Hebrew-Parallel: Literary Japanese Translation of Genesis (1)
Hebrew-Parallel: Literary Japanese Translation of Genesis (1)
v1.5
1. Translation Policy
This translation is not a faithful literal translation of the biblical text, but an artistic endeavor (including liberal translation and adaptation) that 're-creates' the spirit of the narrative within the dignified, literary resonance of classical Japanese literature. It aims to express the majesty and dramatic development of the original text through a unique style.
In translating, the following policies were observed:
Conciseness and Rhythm: Following the linguistic economy of haiku and waka, unnecessary particles and decorations have been stripped away to the limit. The repetitive expressions unique to the story of creation are also utilized within this rhythm.
Basis in Classical Literary Style: While based on classical literary language, a balance was sought with readability for modern readers. It aims to reconstruct the text as an artistic literary language while avoiding the vulgarity of pseudo-classical styles.
Strict Style: Hiragana, including archaic forms, has been replaced with kanji as much as possible. Furthermore, by not using honorifics or humble language at all, the fundamental relationship between God, the created, and humanity is expressed more directly and powerfully.
[About the Production Background]
This literary translation was generated and edited through collaboration with AI, based on the creator's clear concept. While the original biblical text is in the public domain, this translation is an attempt at a new creative expression, converted into a unique style based on that original. We welcome readers to freely quote and share this for non-profit purposes such as education, research, and private use. However, please refrain from unauthorized modification or commercial use of the text.
2. Commentary
This translation is an attempt to reconstruct the poetic structure and depth of meaning inherent in the original Hebrew text within the aesthetic style of classical Japanese literary language.
On the Names of God:
In this translation, a distinction is made between 'God (Elohim)' as the transcendent Creator and 'the Lord God (Yahweh Elohim)' as the immanent God deeply involved with humanity.
'In Our Image' (1:26):
Regarding the passage where God speaks in the plural 'in our image,' there are various theories, such as a heavenly council or a plural of majesty, but respecting the original expression, it is translated as 'our'.
Dust of the Ground and Breath of Life (2:7):
The description of forming 'man (Adam)' from the 'ground (Adamah)' and breathing in the breath of life symbolizes that humanity is a being composed of the union of matter and the spirit of God.
'A Helper (Ezer)' (2:18):
The word 'Ezer' referring to the woman is not merely an assistant. In the Old Testament, this is a powerful word also used when God helps humanity, and in this translation, it is rendered as 'one who should help'.
Interpretation of the Rib (2:21-22):
While 'rib' is the traditional translation, the original word also carries the implication of 'side' or 'flank.' In this translation, emphasis is placed on the resonance of the literary language, and the traditional translation has been adopted.
3. Hebrew-Parallel Literary Translation
Genesis Chapter 1
1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ׃
Bereshit bara Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz.
In the beginning / created / God / the heavens / and the earth.
1:2 The earth was formless and void. Darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.
וְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵי תְהוֹם וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל־פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם׃
Vehaaretz hayatah tohu vavohu, vehoshech al-penei tehom, veruach Elohim merachefet al-penei hammaim.
The earth / was / formless / void / darkness / on the face of the deep / the Spirit of God / was moving / on the face of the waters.
1:3 God said, "Let there be light." And there was light.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר וַיְהִי־אוֹר׃
Vayomer Elohim yehi or, vayehi or.
God said / light / be / there was light.
1:4 God saw the light, and it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.
וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָאוֹר כִּי־טוֹב וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ׃
Vayar Elohim et haor ki tov. Vayavdel Elohim bein haor uvein hachoshech.
God saw / the light / that it was good. / God divided / the light / and the darkness.
1:5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. There was evening, and there was morning, one day.
וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים ׀ לָאוֹר יוֹם וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ קָרָא לָיְלָה וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם אֶחָד׃
Vayikra Elohim laor yom, velachoshech kara lailah. Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom echad.
God called / the light / Day / the darkness / called / Night. / There was evening / there was morning / one day.
1:6 God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם וִיהִי מַבְדִּיל בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם׃
Vayomer Elohim yehi rakia betoch hammaim, vihi mavdil bein maim lamaim.
God said / firmament / be / in the midst of the waters / let it be a divider / between water / and water.
1:7 God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so.
וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָרָקִיעַ וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ וַיְהִי־כֵן׃
Vayaas Elohim et harakia, vayavdel bein hammaim asher mittachat larakia uvein hammaim asher meal larakia. Vayehi chen.
God made / the firmament / divided / the waters / which were under the firmament / and the waters / which were above the firmament. / It was so.
1:8 God called the firmament Heaven. There was evening, and there was morning, the second day.
וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ שָׁמָיִם וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם שֵׁנִי׃
Vayikra Elohim larakia shamayim. Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom sheni.
God called / the firmament / Heaven. / There was evening / there was morning / the second day.
1:9 God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶל־מָקוֹם אֶחָד וְתֵרָאֶה הַיַּבָּשָׁה וַיְהִי־כֵן׃
Vayomer Elohim yikkavu hammaim mittachat hashamayim el-makom echad, veteraeh hayabbashah. Vayehi chen.
God said / gather / the waters / under the heavens / to one place / let appear / the dry land. / It was so.
1:10 God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas. God saw that it was good.
וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ וּלְמִקְוֵה הַמַּיִם קָרָא יַמִּים וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי־טוֹב׃
Vayikra Elohim layabbashah eretz, ulmikveh hammaim kara yamim. Vayar Elohim ki tov.
God called / the dry land / Earth / the gathering of waters / called / Seas. / God saw / that it was good.
1:11 God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, in which is the seed thereof, upon the earth." And it was so.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע עֵץ פְּרִי עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי לְמִינוֹ אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ־בוֹ עַל־הָאָרֶץ וַיְהִי־כֵן׃
Vayomer Elohim tadshe haaretz deshe esev mazria zera, etz pri ose pri lemino asher zar-o-vo al-haaretz. Vayehi chen.
God said / bring forth / the earth / grass / herbs yielding seed / fruit trees / bearing fruit / after its kind / which has its seed / in it / upon the earth. / It was so.
1:12 The earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, in which was the seed thereof, after their kind. God saw that it was good.
וַתּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע לְמִינֵהוּ וְעֵץ עֹשֶׂה־פְּרִי אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ־בוֹ לְמִינֵהוּ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי־טוֹב׃
Vattotze haaretz deshe esev mazria zera leminehu, veetz ose-pri asher zar-o-vo leminehu. Vayar Elohim ki tov.
The earth brought forth / grass / herbs yielding seed / after its kind / trees bearing fruit / which has its seed / in it / after its kind. / God saw / that it was good.
1:13 There was evening, and there was morning, the third day.
וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם שְׁלִישִׁי׃
Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom shelishi.
There was evening / there was morning / the third day.
1:14 God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים וּלְיָמִים וְשָׁנִים׃
Vayomer Elohim yehi meorot birkia hashamayim lehavdil bein hayom uvein hallailah, vehayu leotot ulemoadim uleyamim veshanim.
God said / lights / be / in the firmament of the heavens / to divide / the day / and the night / and let them be for signs / and for seasons / and for days / and years.
1:15 "And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so.
וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהָאִיר עַל־הָאָרֶץ וַיְהִי־כֵן׃
Vehayu limeorot birkia hashamayim lehair al-haaretz. Vayehi chen.
Let them be for lights / in the firmament of the heavens / to give light / upon the earth. / It was so.
1:16 God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also.
וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־שְׁנֵי הַמְּאֹרֹת הַגְּדֹלִים אֶת־הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדֹל לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַיּוֹם וְאֶת־הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטֹן לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַלַּיְלָה וְאֵת הַכּוֹכָבִים׃
Vayaas Elohim et-shene hameorot hagedolim, et-hammaor hagadol lememeshelet hayom veet-hammaor hakaton lememeshelet hallailah, veet hakochavim.
God made / the two / great lights / the greater / light / to rule the day / the lesser / light / to rule the night / and the stars.
1:17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth,
וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהָאִיר עַל־הָאָרֶץ׃
Vayitten otam Elohim birkia hashamayim lehair al-haaretz.
God set / them / in the firmament of the heavens / to give light / upon the earth.
1:18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.
וְלִמְשֹׁל בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה וּֽלְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי־טוֹב׃
Velimshol bayom uvallailah, ulehavdil bein haor uvein hachoshech. Vayar Elohim ki tov.
