In the margins of eden: unveiling the conflict between man, god, and the serpent

Authors

  • Leo Eduardo Menegusso Valenzi Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo - UNASP/EC, São Paulo, (Brasil)
  • Renato Stencel Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo - UNASP/EC, São Paulo, (Brasil)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19141/1809-2454.kerygma.v19.n1.pe1617

Keywords:

Genesis, Eden, Cosmic conflict, Bible

Abstract

The text of Genesis 2:4b-3:24 presents a conflict involving God, the first human couple, and the serpent. This article examines the plot of this narrative, focusing on the conflict and defining its proportions to observe how the characterization and presentation of the characters affect it. The methodology used consisted of a literature review alongside a close reading of the text. It was concluded that the characterization of the characters and the plot demonstrate that the conflict presented in Genesis 2-3 goes beyond the immediate context and emphasizes a struggle between God and the serpent, with God's character at its center. The conflict is only partially resolved within the immediate pericope, but there is a promise of a definitive solution from God.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Leo Eduardo Menegusso Valenzi, Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo - UNASP/EC, São Paulo, (Brasil)

Bacharelando em Teologia pelo Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo - UNASP/EC, São Paulo, (Brasil).

Renato Stencel, Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo - UNASP/EC, São Paulo, (Brasil)

Doutor em Educação pela Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba — Unimep, São Paulo. Atuou como editor da Imprensa Universitária do Unasp (atual Unaspress). Editor-fundador dos periódicos "Acta Científica" e "Revista Escola Adventista" (ambas publicadas pela Unaspress). Diretor administrativo do Centro de Pesquisas "Ellen G. White" e Centro Nacional da Memória Adventista, situados no UNASP Engenheiro Coelho, SP.

References

ALTER, Robert. Genesis: translation and commentary. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, inc., 1996

BRUEGGEMANN, Walter. Genesis Interpretation: a bible commentary for teaching and preaching. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1982

CHEEK, Jonathan. Recent developments in the interpretation of the seed of the woman in genesis 3:15. Evangelical Theological Society, v. 64, n. 2, p. 215-236, 2021. Disponível em: https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/files_JETS-PDFs_64_64-2_JETS_64.2_215-236_Cheek.pdf. Acesso em: 29 ago. 2023

COETZEE, J. Close reading of the bible. Old Testament Essays, v. 7, n. 4. p. 72-77, 1994. Disponível em: https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10109919_549. Acesso em: 30 abr. 2024

DAVIDSON, Richard. Back to the beginning: genesis 1-3 and the theological center of scripture. In: HEINZ, Daniel; Moskala, Jiří; BEMMELEN, Peter (ed.). Christ, Salvation, and the Eschaton. Berrien Springs, MI: Old Testament Department, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, 2009. p. 5-30. Disponível em: https://www.academia.edu/19770147/Back_to_the_Beginning_Genesis_1_3_and_The_Theological_Center_of_Scripture. Acesso em: 09 maio 2023

DAVIDSON, Richard. Earth's first sanctuary: genesis 1–3 and parallel creation accounts. Andrews University Seminary Studies, v. 53, n. 1. p. 65-89, 2015.

Disponível em: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/auss/vol53/iss1/5. Acesso em: 28 ago. 2023

DEMPSTER, Stephen. Dominion and Dynasty: a biblical theology of the hebrew bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006. (New Studies in Biblical Theology, v. 15).

DORNELES, Vanderlei (ed.). Comentário Bíblico Adventista do Sétimo Dia: Gênesis a Deuteronômio. Tatuí, SP: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, 2011. v. 1.

DOUKHAN, Jacques. Cosmic forgiveness: the riddle of the serpent in genesis 3:15. Shabbat Shalom: A Journal for Jewish-Christian Reconciliation, v. 54, n. 3, p. 28-33, 2007. Disponível em: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/shabbat-shalom/vol54/iss3/6. Acesso em: 28 ago. 2023

DOUKHAN, Jacques. On the Way to Emmaus: five major messianic prophecies explained. Clarksville, MD: Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2015.

DOUKHAN, Jacques. Genesis. Nampa: Pacific Press, 2016. (Seventh-Day Adventist International Bible Commentary, v. 1).

EMMRICH, Martin. The temptation narrative of Genesis 3:1-6: a prelude to the pentateuch and the history of Israel. The Evangelical Quartely, v. 73, n. 1, p. 3-20, 2001.

ERITH, Lionel. Genesis. In: GORE, Charles; GOUDGE, Henry; GUILLAUME, Alfred. A New Commentary on Holy Scripture: including the apocrypha. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1928. p. 36-63.

GONZALEZ, Milton. A narrative analysis of Genesis 3:1-7 and the theological significance of the serpent. 2019. Dissertação (Mestrado em Teologia) - Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 2019. Disponível em: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1144&context=theses. Acesso em: 16 maio 2023.

GOWAN, Donald. From Eden to Babel: a commentary on the book of Genesis 1-11. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1988.

HAMILTON, Victor. The Book of Genesis: chapters 1-17. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1990. (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament)

HENRY, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1997.

HUMPHREYS, lee. The Character of God in the Book of Genesis: a narrative appraisal. Louisville, KY: Westminster Joh Knox Press, 2001.

JAMIESON, Robert; FAUSSET, Andrew; BROWN, David. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1871.

