How Scholars' Perceptions of the Semantic
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Answers Research Journal 12 (2019):103–178. www.answersingenesis.org/arj/v12/semantic_range_yom_3.pdf Have יֹום How Scholars’ Perceptions of the Semantic Range of Affected Their Discussions of the Age of the Universe: Part 3 John C. P. Smith, Independent Scholar, Grayslake, Illinois. Abstract Before the Enlightenment, most theologians believed the earth was created in the space of a literal week, a notable exception (among others) being Augustine, who interpreted the days of creation figuratively. Most believed that the universe began sometime between approximately 3600 BC and 7000 BC. However, between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries—with the growing acceptance of geological uniformitarianism and, later, Darwinian evolution—an increasing number of eminent scholars advocated a multi-billion-year-old universe and questioned the validity of the biblical account. In order to accommodate billions of years into the Genesis account of origins, theologians proposed a range of new interpretations. Some, such as the Gap Theory, sought to retain a literal understanding of Others, particularly the Day-Age Theory, maintained that the term had a broad semantic range that .יֹום could include a sense of vast periods of time. Over the past two centuries, the issue of the meaning of in relation to the age of the universe has been vigorously debated by many scholars, though ignored יֹום as irrelevant by others. Following an introductory survey of the biblical, historical and theological, and linguistic contexts of in Scripture, and in lexical and other יֹום this issue, the study looks at delineations and definitions of has been discussed in the context יֹום sources. The central analysis examines how the semantic range of of the creation account and in relation to the age of the universe, both historically, and, more particularly, by 40 scholars (or teams of scholars) over the past 50 years. It is evident that a great variety of opinion It is also clear that there is a considerable disconnection .יֹום exists regarding the semantic range of and the formation of creation theology. Most respected lexical יֹום between lexicography regarding yet many theologians believe it to be rather ,יֹום sources do not allow for a broad semantic range for flexible. ;Analogical Days Position ;(היה( בְּ עֵינַיִם כְּ ;in Creation account; age of the universe יֹום ;יֹום :Keywords Augustine; Church Fathers’ view of Genesis 1–2:4; Cosmic Temple Inauguration Theory; Creation days; ;יֹום Day-Age Theory; Day of the Lord; Dual Perspective Theory; Exodus 20:8–11; extended definitions of Fiat Theory; Framework Interpretation; Gap Theory; Genesis 1–2:4; Historical Creationism; historical survey Multiple Gap Theory; 2 Peter ;יֹום from 1967–2017; Intermittent-Day View; modern interpretations of יֹום of .יֹום 3:8b; Psalm 90:4; Reformers’ view of Genesis 1–2:4; Revelatory Day Theory; semantic range of Prologue I have indicated wherever I have added my own I am very thankful for having had the opportunity emphases, except in the case of Scripture quotations. to do this study, which was facilitated through the My preferred means of emphasis is italics. If the guidance of Drs. Richard E. Averbeck and Eric J. quotation already contains italics, then I resort to Tully at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. underlining (and specify so). Additionally, even where I acknowledge with gratitude the kind granting of the quotation does not contain italics, I sometimes permission by Robert I. Bradshaw for inclusion of his still use underlining for the sake of consistency with data regarding early Jewish and Christian views on underlining in other nearby quotations. the length of the days of creation (see page 105). Hebrew Bible quotations are taken from the Introduction text of the 1997 second edition of Biblia Hebraica This work examines how scholars’ perceptions of have affected their יֹום Stuttgartensia (based on the Leningrad Codex B19A), the semantic range of as found in Accordance and BibleWorks, “which has discussions of the age of the universe. While each of been edited over the years to bring it into greater the key elements in this relationship—the semantic and the age of the universe—have indeed יֹום conformity with the Leningrad Codex” (BibleWorks, range of WTT Version Info). Both the Accordance and been studied before, I am not aware of any other BibleWorks versions of BHS include the 2010 WTM study that specifically focuses on the interaction Release 4.14. between the two, across a range of scholarly works. Unless indicated otherwise, all Scripture The subject of creation and origins is popular and translations into English are my own rendering. is often vigorously debated. A key element of enquiry Unless stated otherwise, all instances of emphasis and discussion within this topic is the age of the within a quotation are those of the cited author. universe. Some scholars feel that the Bible does not ISSN: 1937-9056 Copyright © 2019 Answers in Genesis, Inc. 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The views expressed are those of the writer(s) and not necessarily those of the Answers Research Journal Editor or of Answers in Genesis. 104 John C. P. Smith speak to the question of the age of the universe. with the prevailing view of origins. This work may Certainly, the Bible does not make any outright help people understand the various ways that some statement like, “The universe was created by God x biblical scholars, by engaging with the semantic range have explained the Genesis account of ,יֹום thousand or million or billion years ago.” However, of the word other scholars believe that the biblical text does creation as being relevant to the issue of the age of the indeed give indications concerning the age of the universe. universe. In their interactions with the text, many This third part of the larger work presents the core of the study, the analysis of the works of forty scholars (or ,יֹום such scholars make reference to the Hebrew word usually translated “day,” which occurs fifteen times teams of scholars) published in (or translated into) in the thirty-five verses of the Genesis creation English over the past fifty years, which mention the with reference to the age of the יֹום account (Genesis 1:1–2:4). This work examines (1) semantic range of how scholars have understood the semantic range of universe. The sources include monographs, creation whether as always having a narrow, restricted theologies, Genesis commentaries, contributions to—יֹום sense, or as having a broad range of meanings across creation debates, and other scholarly works. Key data different contexts, or as somewhere in between these extracted from these works are tabulated in two extremes—and (2) how these perceptions have Appendix 1. Preceding the central analysis is a brief affected their discussions of the age of the universe. historical survey of interpretation, to show how the always indicate a normal day, or יֹום Must the word has been understood since biblical יֹום semantic range of can it refer to a longer period of time? Does its times, particularly in relation to the age of the universe. flexibility or inflexibility of meaning have anything Then, reflection is made upon the findings of the relevant to say regarding the age of the universe central analysis, highlighting some of the main links, according to the Genesis account of creation? patterns, and trends in the relationships between There are several reasons why this subject might and ,יֹום be viewed as important. Within the Christian church scholars’ perceptions of the semantic range of there has been much discussion, sometimes heated their discussions of the age of the universe. Finally, I and confused, on the issues of creation and, in draw salient conclusions from throughout the study. particular, the age of the universe. It is often asked in Discussions of the Age of the Universe יֹום .could potentially mean in Genesis יֹום what the word It would be helpful to gain a degree of clarity on the The temporal focus of this study is 1967–2017. But has been handled in discussions יֹום breadth of views regarding the semantic range of before analyzing how including those of lexicographers, theologians, pertaining to the age of the universe over the past fifty—יֹום and other scholars—and the kind of reasoning years, we will briefly survey the history of interpretation of .with respect to the days in the creation account prior to 1967 יֹום employed in their discussions of the age of the universe. All of this could potentially aid people in making better-informed decisions about Brief Historical Survey of Interpretation Prior to 1967 within the creation Old Testament Period יֹום how they see the place of debate, and in better understanding those with According to mainline conservative tradition, Genesis different opinions from their own. was written by Moses in the latter half of the fifteenth Outside the Christian Church, many people view century BC (or a couple of centuries later, according to the Bible as irrelevant or unreliable, especially when advocates of a late date for the exodus).1 Elsewhere in it comes to science.