To rule / over the day / and over the night / to divide / the light / and the darkness. / God saw / that it was good.
1:19 There was evening, and there was morning, the fourth day.
וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם רְבִיעִי׃
Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom revi-i.
There was evening / there was morning / the fourth day.
1:20 God said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of the heavens."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה וְעוֹף יְעוֹפֵף עַל־הָאָרֶץ עַל־פְּנֵי רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם׃
Vayomer Elohim yishretzu hammaim sheretz nefesh chayah, veof yeofef al-haaretz al-penei rekia hashamayim.
God said / let swarm / the waters / swarms of living souls / let birds fly / above the earth / on the face of the firmament of the heavens.
1:21 God created the great sea monsters, and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good.
וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הַתַּנִּינִם הַגְּדֹלִים וְאֵת כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ הַחַיָּה ׀ הָרֹמֶשֶׂת אֲשֶׁר שָׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם לְמִינֵהֶם וְאֵת כָּל־עוֹף כָּנָף לְמִינֵהוּ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי־טוֹב׃
Vayivra Elohim et-hattanninim hagedolim, veet kol-nefesh hachayah haromeset asher shartzu hammaim leminehem, veet kol-of kanaf leminehu. Vayar Elohim ki tov.
God created / the great sea monsters / every / living soul / that moves / which the waters swarmed / after their kind / every winged bird / after its kind. / God saw / that it was good.
1:22 God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters in the seas. Let the birds multiply on the earth."
וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים לֵאמֹר פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת־הַמָּיִם בַּיַּמִּים וְהָעוֹף יִרֶב בָּאָרֶץ׃
Vayevarekh otam Elohim lemor, peru urevu umile'u et hammayim bayyamim, veh'of yirev ba'aretz.
God blessed / them / saying / be fruitful / multiply / fill / the waters / in the seas / the birds / multiply / on the earth.
1:23 There was evening, there was morning. It was the fifth day.
וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם חֲמִישִׁי׃
Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom hamishi.
There was evening / there was morning / the fifth day.
1:24 God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kind, cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kind." And it was so.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים תּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה לְמִינָהּ בְּהֵמָה וָרֶמֶשׂ וְחַיְתוֹ־אֶרֶץ לְמִינָהּ וַיְהִי־כֵן׃
Vayomer Elohim totze ha'aretz nefesh hayah lemineh, behemah varemes vehayto-eretz lemineh. Vayehi khen.
God said / bring forth / the earth / living soul / according to its kind / cattle / creeping things / beasts of the earth / according to its kind. / It became so.
1:25 God made the beasts of the earth, the cattle, and everything that creeps on the earth according to their kind. God saw that it was good.
וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ לְמִינָהּ וְאֶת־הַבְּהֵמָה לְמִינָהּ וְאֵת כָּל־רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה לְמִינֵהוּ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי־טוֹב׃
Vayya'as Elohim et hayyat ha'aretz lemineh, ve'et habbehemah lemineh, ve'et kol remes ha'adamah leminehu. Vayyar Elohim ki tov.
God made / the beasts of the earth / cattle / creeping things of the earth / according to their kind. / God saw / that it was good.
1:26 God said, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, all the earth, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים נַֽעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ וְיִרְדּוּ בִדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבְכָל־הָאָרֶץ וּבְכָל־הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל־הָאָרֶץ׃
Vayomer Elohim na'aseh adam betzalmenu kidmutenu, veyirdu vidgat hayyam uve'of hashamayim uvabbehemah uvechol ha'aretz uvechol haremes haromes al ha'aretz.
God said / let us make / man / in our image / in our likeness / let them rule / over the fish of the sea / and the birds of the sky / and the cattle / and all the earth / and every creeping thing / that creeps on the earth.
1:27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים ׀ אֶת־הָֽאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה בָּרָא אֹתָם׃
Vayyivra Elohim et ha'adam betzalmo, betzelem Elohim bara oto, zakhar unekevah bara otam.
God created / man / in His image / in the image of God / He created him / male and female / He created them.
1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth."
וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם אֱלֹהִים פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ וְכִבְשֻׁהָ וּרְדוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבְכָל־חַיָּה הָרֹמֶשֶׂת עַל־הָאָרֶץ׃
Vayevarekh otam Elohim, vayyomer lahem Elohim, peru urevu umile'u et ha'aretz vekhivshuha, veredu vidgat hayyam uve'of hashamayim uvechol hayyah haromeset al ha'aretz.
God blessed / them / said / to them / be fruitful / multiply / fill / the earth / subdue it / rule / over the fish of the sea / and the birds of the sky / and every living thing / that moves on the earth.
1:29 God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת־כָּל־עֵשֶׂב ׀ זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי כָל־הָאָרֶץ וְאֶת־כָּל־הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ פְרִי־עֵץ זֹרֵעַ זָרַע לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה׃
Vayomer Elohim hinneh natatti lakhem et kol esev zorea zera asher al-penei khol ha'aretz, ve'et kol ha'etz asher-bo feri-etz zorea zara, lakhem yihyeh le'okhla.
God said / behold / I have given / to you / every herb / yielding seed / which is on the face of all the earth / and every tree / in which there is fruit / yielding seed / to you it shall be / for food.
1:30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food." And it was so.
וּֽלְכָל־חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וּלְכָל־עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְכֹל ׀ רוֹמֵשׂ עַל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה אֶת־כָּל־יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב לְאָכְלָה וַיְהִי־כֵן׃
Ulekhol hayyat ha'aretz ulekhol of hashamayim ulekhol romes al ha'aretz asher-bo nefesh hayyah, et kol yereq esev le'okhla. Vayehi khen.
And to every beast of the earth / and to every bird of the sky / and to everything that creeps on the earth / in which there is a living soul / every green herb / for food. / It became so.
1:31 God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. There was evening, there was morning. It was the sixth day.
וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וְהִנֵּה־טוֹב מְאֹד וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי׃
Vayyar Elohim et kol-asher asah vehinneh-tov me'od. Vayehi erev vayehi voker yom hashishi.
God saw / everything that / He had made / and behold / very good. / There was evening / there was morning / the sixth day.
Genesis Chapter 2
2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.
וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל־צְבָאָם׃
Vaykhullu hashamayim veha'aretz vekhol-tzeva'am.
The heavens and / the earth / and all their host / were finished.
2:2 On the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל־מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה׃
Vaykhal Elohim bayyom hashvi'i melakhto asher asah, vayyishbot bayyom hashvi'i mikol-melakhto asher asah.
God finished / on the seventh day / His work / which He had done / and rested / on the seventh day / from all His work / which He had done.
2:3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל־מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר־בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת׃
Vayevarekh Elohim et yom hashvi'i vaykaddesh oto, ki vo shavat mikol-melakhto asher-bara Elohim la'asot.
God blessed / the seventh day / and sanctified it / because in it / He rested / from all His work / which God created / to do.
2:4 This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ בְּהִבָּרְאָם בְּיוֹם עֲשׂוֹת יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶרֶץ וְשָׁמָיִם׃
Elle toledot hashamayim veha'aretz behibare'am, beyom asot Adonai Elohim eretz veshamayim.
These are / the generations of the heavens and the earth / when they were created / in the day / the Lord God made / earth and heavens.
2:5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground;
וְכֹל ׀ שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ וְכֹל־עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִצְמָח כִּי לֹא הִמְטִיר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים עַל־הָאָרֶץ וְאָדָם אַיִן לַֽעֲבֹד אֶת־הָֽאֲדָמָה׃
Vekhol si'ah hassadeh terem yihyeh ba'aretz vekhol-esev hassadeh terem yitzmah, ki lo himtir Adonai Elohim al-ha'aretz ve'adam ayin la'avod et ha'adamah.
And every / plant of the field / before / it was in the earth / and every herb of the field / before / it grew / for / had not caused to rain / the Lord God / on the earth / and man / was not / to till / the ground.
2:6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.
וְאֵד יַעֲלֶה מִן־הָאָרֶץ וְהִשְׁקָה אֶת־כָּל־פְּנֵי־הָֽאֲדָמָה׃
Ve'ed ya'aleh min-ha'aretz vehishqah et kol-penei-ha'adamah.
And a mist / went up / from the earth / and watered / the whole face of the ground.