JOHNSON, Andrew. Error and epistemological process in the pentateuch and Mark’s gospel: a biblical theology of knowing from foundational texts. 2011. Tese (Doutorado em Teologia) - St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, 2011. Disponível em: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/1896. Acesso em: 17 set. 2023

KEMPF, Stephen. A discourse analysis of genesis 2:4b-3:24 with implications for interpretation and bible translation. 1995. Tese (Doutorado em filosofia) – Faculté des Etudes Supérieures, l’Université Laval, LAval, Quebec, 1995.

LEWIS, Jack. The woman’s seed (gen 3:15). Journal of the Evangelical Theological, v. 34, n. 3, p. 299-319, 1991. Disponível em: https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/files_JETS-PDFs_34_34-3_34-3-pp299-319_JETS.pdf. Acesso em: 19 ago. 2023

MATHEWS, Kenneth. The New American Commentary: Genesis 1-11:26. Nasville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996. (New International Version, v. 1A)

MAGNUM, Douglas; CUSTIS, Miles; WIDDER, Wendy. Lexham Research Commentaries: Genesis 1-11. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.

METTINGER, Tryggve. The Eden Narrative: a literary and relogio-historical study of Genesis 2-3. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns. 2007

MIDDLETON, Richard. The liberating image? Interpreting the imago Dei in context. Christian Scholars Review, v. 24, n. 1, 1994, p. 8-25. Disponível em: https://biblicalelearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Middleton-ImagoDei-CSR.pdf. Acesso em: 16 ago. 2023

MOSKALA, Jiří. You will be like God knowing good and evil: discernment of truth and lies. Journal of Adventist Mission Studies, v. 12, n. 2, p. 10-18. 2016. Disponível em: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/jams/vol12/iss2/3. Acesso em: 14 set. 2023

MOSKALA, Jiří. Origin of sin and salvation according to Genesis 3: a theology of sin. In: HANNA, Martin; JANKIEWICZ, Darius; REEVE, John (ed.). Salvation: Contours of Adventist Soteriology. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2018. p. 119-143.

OJEWOLE, Afolarin. The seed in genesis 3:15: an exegetical and intertextual study. 2002. Tese (Doutorado em Teologia) - Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 2002. Disponível em: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/116. Acesso em: 07 dez. 2023.

PECKHAM, John. Teodiceia do amor: o conflito cósmico e o problema do mal. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, 2022.

PRESTES III, Flavio. Dominion shifts in biblical apocalyptic literature: a narrative reading of Daniel 7 and Revelation 12–14 vis-à-vis genesis 1–3. 2023. Tese (Doutorado em Teologia) – Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 2023. Disponível em: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1801. Acesso em: 04 out. 2023

RANKIN, John. Power and gender at the Divinity school. In: MONROE, Kelly (ed.). Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996. p. 199-204.

RICHARDSON, Alan. Genesis I-XI: Introduction and commentary. London: SCM PRESS, 1953.

ROOYEN, Paisley. The character of God in Genesis 2-3. 2015. Dissertação (Mestrado em Teologia) – Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria, 2015.

SAILHAMER, John. Genesis. In: GAEBELEIN, Frank (ed.). The Expositor's Bible commentary: Genesis - Numbers. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1990. v. 2.

SKINNER, John. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Genesis. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1910. (International Critical Commentary).

STRONG, James. A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

TONSTAD, Sigve. Saving God’s reputation: the theological function of ‘pistis iesou’ in the cosmic narratives of revelation. 2005. Tese (Doutorado em Teologia) - St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, 2005. Disponível em: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/13491. Acesso em: 12 jun. 2023

TONSTAD, Sigve. God of sense and traditions of non-sense. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2016.

TRIBLE, Phyllis. God and the Rhetoric Of Sexuality. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1978.

VOGEL, Christian. The nature of David's kingship at Hebron: an exegetical and theological study of 2 Samuel 2:1-5:5. 2019. Tese (Doutorado em Teologia) - Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, 2019. Disponível em: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1684. Acesso em: 30 abr. 2024

VOGELS, Walter. L’être humain appartient au sol. Gn 2,4b-3,24. In: Nouvelle Revue Théologique, v. 105, n. 4, p. 515-534. 1983. Disponível em: https://www.nrt.be/es/articulos/l-etre-humain-appartient-au-sol-gn-2-46-3-24-919. Acesso em: 29 set. 2023

WALSH, Jerome. Genesis 2:4b-3:24: a synchronic approach. In: Journal of Biblical Literature, v. 96, n. 2, 1977.

WALTKE, Bruce. Genesis: a commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.

WENHAM, Gordon. Genesis 1-15. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987. (Word Biblical Commentary, v. 1)

WESTERMANN, Claus. Genesis 1-11: a commentary. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984

WHITE, Ellen. Patriarchs and Prophets. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1890.

WHITE, Ellen. Harmony with apostate powers a sign of enmity to God. The Signs of the Times, v. 20, n. 32, p. 500-501, 1894. Disponível em: https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/ST/ST18940618-V20-32.pdf. Acesso em: 07 nov. 2024.

WHITE, Ellen. Patriarcas e Profetas. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira

Published

2024-06-10

How to Cite

MENEGUSSO VALENZI, L. E.; STENCEL, R. In the margins of eden: unveiling the conflict between man, god, and the serpent . Kerygma, Engenheiro coelho (SP), v. 19, n. 1, p. e1617, 2024. DOI: 10.19141/1809-2454.kerygma.v19.n1.pe1617. Disponível em: https://revistas.unasp.edu.br/kerygma/article/view/1617. Acesso em: 28 mar. 2025.