It is commonly taught, all of the races came from Adam and Eve. However, none of the theories we encounter are Biblical or logical as I will explain in this Bible study. Instead, they are brought about by church traditions.
Christians should understand, there are thousands of Christian denominations and hundreds of English Bible translations. Obviously, their message and those Bibles are different, if not, we would have one Bible and all believe the same thing.
It is for this reason that we must exert extreme caution when we study the Bible, and at times, investigate the manuscripts which we will do in this study.
Theories: Are We Related To Adam And Eve?
There are many theories that attempt to explain how the races came into existence.
- One theory explains the races were created when God confounded the languages of man at the Tower of Babel. However, God never said anything about creating new races, only changing their language in order to stop their work. Bible teachers have simply interjected their own belief into Scripture in an attempt to answer the racial question.
- A second theory explains the races were created by the environment the people lived in. They explain, the closer people migrated to the equator, the darker they became due to the increase in sunlight. Common sense should tell us, an increase in sunlight will certainly “tan” our skin, but it does not change our race.
- A third theory explains Adam and Eve had genes that supported multiple “skin tones” and that is how the races were created. Christians are led to believe, Adam and Eve were capable of producing two African children who went on to create the African race. Somehow, this new race of people were only capable of producing a single race, despite the fact they would have possessed multiple “skin tone genes” as well.
All of these theories are a distortion of Biblical fact and science, and they truly rob each race of their own unique identity and heritage. Common sense tells us, “race” is not defined by “skin tone.” Rather, the differences in race include facial features that are obvious to see from Caucasians to Africans and Asians.
Simply stated, a male and female of one single pure race cannot produce a child of another race. To teach otherwise introduces evolutionary concepts which have no basis in the Word of God. “Evolution” itself has no single set belief, it is guesswork that contains multiple theories in an effort to make the concept fit, it is not a proven fact, and never will be.
The Word Man
This section helps you understand the Hebrew word “man” we will discuss. You may skip ahead and come back to this section as needed.
As we begin our Bible study, it is important to take note of the word “man” in the Hebrew manuscripts, the source of the Old Testament. We will discover the word “man” varies in the ancient language, though we may not see these variations in the English translation of the Bible.
I will point this out to you during our study, it is very important to understand.
If we open the Strong’s Concordance, we discover the word “man” means,
אָדָם
‘âdâm
aw-dawm’
ruddy, that is, a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.): – X another, + hypocrite, + common sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
As we can clearly see, “man” when translated can mean a specific “man” or “mankind” in general.
The word “man” transliterated is “adam,” and it’s pronounced as “aw-dawn’.” So at times, we find the word “man” translated and transliterated, yet it is the same word “man.”
Essentially, “Adam’s” name is “man.”
This can make it difficult for us to understand which “man” is being referenced in Scripture.
Are we talking about “adam” as in “mankind,” or “Adam” as in the specific “man” God formed and placed into the Garden of Eden?
The Hebrew language will guide us in this matter.
For what we will cover in this Bible study, the word “man” appears as “אָדָם” (‘âdâm) in the Hebrew manuscripts. Depending on the subject being discussed, the Hebrew word “man” can have additional Hebrew letters attached to it.
At times, we will find the “particle” “-אֵת” (‘êth) along with the “article” “ה” (Ha) attached to the word “man” “אָדָם” (‘âdâm). We should understand, “-אֵת” (‘êth) and “ה” (Ha) are added to various words in Hebrew, not just the word “man.”
- The “particle” “-אֵת” (‘êth) is not translated into the English language, its purpose is to indicate a direct object is ahead which helps the reader identify “what” or “whom” is being spoken of.
- The “article” “ה” (Ha) adds the English word “the” in front of a noun. In our case, the word “man” “אָדָם” (‘âdâm) to let us know we are talking about a specific man. The “ה” (Ha) is simply attached to a noun when the noun has already been mentioned, this makes it a “definite article.”
Example:
- We are going to a restaurant.
- “The” restaurant had good food.
“Restaurant” in the first sentence was an “indefinite” noun. Once we mentioned “restaurant” in the second sentence, it became specific and takes the “definite article.”
i.e.: The “ה” (Ha) restaurant.