2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
וַיִּיצֶר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָֽאָדָם עָפָר מִן־הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים וַיְהִי הָֽאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה׃
Vayyitzer Adonai Elohim et ha'adam afar min-ha'adamah, vayyippah be'appav nishmat hayyim, vayehi ha'adam lenefesh hayyah.
And formed / the Lord God / man / dust / from the ground / and breathed / into his nostrils / the breath of life / and became / man / a living soul.
2:8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.
וַיִּטַּע יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים גַּן־בְּעֵדֶן מִקֶּדֶם וַיָּשֶׂם שָׁם אֶת־הָֽאָדָם אֲשֶׁר יָצָר׃
Vayyitta Adonai Elohim gan-be'eden miqqedem, vayyasem sham et ha'adam asher yatzar.
And planted / the Lord God / a garden / in Eden / in the east / and put / there / the man / whom He had formed.
2:9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
וַיַּצְמַח יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים מִן־הָאֲדָמָה כָּל־עֵץ נֶחְמָד לְמַרְאֶה וְטוֹב לְמַאֲכָל וְעֵץ הַחַיִּים בְּתוֹךְ הַגָּן וְעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע׃
Vayyatsemah Adonai Elohim min-ha'adamah kol-etz nehmad lemar'eh vetov lema'akhal, ve'etz hahayyim betokh haggan ve'etz hadda'at tov vara.
And made grow / the Lord God / from the ground / every tree / pleasant / to the sight / and good / for food / and the tree of life / in the midst of / the garden / and the tree of knowledge / of good and evil.
2:10 A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
וְנָהָר יֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת־הָגָּן וּמִשָּׁם יִפָּרֵד וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים׃
Venahar yotze me'eden lehashkot et hagan, umisham yipared vehayah le'arba'ah rashim.
A river went out / from Eden / to water / the garden / from there it parted / and became four heads.
2:11 The name of the first is Pishon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
שֵׁם הָֽאֶחָד פִּישׁוֹן הוּא הַסּוֹבֵב אֵת כָּל־אֶרֶץ הַֽחֲוִילָה אֲשֶׁר־שָׁם הַזָּהָב׃
Shem ha'echad Pishon, hu hasovev et kol eretz hahavilah asher sham hazahav.
The name / of the first / is Pishon / it compasses / the whole land / of Havilah / where there is gold.
2:12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
וּֽזְהַב הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא טוֹב שָׁם הַבְּדֹלַח וְאֶבֶן הַשֹּׁהַם׃
Uzehav ha'aretz hahi tov, sham habedolach ve'even hashoham.
The gold of the land is good / there is / bdellium / and onyx stone.
2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Cush.
וְשֵׁם־הַנָּהָר הַשֵּׁנִי גִּיחוֹן הוּא הַסּוֹבֵב אֵת כָּל־אֶרֶץ כּוּשׁ׃
Veshem hanahar hasheni Gihon, hu hasovev et kol eretz Cush.
The name / of the second river / is Gihon / it compasses / the whole land / of Cush.
2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
וְשֵׁם הַנָּהָר הַשְּׁלִישִׁי חִדֶּקֶל הוּא הַֽהֹלֵךְ קִדְמַת אַשּׁוּר וְהַנָּהָר הָרְבִיעִי הוּא פְרָת׃
Veshem hanahar hashelishi Hiddekel, hu haholech kidmat Ashur, vehanahar harevi'i hu Perat.
The name / of the third river / is Hiddekel / it flows / to the east / of Assyria / the fourth river / is Euphrates.
2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
וַיִּקַּח יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָֽאָדָם וַיַּנִּחֵהוּ בְגַן־עֵדֶן לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ׃
Vayikach Yahweh Elohim et ha'adam, vayanihehu began Eden le'ovdah uleshomrah.
God took / the man / and placed him / in the garden of Eden / to cultivate it / to keep it.
2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
וַיְצַו יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים עַל־הָֽאָדָם לֵאמֹר מִכֹּל עֵץ־הַגָּן אָכֹל תֹּאכֵל׃
Vayetzav Yahweh Elohim al ha'adam lemor, mikol etz hagan achol tochel.
God commanded / the man / saying / from every tree / you may eat.
