Why the Verb baraʾ Does Not Mean ‘to Create’ in Genesis 1.1–2.4a
Ellen van Wolde · Journal for the Study of the Old Testament · 2009
Ellen van Wolde examines all seven occurrences of the Hebrew verb baraʾ in Genesis 1 and argues that, in this passage, the verb is better understood as referring to separation rather than creation. She tests the proposal through linguistic and textual analysis, comparison with Mesopotamian creation traditions, and other biblical Hebrew evidence. The article is especially relevant to discussions of the opening creation account, the semantics of baraʾ, and whether Genesis 1 itself describes creation out of nothing.