As we learned, when the “article” is attached to a Hebrew noun, the “article” makes the noun specific to the previously mentioned noun. If the “particle” is attached in addition to the “article,” the noun becomes even more specific.
In our case, if we have the “particle” and “article” attached to the Hebrew noun “man,” it then becomes “אֵת-האָדָם” (being read from right to left) pronounced “‘êth-Ha‘âdâm” and makes the word “man” very specific to the “man” being discussed.
In this Bible study, we will find the word “man” as follows;
Hebrew: “אָדָם,” English: “‘âdâm”
Meaning, “man” or “mankind”.
And….
Hebrew: “האָדָם,” English: “Ha‘âdâm”
With the “article” meaning, “the man” or “the mankind.”
And…
Hebrew: “אֵת-האָדָם,” English: “‘êth-Ha‘âdâm”
With the “particle” and “article” meaning and more specific, “the man” or “the mankind.” Note: The “particle” “-אֵת” is not translated into the English language.
Now that we have laid some groundwork, we may continue.
The Sixth Day: Creation Of The Human Race
How then did the races come into existence?
On the Sixth Day of Genesis.
Please turn your Bible with me to,
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let Us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
As we have learned and can see in the manuscripts, “man” in Hebrew is “אָדָם” and can mean either “man” or “mankind.”
However, God was discussing the creation of “man” and called “man,” “them,” plural. This helps us identify, we are talking about all of mankind, all of the races.
Scripture makes it clear, everything was created for God’s pleasure, including mankind, (Revelation 4:11). This verse adds even more clarity and lets us know, in the beginning of their creation, God created mankind to have dominion over the animal kingdom. This was His gift to “them.”
We know from history, early mankind were hunters and gathers until they acquired the ability to farm the soil.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The Hebrew manuscripts make it very clear, the “particle” and “article” are attached to the word “man” which makes the word “the man,” “אֵת-האָדָם,” pronounced “‘êth-Ha‘âdâm.”
The word “man” is now specific, and directs our attention to the “man” previously mentioned in verse 26.
This means “man” should have been translated as “the man” or “the mankind” in verse 27. This would indicate, we are talking about “them,” which includes all of the races who God ‘created male and female’ on the Sixth Day of Genesis.
Despite this fact, mainstream Christianity teaches the word “man” in verse 27 is a reference to the literal man “Adam.” However, that does not fit with the rest of Scripture as we will learn.
Did the Bible say Adam and Eve were “them?”
No, nor was it implied.
We know from Genesis 2:7 Adam was formed before Eve.
Yet, we are told God created “them,” “male and female” which simply means all of mankind, all of the races on the Sixth Day of Genesis.
If we listen to church tradition verse 27 would mean,
‘So God created Adam in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.’
Now think about that.
Right away common sense tells us that is not accurate.
- God did not create Adam “male and female.”
- God did not create Adam “them.”
Obviously, “Adam” could not be “male and female,” nor could Adam be “them.”
All we are talking about in Genesis 1:26-27 is God creating mankind in general. That would be all of the races and the Hebrew helps bring that to light.
Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
In no way shape or form can we conclude this is a reference to Adam and Eve who have yet to be introduced, nor were they ever told this.
The word “them” makes it explicit, and leaves no doubt, we are talking about a group of people here. “Them” being mankind, “male and female,” all of the races God created on the Sixth Day of Genesis.
I want you to note, this creation of mankind was to be fruitful and multiply over all the earth. Which they did, roughly two thousand years before the formation of Adam after the Seventh Day.
Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
God could not have been discussing or talking to Adam and Eve in these verses.
How can we be so certain?
It would create a contradiction in God’s Word, and we know there are no contradictions in His Word, only misunderstandings we have introduced.
Allow me to explain.
God told “them,” the people, the races He created on the Sixth Day of Genesis that every fruit-bearing tree with seed can be used for “meat.” He also told “them” to spread out into the earth, to be fruitful and replenish it.
This word “meat” means, “eat, food.”
