Genesis 1 and 2 – Does it present contradictory creation accounts?

Don’t Genesis 1 and 2 present contradictory creation accounts? No, they do not because they are intended to describe different things. God created day by day in Genesis 1, but Genesis 2 is a recap in a shorter versoin.

• Genesis 1
  • Day one – Heavens and earth are created. “Let there be light.” Day and Night.
  • Day two – Atmospheric waters separated from earth waters.
  • Day three – Land appears separating the seas. Vegetation is made.
  • Day four – Sun, moon, stars are made.
  • Day five – Sea life and birds are made.
  • Day six – Land animals, creeping things, and man (male and female) are made.
• Genesis 2
  • States heaven and earth were created. There was no plant yet on earth, no rain yet, and no man. But, a mist rose watering the surface of the ground. Then the Lord formed man from dust of the ground and brea thed into his nostrils the breath of life. Finally, God made Eve.

There is no contradiction between Genesis 1 and 2. Genesis 1 is a detailed explanation of the six days of creation, day by day. Genesis two is a recap and a more detailed explanation of the sixth day, the day that Adam and Eve were made. The recap is stated in Gen. 2:4, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven.” Then, Moses goes on to detail the creation of Adam and Eve as is seen in verses 7 through 24 of Gen. 2. Proof that it is not a creative account is found in the fact that animals aren’t even mentioned until after the creation of Adam. Why? Probably because their purpose was designated by Adam. They didn’t need to be mentioned until after Adam was created.