Towards a New Understanding of the Image of God in Genesis 1:26-27: An Analysis of the Constructions of the Verb ברא in the Hebrew Bible

Ellen van Wolde
The article counters the common assumption that ברא (Qal) with the subject God means “to create” and the common rendering of humanity being “created in God’s image” in Gen 1:26-27. A number of scholars have expressed doubts about understanding ברא as “to create,” and concluded that ברא might be better understood in terms of separation or division. The present article builds on these arguments, extending them with an analysis of all verbal constructions of ברא (Qal) in the Hebrew Bible, and then proposes a new reading of Gen 1:26-27 based on this analysis.

The Transformation of Moses: Reading Exodus 4:24-26 in Light of Exodus 2:3-10

Laura Hare
This paper examines Exodus 4:24-26 in its context in order to determine the function and meaning of the passage. The paper argues that Exod 4:24-26 acts as a parallel to Exod 2:3-10. In Exod 2:3-10, Moses underwent a life-threatening experience and transformed into an Egyptian. In Exod 4:24-26, he undergoes another life-threatening experience, with two results: Moses is transformed back into a Hebrew, and he transitions into adulthood, making him an appropriate leader for the Hebrews.

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Towards a New Understanding of the Image of God in Genesis 1:26-27: An Analysis of the Constructions of the Verb ברא in the Hebrew Bible

The Transformation of Moses: Reading Exodus 4:24-26 in Light of Exodus 2:3-10