at a deeper meaning. He cites the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 12:10), which teaches that the world was created with the letter ה, representing divine mercy. The small ה suggests that the world was created with a diminished measure of mercy, implying that strict justice was also present at Creation.

Rambam's Perspective

Maimonides (Rambam) in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:30) discusses the phrase "בְּיוֹם עֲשׂוֹת" ("in the day that the Lord God made"). He explains that the Torah uses anthropomorphic language ("day") to describe Creation in terms humans can comprehend, though time as we know it did not exist before Creation. This aligns with the philosophical understanding that Hashem transcends time.

Midrashic Interpretations

  • Bereshit Rabbah (12:9): The Midrash notes that "heaven and earth" are mentioned in reverse order here ("earth and heavens") compared to Genesis 1:1. This teaches that both were equally important in Creation—heaven for spiritual matters and earth for physical existence.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Buber, Bereishit 11): Suggests that the verse emphasizes the completeness of Creation, as it uses the divine name "יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים," combining mercy (Hashem) and justice (Elokim), indicating that the world was perfected through both attributes.

Kabbalistic Insight (Zohar)

The Zohar (1:15b) interprets "תוֹלְדוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ" ("generations of heaven and earth") as referring to the spiritual and physical emanations that sustain the universe. The phrase "בְּהִבָּרְאָם" is read as "בְּה״ בָּרָאָם"—"with the letter ה, He created them," alluding to the divine energy channeled through the sefirot.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Chagigah 12a) derives from this verse that the heavens were created first, followed by the earth, yet both were completed simultaneously. This reflects the principle that divine acts transcend human logic, as the natural order would suggest earth depends on heaven, yet both were brought into being in harmony.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chagigah 12a
The verse is discussed in the context of the creation of the heavens and the earth, exploring the order of creation and the nature of the universe.
📖 Sanhedrin 38a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sequence of creation, particularly focusing on the phrase 'in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'These are the generations of the heaven and the earth' mean in Genesis 2:4?
A: The phrase 'These are the generations' (אֵלֶּה תוֹלְדוֹת) introduces a summary of the creation process. Rashi explains that this verse serves as a heading for what follows, detailing how the heavens and earth were formed and their subsequent history. It emphasizes that everything in creation has a divine origin and purpose.
Q: Why does Genesis 2:4 mention 'the Lord God' instead of just 'God' as in Genesis 1?
A: In Genesis 1, G-d is referred to as 'Elokim,' representing divine justice, while here He is called 'Hashem Elokim,' combining mercy (Hashem) and justice (Elokim). The Midrash teaches that this shows G-d created the world with both attributes—strict justice tempered by compassion—to sustain it.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens'?
A: The Torah states 'in the day' (בְּיוֹם) to teach that all of creation was completed in a single divine 'day,' as Ramban explains. This underscores the unity and perfection of G-d’s work, even though the physical process unfolded over six days from a human perspective.
Q: How does Genesis 2:4 connect to the previous creation account in Genesis 1?
A: This verse acts as a bridge between the broad overview of creation (Genesis 1) and the detailed account of humanity’s role (Genesis 2). The Talmud (Chagigah 12a) notes that it reiterates creation’s completeness while transitioning to focus on Adam and the Garden of Eden.
Q: What lesson can we learn today from Genesis 2:4 about the world's creation?
A: The verse reminds us that the world is not random but was intentionally designed by Hashem. As the Sforno teaches, recognizing this helps us appreciate our responsibility to care for creation and live purposefully, knowing everything—including humanity—has a divine blueprint.