Understanding that, I want you to recall what God told Adam who was confined to the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 2:7-8).
Genesis 2:16-17
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
If we believe God was speaking to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:26-31, then the verses we just read create a contradiction in God’s Word.
In Genesis 1:28-29, God told “them,” the people, which we now know are the races, they could eat from any fruit-bearing tree, and they were to spread out into the earth.
Yet, in Genesis 2:8; 16-17, God told Adam he could eat from every tree except one, “the tree of knowledge of good and evil,” and Adam was confined to the Garden of Eden.
Mainstream Christianity teaches, Genesis 1:26-31 and Genesis 2:7-17 are the same account, but we now know that is not possible.
If it were,
- God could not have told Adam he could eat from every tree, and then say he could eat from every tree except for one.
- God could not have told Adam to spread out into the earth, and then place Adam in the Garden of Eden to maintain it.
It cannot be both ways and be the same account.
Instead, what I have explained indicates two different and distinct foundations of mankind.
Not only does the Bible identify two different foundations of mankind, but different locations where they were to live. While the people from the Sixth Day were too spread out into the earth, Adam was to maintain the Garden of Eden.
Moreover, at that point in time, the people from the Sixth Day would not have access to the tree Adam was forbidden from partaking of, as “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” was located in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 2:9).
The Seventh Day: God Rested
Turn your Bible with me to,
Genesis 2:1
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Our Heavenly Father has just finished His creation of mankind, all races on the Sixth Day of Genesis. His Work was now complete, including “all the host of them.”
We should understand, this word “host” means,
“A mass of persons.”
Adam and Eve were not a “mass of persons,” but all of mankind, all of the races certainly were.
Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
With the Work of our Heavenly Father now complete, He took rest. Not that He needed it, but He took it regardless, and this of course, would be our Sabbath Day until Christ became our Sabbath.
The Formation Of Adam
Genesis 2:5
And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
God told us in Genesis 2:1 “the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” Yet, we are being introduced to another man, a specific man, with a specific purpose.
As we can see in the Hebrew manuscripts, we simply have the word “man.” We do not find the “particle” or “article,” which means we are not being referred back to the prior subject of mankind found in Genesis 1:26-27.
Instead, we are being introduced to “a man.” A new and very specific man, with a specific purpose that God will form to “till the ground,” and through this man will come our Savior, Jesus Christ.
If this Scripture was referring back to mankind in Genesis 1:26-27, the “particle” and/or “article” would have been present. This locks in the fact, our Father is explaining two different foundations of mankind.
We learned in Genesis 1:26, God not only created mankind on the Sixth Day, but gifted them with the ability to have dominion over the animal kingdom and all of the fruit. Essentially, they were hunters and gathers, not ‘tillers of the ground.’ They would have to acquire that skill on their own. We can also prove that from history, that is how early man started out for the most part.
However, the man in Genesis 2:5 was to serve a different purpose. This man from the very beginning of his formation was gifted with the ability to “till the ground.” Prior to this event, God did not create a man “to till the ground,” for this specific purpose.
Let us continue.
Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
The Hebrew manuscripts make it very clear, the “particle” and “article” are now attached to the word “man” which means it should have been translated as “the man,” “אֵת-האָדָם,” pronounced, “‘êth-Ha‘âdâm.”
As we previously learned, the “particle” and “article” make the noun very specific and refer us back to the “man” previously mentioned in Genesis 2:5 and no other. “The man” God formed to “till the ground.”
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This makes it absolute, we are talking about:
“The man” God formed in Genesis 2:5 (“a man” our previously mentioned noun).
- “The man” that was to “till the ground.”
- “The man” who was placed into the Garden of Eden.
- “The man” who was not to partake of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
We are not talking about “them” from Genesis 1:26-27, the Hebrew language makes that clear.
- While God formed Adam to be a ‘tiller of the ground.’ He created mankind “male and female” and to have “dominion” over the animal kingdom.
- While God formed Adam to maintain the Garden of Eden. He created mankind “male and female” to “multiply, and replenish the earth.”
- While God formed Adam and barred him from partaking of “the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” He created mankind and allowed them to partake of every fruit-bearing tree.
