[RaceBannon]

How can the heavens be created on the same day there was a mist rising from the ground in Genesis 2, when these things occurred on different days in Genesis 1?

You are misreading the verse. In Genesis 2, it is spoken of as being a general time, as in 'the general period of time when', not as if it was the same day.

[monkeyshine]

Not according to Rashi. Here is what Rashi says about Gen 4:

This teaches you that all of them were created on the first day.

There is more here, but it is somewhat esoteric. Because if you read this verse in the Hebrew script, the spelling of the word "they were created" is altered slightly to include a small Hey, which of course is used twice in the Hebrew name for God.

He goes on to explain that this infers that God created two worlds, and that this world was created with the letter Hey. "An intimation that the wicked will descend o the nether world, to see the pit like the letter Hey, which is closed from all sides and is open at the bottom [for the wicked] to descend through there.

[Sabertooth]

You are misreading the verse. In Genesis 2, it is spoken of as being a general time, as in 'the general period of time when', not as if it was the same day.

Seems to me that's exactly how I read the verse. Hence my question...

Why is "day" not a twenty-four hour period in Genesis 2:4, yet it must be in Genesis 1?

[CalConservative]

You are misreading the verse. In Genesis 2, it is spoken of as being a general time, as in 'the general period of time when', not as if it was the same day.

Exactly. Genesis is generally attributed to Moses, but biblical scholars generally believe there were two authors, P and J. The first creation account (Gen 1:1 - 2:3) is attributed to P, based on writing styles. Neither author is considered to be Moses, by the way.

Interestingly enough, the Creation Hymn (Gen 1:1 - 2:3), as it is often known, is considered to be the story of Creation handed down through the generations from Adam's time, which is why the poetic style is so distinct.