2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
וּמֵעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע לֹא תֹאכַל מִמֶּנּוּ כִּי בְּיוֹם אֲכָלְךָ מִמֶּנּוּ מוֹת תָּמוּת׃
Ume'etz hada'at tov vara lo tochal mimenu, ki beyom acholcha mimenu mot tamut.
From the tree of knowledge of good and evil / you shall not eat / in the day you eat / you shall surely die.
2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים לֹא־טוֹב הֱיוֹת הָֽאָדָם לְבַדּוֹ אֶֽעֱשֶׂהּ־לּוֹ עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ׃
Vayomer Yahweh Elohim lo tov heyot ha'adam levado, e'eseh lo ezer kenegdo.
God said / it is not good / for the man to be alone / I will make for him / a helper / as his counterpart.
2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
וַיִּצֶר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים מִן־הָאֲדָמָה כָּל־חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה וְאֵת כָּל־עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וַיָּבֵא אֶל־הָֽאָדָם לִרְאוֹת מַה־יִּקְרָא־לוֹ וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָא־לוֹ הָֽאָדָם נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה הוּא שְׁמוֹ׃
Vayitzer Yahweh Elohim min ha'adamah kol chayat hasadeh ve'et kol of hashamayim, vayave el ha'adam lir'ot ma yikra lo. Vechol asher yikra lo ha'adam nefesh chayah hu shemo.
God formed / from the ground / the beasts of the field / the birds / brought them / to the man / to see what he would call them. / Whatever the man called / a living creature / that / was its name.
2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
וַיִּקְרָא הָאָדָם שֵׁמוֹת לְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה וּלְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְכֹל חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה וְלָאָדָם לֹא־מָצָא עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ׃
Vayikra ha'adam shemot lechol habehemah ule'of hashamayim ulechol chayat hasadeh, ule'adam lo matza ezer kenegdo.
The man called / names / for the cattle / for the birds / for the beasts / but for the man / a helper / was not found.
2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
וַיַּפֵּל יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים תַּרְדֵּמָה עַל־הָאָדָם וַיִּישָׁן וַיִּקַּח אַחַת מִצַּלְעֹתָיו וַיִּסְגֹּר בָּשָׂר תַּחְתֶּנָּה׃
Vayapel Yahweh Elohim tardemah al ha'adam vayishan, vayikach achat mitzal'otav vayisgor basar tachtennah.
God caused to fall / a deep sleep / upon the man / and he slept. / He took / one / of his ribs / and closed with flesh in its place.
2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
וַיִּבֶן יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים ׀ אֶת־הַצֵּלָע אֲשֶׁר־לָקַח מִן־הָֽאָדָם לְאִשָּׁה וַיְבִאֶהָ אֶל־הָֽאָדָם׃
Vayiven Yahweh Elohim et hatzela asher lakach min ha'adam le'ishah, vayevi'eha el ha'adam.
God built / the rib / into a woman / and brought her.
2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
וַיֹּאמֶר הָֽאָדָם זֹאת הַפַּעַם עֶצֶם מֵעֲצָמַי וּבָשָׂר מִבְּשָׂרִי לְזֹאת יִקָּרֵא אִשָּׁה כִּי מֵאִישׁ לֻֽקְחָה־זֹּאת׃
Vayomer ha'adam, zot hapa'am etzem me'atzamay uvasar mibesari. Lezot yikare ishah, ki me'ish lukechah zot.
The man said / this time / bone / of my bones / flesh / of my flesh. / She shall be called Woman / because from man / she was taken.
2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
עַל־כֵּן יַֽעֲזָב־אִישׁ אֶת־אָבִיו וְאֶת־אִמּוֹ וְדָבַק בְּאִשְׁתּוֹ וְהָיוּ לְבָשָׂר אֶחָד׃
Al ken ya'azov ish et aviv ve'et imo, vedavak be'ishto vehayu levasar echad.
Therefore / a man shall leave / his father and mother / and cleave to his wife / and they shall be one flesh.
2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים הָֽאָדָם וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וְלֹא יִתְבֹּשָׁשׁוּ׃
Vayihyu shenehem arumim ha'adam ve'ishto, velo yitboshashu.
They were both naked / the man and his wife / and were not ashamed.