Two different purposes, for two different foundations of man, which both serve the purpose of God.
Let us continue.
Genesis 2:8
And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
This is the first time the KJV Bible correctly adds “the” in front of the word “man.” This creates the “definite article” that we learned about earlier.
The Hebrew manuscripts once again provide us with clarity and surety by adding the “particle” and “article” to the word “man.” This informs us that we are being referred back to “the man” (“אֵת-האָדָם,” pronounced “’êth-Ha’âdâm”) previously mentioned in Genesis 2:5, 7 and no other.
- “The man” God formed to “till the ground.”
- “The man” God placed into the Garden of Eden.
- “The man” we know as “Adam.”
We should now understand, what has just been described is a separate and specific planting by God after the Seventh Day of Genesis. Obviously, after the Seventh day, the Sabbath Day, time continued on and we now arrive at the eighth day, though it is not explicitly stated.
On this day, our Heavenly Father formed the one specific man Adam to “till the ground,” which is the job of a farmer. God placed this specific man into the Garden of Eden that He planted after “the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them,” (Genesis 2:1).
Cain And The Land Of Nod
We can also prove there were other people on the earth aside from Adam and Eve through other accounts in the Bible.
If you recall, Cain killed his brother Abel, (Genesis 4:8). Due to his sin, God punished Cain greatly by stating,
Genesis 4:12
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
God cursed Cain and removed his ability to till the ground. Cain’s works in the soil would no longer be fruitful and he would now become a fugitive.
Notice, the gift to till the ground was given to Adam by God, and it could be taken away by God. When Adam and Cain sinned, both of their gifts were removed, (Genesis 3:17-18). While mankind from the Sixth Day would have to learn how to till the ground on their own.
Genesis 4:13
And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Pay close attention for me.
Genesis 4:14
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Who is “every one?”
If Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel were the only people on the earth, who is “every one?”
Abel was now dead, so this only left Adam and Eve aside from Cain.
Obviously then, even Cain knew there were other people on the earth. Cain was concerned they would hear about his crime, pursue him, and kill him.
Genesis 4:15
And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
If Adam and Eve were the only people alive outside of Cain, God would have simply told Adam and Eve not to kill Cain.
Therefore, God and Cain are telling us there is a multitude of different people on the earth, and Scripture finds no fault with that.
Genesis 4:16
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
The land of Nod?
If Adam and Eve were the only people alive, how could there be a land named Nod?
Genesis 4:17
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
Not only did Cain travel to the land of Nod which tells us there were other people, but he took a wife from those people and began to build a city. It is also very doubtful that Cain built the city on his own, much less constructed it for himself, his wife, and his child.
Think about it, if a man buys land, he builds a house for his family, he does not build a city.
We should understand, it is not possible for Cain’s wife to have been from Adam and Eve. There is no mention of daughters until later in the book of Genesis. Further, after Cain’s sin, God executed swift judgment and Cain was banished to the land of Nod where he had children of his own as we just learned.
Eve Has Her Third Child
Eve did not conceive again until after this event, and remember, it takes 9 months to have a child.
Genesis 4:25
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
From Eve’s own mouth. She now had “another seed” instead of Abel.
Cain was the firstborn, and moments after his birth, Abel was born. They were fraternal twins. This is why they both brought their offering to God at the same time, (Genesis 4:1-4).
Pay close attention, we are going to break this verse down.
This word “another” means, “next, following.”
While the word “seed” means, “child, posterity” which is “the descendants of a person.”
Eve did not say she was having another son or child.
Eve said, the “next child” she had after Abel was Seth.
This locks the fact, with Cain being the firstborn, there is no room for any other children between the birth of Abel and Seth. Therefore, there were no daughters for Cain to take with him.
Obviously then, there were other people on the earth, and Cain’s wife came from the land of Nod. She was one of our Father’s creations on the Sixth Day of Genesis. The creation He called “very good,” (Genesis 1:31).
Why Did God Create Adam Separately?
