Genesis 1 Vs Genesis 2: 5-23

The two detailed descriptions of creation are found in Genesis 1:1-2:4 and Genesis 2:5-2:23. John Collins states, “The Bible is a product of history. It took shape over time, and its content and even its wording changed in the process.” (Collins, 7) Collin’s chronological outline presents how history emerged from the biblical text and demonstrates the span of thousands of years providing debate and skepticism between the two Creation stories found in Genesis. (Collins, 8) The differences found within the two Creation story suggests the existence of the separate original documents and authorship. Each coming from a unique tradition or culture.
The Creation stories have historically been taught through the concept that the entire Pentateuch was written
The P accounting states fruit trees appear before Adam and Eve while the J recording of the Creation story stated God created Adam, fruit trees and then Eve. The formation of water upon the earth is also a point of difference. In Genesis 1:20 “the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures” and in 2:19 “out of the ground” came all that God created. Also, in the first account, fish appeared on the fifth day but there was no accounting for fish of the sea in the second story of Creation. The P source with its colorful account describes a more active Creator with specific details of elements within the garden such as the “two trees.” (Collins, 41) These trees provide an extended meaning for humankind (Adam); the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The Creator also complicates the plot of creation when it is decreed “it is not good that the man should be alone.” This is comparison to the P account were male and female created