4. Hebrew Vocabulary List
Below is a comprehensive list of the main Hebrew words appearing in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. This list includes frequently used vocabulary that appears multiple times, as well as important keywords such as "tohu" and "bohu".
יהוה (Yahweh): The LORD, the proper name of God.
אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): God.
תֹהוּ (Tohu): Chaos, formless. (Important vocabulary)
בֹּהוּ (Bohu): Void. (Important vocabulary)
שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim): Heaven.
אֶרֶץ (Eretz): Earth.
מַיִם (Mayim): Water.
יוֹם (Yom): Day.
עֶרֶב (Erev): Evening.
בֹקֶר (Voker): Morning.
עֵץ (Etz): Tree.
אָדָם (Adam): Man.
אֲדָמָה (Adamah): Ground/Earth.
נֶפֶשׁ (Nephesh): Soul, living being.
חַי (Chai) / חַיָּה (Chayah): Living, living creature.
עָשָׂה (Asah): To make, to do.
בָּרָא (Bara): To create.
אָמַר (Amar): To say.
רָאָה (Ra'ah): To see.
קָרָא (Kara): To call, to name.
רוּחַ (Ruach): Spirit, wind, breath.
חֹשֶׁךְ (Choshech): Darkness.
אוֹר (Or): Light.
טוֹב (Tov): Good.
בָּדַל (Badal): To divide.
בֵּין (Bein): Between.
לַיְלָה (Laylah): Night.
אֶחָד (Echad): One.
רָקִיעַ (Raki'a): Expanse/Firmament.
מָקוֹם (Makom): Place.
יַבָּשָׁה (Yabashah): Dry land.
זֶרַע (Zera): Seed.
עֵשֶׂב (Esev): Herb/Grass.
פְּרִי (Peri): Fruit.
מִין (Min): Kind/Species.
יָצָא (Yatsa): To go out, to produce.
מָאוֹר (Ma'or): Luminary.
גָּדוֹל (Gadol): Great.
שָׁנָה (Shanah): Year.
כּוֹכָב (Kochav): Star.
נָתַן (Natan): To give, to set.
שֶׁרֶץ (Sherets): Swarm, creeping thing.
עוֹף (Oph): Bird.
כֹּל (Kol): All.
רֶמֶשׂ (Remes): Creeping thing.
בָּרַךְ (Barakh): To bless.
רָבָה (Ravah): To multiply.
מָלֵא (Male): To fill.
בְּהֵמָה (Behemah): Cattle.
צֶלֶם (Tselem): Image.
דְּמוּת (Demut): Likeness.
רָדָה (Radah): To rule.
זָכָר (Zakhar): Male.
נְקֵבָה (Nekevah): Female.
אָכְלָה (Okhlah): Food.
מְאֹד (Me'od): Very.
כָּלָה (Kalah): To finish.
צָבָא (Tsava): Host, multitude.
מְלָאכָה (Melakhah): Work, task.
שָׁבַת (Shavat): To rest.
קָדַשׁ (Kadash): To sanctify.
תּוֹלְדוֹת (Toldot): Generations, origin.
שָׂדֶה (Sadeh): Field.
עָבַד (Avad): To till, to serve.
עָפָר (Afar): Dust.
יָצַר (Yatzar): To form.
גַּן (Gan): Garden.
עֵדֶן (Eden): Eden.
שִׂים (Sim): To place.
דַּעַת (Da'at): Knowledge.
רַע (Ra): Evil.
נָהָר (Nahar): River.
שֵׁם (Shem): Name.
סָבַב (Savav): To surround/go around.
זָהָב (Zahav): Gold.
הָלַךְ (Halakh): To go, to flow.
לָקַח (Lakah): To take.
שָׁמַר (Shamar): To keep/guard.
אָכַל (Akhal): To eat.
מוּת (Mut): To die.
לְבַד (Levad): Alone.
עֵזֶר (Ezer): Helper.
bo (bo): to come, to bring.
matsa (matsa): to find.
tsela (tsela): rib.
basar (basar): flesh.
banah (banah): to build up.
ishah (ishah): woman.
pa'am (pa'am): time, this time.
etsem (etsem): bone.
ish (ish): man.
azav (azav): to leave.
av (av): father.
em (em): mother.
davaq (davaq): to cling to.
arom (arom): naked.
bosh (bosh): to be ashamed.
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