Tag: creeping things

The Name of the Creeping Things

Posted on by jovial_cynic
In Genesis 3, we’re going to be introduced to the Serpent. He’s a “creeping thing,” unlike “wild animals” or “livestock.” All three are listed specifically in the creation account of Genesis 1.But when Adam names in the animals in Genesis 2, notice what’s missing. It’s the “creeping things” of Gen 1:24-25.

Why?

And out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.
Genesis 2:19-20 (NASB)

I’m not sure, but perhaps it’s tied to this:

Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be careful; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.
Exodus 23:13 (NASB)

The creeping things point to the serpent of Genesis 3. The serpent points to all the false gods.

Three Creatures

Posted on by jovial_cynic
Genesis 1 describes 3 types of land creatures: Wild animals (“living ones”) on land, livestock (“mute ones”), and creeping things (“creeping ones.”)

These three distinct titles are given and repeated multiple times in the chapter.

This is probably important.

I think most commentaries point out the history of the Hebrew people. “Livestock” are their own domesticated and known animals, where as the “wild” ones with “life in them” (because they were free) were seen as something different.

Creeping things are always just “icky.”

In Gen 2, Adam will be tasked with naming the “living ones of the field,” and the picture isn’t him naming ALL the animals, but the wild ones and birds that lived nearby.

Perhaps the livestock are already known and named?

And nobody names the creeping icky things. Strange.

Mute

Posted on by jovial_cynic
Weird fact. God described three separate types of land creatures in Genesis 1: Wild animals, livestock, and creeping things.

The Hebrew word used to describe “livestock” comes from a root word that means mute.

As in, “These are the ones that do not speak.”

As opposed to the “wild animals” or the “creatures that crawl.” Or to a particular serpent.

The “creature that crawl” is a word used for “reptiles.” And “wild animals” is literally “creatures that have life in them.”

This is really wild stuff.