Creation/evolution3

[Davka]

The NIV translation uses "God" in the first creation account, and "the LORD God" in the second account and in chapter three. In chapter four, this changes to just "the LORD."

The NIV is translating three distinct phrases here. In Creation 1.0, the Hebrew word is אלהים , elohim, lit. "god(s)." This is translated as "God."

Then in creation 2.0 (starting in gen. 2:4), the tetragrammaton יהוה yod-heh-vav-heh (YHVH) is added, giving us אלהים יהוה , elohim YHVH, lit. "god(s) YHVH." This is translated as "The LORD God."

Finally, the tetragrammaton alone is translated simply as "The LORD."

I never looked before, but you're right - the second account of creation uses the "proper name" of BibleGod, but the first uses simply the generic "god(s)." This is especially interesting in light of ancient (likely pre-Biblical) proto-semitic texts which reference YHVH as the chief god in a pantheon, whose wife happens to be Ashtorah.

It looks like the second account of creation was pasted in to make it clear that the earlier account was talking about YHWH, not some other generic god. This was likely done around the time that YHWH was elevated from pantheon chief to One True God.

It's funny, because the Arabs did the same thing much later, when they elevated Allah, the Moon-God, to the same status.