Expert: Marilyn - 9/25/2004

Question
Why doesn't the Bible mention
these animals? Scientist can prove
they were here before this present
world was here. Is this a puzzle?    Bruce Snow


Answer
Howdy Bruce;

The Bible does mention dinosaurs.  In Genesis 1:21 the creatures whose name is translated variously:  whales, sea monsters, great creatures of the sea, dragons etc. are "taninim gedolim" in Hebrew.  "Gedolim" means big--so that's easy, but "taninim" has been a mystery so Bible translators took their best shot.  However, the singular form of "taninim" appears elsewhere in the Bible and from the context of that passage we can deduce what "taninim" means.

In Exodus 3 God speaks to Moses and tells him to return to Egypt and demand his people's freedom.  When Moses protests God tells him to throw down his staff and when he does it becomes a "nahash," snake, Exodus 4:3.  In Exodus 7:10 when Moses throws down his staff it becomes a "taneen."  Then in Exodus 7:15 it becomes a "nahash."  Therefore, we can deduce that "taneen" refers to the type of animal a snake is, which is a reptile.  Therefore, the "taninim gedolim" are literally the "Big Reptiles."

This places the "Big Reptiles" well before mammals, which in Genesis are referred to as "livestock..." etc. in a later verse.  

It is my belief that Genesis 1:2, where the earth is described as formless and empty, is taken out of the main creation story because it describes the aftermath of satan's expulsion from Heaven.  Isaiah 45:18 says that God did not create the earth to be formless and empty, He created it to be inhabited.  And in Isaiah 14:12- and Ezekiel 28:12- we learn a great deal about satan in his pre-sin state and his fall when he was cast out of heaven.  This verse, Genesis 1:2, is taken out of the main story because God did not want to bring in a distraction from His main point, which was that He saw His creation as "very good."

Thus, Genesis 1:3 is the "first day," just as the Bible says, with the creation of light, an event scientists describe as "the big bang."  God said, "Light Be," and BOOM light was, exploding from the point into which He spoke at a fantastic rate.  

In Genesis the word translated "day" can mean a 24-hour day, the day light hours or an era.  For instance, we might say "the Roman Day," referring to the time period in which Rome ruled the world.  We might say, "Well, that didn't happen back in my day."  So, we still use the term.

The words "evening and morning" can also be translated "disorder to order" therefore the more correct translation would be:  "disorder to order, the first era."  God moved His creation forward in distinct stages in time--time according to HIS point of view.  It has to be from His point of view, humans weren't around yet and the sun isn't even relevant to anything until the fourth "day!"  

The sun's rising and setting is how we measure days.  How humanistic of us to think that Genesis 1 is written from our point of view and that God experiences time as we do.  Just like the church fathers in Galileo's day who almost excommunicated him for saying that the sun did not revolve around the earth, some Christians want to denounce others who say time in Genesis can't be from human's view point, it has to be from God's!  

It is we who revolve around the sun, just as believers revolve around God to receive sustenance.  And it is God who created time and orders it according to His will, not us.  

Anyway, Genesis 1:2, in my belief, would be placed between Genesis 1:21 and 1:24 thereabouts, before mammals show up on the scene.

Genesis chapter two is devoted to a retelling of the creation story from a different point of view, so this method of telling and retelling from a different point of view is a means to story telling used elsewhere in the Bible.  Daniel describes the same prophetic vision from different points of view, the four Gospels tell the same story from four different points of view...

I know you got more than you asked for, but I think I answered your question.  Check out:  The Science of God by Gerald L. Schroeder.  I agree with most of his points except for the age of humanity, I think created in the Image of God human beings have been around a lot longer than he does.

God be with you,

Marilyn