Adam was created to establish the family that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would come through. Some of Adam’s descendants would later be called Hebrews. They became known as the 12 Tribes of Israel through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
This is why our Heavenly Father was always involved with the 12 Tribes, they were not only to be the genealogy, the family in the flesh of Jesus Christ, but they were to pass down the Word of God from one generation to the next and share it with the world.
We have more to discuss.
Are We Of One Blood?
Some Bible teachers may be eager to reference Acts 17:26 as proof that mankind, including all of the races came from Adam.
We will turn there in a moment, but let us pick up the subject by turning our Bible to,
Acts 17:24
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.
Who made the world?
God did.
The word “world” means, “orderly arrangement.” We are talking about the “orderly arrangement” of the entire universe, not just the earth.
Acts 17:25
Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.
Who gave life to all?
God did, our Heavenly Father.
Acts 17:26
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.
Right away we have a lot of problems with this verse.
The word “blood” has been added to the Bible. The oldest manuscripts do not have this word. Due to this error, many believe this is a reference to Adam.
Even worse, the New International Version (NIV) and English Standard Version (ESV) Bibles added the word “man” which is not found in the manuscripts either. It is worth noting, the American Standard Version (ASV) and Revised Version (RV) Bibles properly omit the word “blood.”
Further, “nations” means,
A race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): – Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
We are talking about “a race,” God’s Word is telling us He made “all nations,” that is “all races” of men to dwell on the face of the earth.
Not that one race evolved into other races. The Word of God said, ‘He made all races.’
We can take the meaning of this word a bit further, it can also mean “a foreign race” compared to a “jewish,” or better said Israelite race of people.
How can any race be “foreign” if all men came from Adam?
Obviously, not all races came from Adam, but their own unique creation on the Sixth Day of Genesis. The “one” then being referenced is most likely the dust of the earth that mankind was created from, not Adam, (Genesis 3:19, Ecclesiastes 3:20).
Acts 17:27
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.
Who should seek after the Lord?
All nations, all races of people.
Acts 17:28
For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
“Him” and “His” are speaking of “the Lord” from verse 27. From “Him,” from “the Lord” we have our being, from “the Lord” we have our existence, not from Adam.
To clarify the point.
Whose offspring are we?
Acts 17:29
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.
We are all the offspring of God.
In no way shape or form can we reference verse 26 as a qualifier for Adam. The subject is, we are God’s Creation who He has created, not that we are all the offspring of Adam.
We have one final subject to discuss.
Was Eve The Mother Of All?
Some Bible teachers use Genesis 3:20 to explain that Eve was the mother of every human being, all the races, but is that what the Bible explains?
Turn your Bible with me to,
Genesis 3:20
And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
Does this mean Eve was the mother of all races?
I did not read that, nor was it implied.
If anything she was “the mother of all living.” Meaning, every single creature on earth, but we know that is not true. When we study the Bible, we need to clear our mind, and focus on what is written, not add our beliefs to the Scriptures.
Eve had not yet become a mother when Adam made that statement.
Remember, this statement was made right after God cursed the Serpent saying,
I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15
“It” is “He” in the manuscripts and references Jesus Christ who came through Eve’s genealogy. Christ will “bruise” the head of the Serpent who is Satan at His Return, (Revelation 12:9). It then becomes obvious, Adam must have known that through Eve would come the “Redeemer.”
Verse 20 simply stated, Adam called his wife Eve, “she was the mother of all living.” The word “Eve” simply means, “lifegiver.”
Eve is the “lifegiver” in the sense that through her genealogy came Jesus Christ whose sacrifice made Eternal Life possible for the world. Through “Eve the lifegiver” would come, “Jesus Christ the Eternal lifegiver.”
Notice, Adam is the one who made that statement, now listen to our Father’s statement,
Genesis 3:22
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.
God nails it down for us just two verses later.
Jesus Christ is “the tree of life,” without Him, we have no Eternal life.
Summary
As Christians, we cannot and should not accept every doctrine that comes along because “a man of God” told us it is true. We need to verify the Scripture we are given, ensure it is Biblical, and ensure it is logical, (Acts 17:11).
Our Heavenly Father is very logical, He is the most brilliant entity that has ever, or will ever exist.