Framework interpretation

The framework interpretation (also known as the literary framework view, framework theory, or framework hypothesis) is a description of the structure of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis (more precisely, Gen 1:1–2:4a), the Genesis creation narrative.^[1] Biblical scholars and theologians present the structure as evidence that Gen. 1 presents a symbolic, rather than literal, presentation of creation.

The following table illustrates the proposed framework:^[2]

First triad		Second triad
Day 1	Let there be light (1:3).	Let there be lights (1:14).	Day 4
Day 2	Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters (1:6).	Let the water teem with creatures and let birds fly above the earth (1:20).	Day 5
Day 3	Let dry land appear (1:9). Let the land produce vegetation (1:11).	Let the land produce living creatures (1:24). Let us make man (1:26). I give you every seed bearing plant... and every tree that has fruit with seed in it... for food (1:29).	Day 6

^ van Ruiten 2000, p. 9.
^ van Ruiten 2000, p. 10.

[FOOTNOTEvan_Ruiten20009-1] van Ruiten 2000, p. 9.

[FOOTNOTEvan_Ruiten200010-2] van Ruiten 2000, p. 10.

[1]

[2]