Women in Genesis

Interpretation is everything when it comes to identifying a text. Readings of one verse "may vary, when in fact they regularly do much more - at times they clearly oppose or contradict each other." 1 Within the book of Genesis we encounter opposition and contradiction in every verse depending on a variety of factors. "...Religious or theological persuasions, or one 's place in history, society and culture" 2 can sway or change an interpretation of text. This being said, the popular and widely accepted interpretations are the ones affecting women and our population in general. The Bible is widely distributed and acknowledged, Genesis is known throughout the world and its social order. Even more so, the creation story is famous, it is mentioned in films, books, school and much more. The interpretation of this story is still additionally accepted, everyone knows the story of the apple and Eve. The impact this one story has on the institution of patriarchy, Phyllis Bird has a good representation : "A hierarchy of order is introduced into the relationship of the primal pair. Mutuality is replaced by rule. Patriarchy is inaugurated. . . . The rule of man over the woman, as announced in Genesis 3:16, is the Bible 's first statement of hierarchy within the species." 3 The potential for this verse to be used for oppressive should not be underestimated. Eve and Lilith, the women of Genesis are sexualized, sin ridden and seen as antagonists within the creation story. Let us see how the interpretation of this take has created societal norms for gender roles.

1 Joel N. Lohr, "Sexual Desire? Eve, Genesis 3:16 and Desire," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2, no. 130 (2011): 227-246.
2 Joel N. Lohr, "Sexual Desire? Eve, Genesis 3:16 and Desire," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2, no. 130 (2011): 227-246.
3 Bird, "Bone of My Bone and Flesh of My Flesh," ThTo 50 (1994): 527. Eve is "second" first woman in the creation story and has a somewhat tarnished reputation in

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