The Discovery of Genesis (29 page)

The beauty of the newly created earth is beyond our imagination, but by examining the radical,
gold
, we can begin to appreciate the lovely domain of Adam and Eve. The three horizontal lines again suggest the realms of heaven, sea, and earth given to the first representatives of
mankind
. The figure
means
king.
The two diagonal strokes projecting from the ground
remind us of the
light
shining from their glorious bodies. Perhaps the ground reflected this light on scattered
golden
nuggets. There may have been other precious jewels as well, for God had created an exquisite paradise for them. “And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there”
³
(Genesis 2:12).

God at this point in time had finished His work of creation. “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them” (Genesis 2:1). One word for
finish or complete
is
. Again the key for
roof or house
is seen, together with
,
beginning or first.
As previously dissected,
indicates two adult persons. With the foundation of this first home, therefore, the human family was begun, and the purpose of creation had been
completed
, and thus memorialized in the first marriage. Everything upon the earth had been formed for the ultimate joy and benefit of its human occupants.

It is significant also that this symbol
indicates a
finished
creation rather than a continuous process which would have large numbers of humans gradually developing from lower forms of life.