I noticed that the creation account in Genesis one is different than Genesis two. In chapter one God created the animals first. In chapter two He created Adam first, then the animals. Why is this?

Some confusion may enter depending upon the translation you are reading. Chapter one gives the general order of creation. Chapter two gives a more detailed account of the actual creation of man. Let's examine part of this text from the New International Version of the Bible.

The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being....

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
(Gen. 2:7, 18-21)

Notice how verse 19 is best translated, "Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the...." It is not saying that God made man then the animals, but simply states that God had already made the animals and brought them to Adam.


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