Michael Legaspi’s account “The First Knowers” emphasizes knowledge because the temptation to know good and evil is why Adam and Eve ate the apple from the tree of knowledge. He has interesting points by asserting that by God assigning Adam responsibility of the Garden and of naming all the creatures, that Adam, by having command, also was knowledgeable before eating the apple. Legaspi analyzes knowledge as it pertains to the creation story. He believes that the knowledge that comes from eating an apple from this tree to be “the capacity to make independent judgements concerning human welfare.” In Genesis, it must be eating as they are surrounded by the temptation by looking at the tree daily. Touching and looking at an object can be an accidental act, but the act of consuming a fruit is something one must do voluntarily. Eve fell into temptation by eating the apple, and gave some to Adam as well. They ate the apple, knowing the consequences that God had warned them about. 

Legaspi also suggests that the knowledge will do as the Serpent says to Eve by making her “will be like God, knowing good and evil.” In a way, this does make them more god-like by opening their eyes and understanding what God sees. However, even more so it does not elevate them to a god status. After they eat the apple, Adam and Eve are filled with shame and fear, as well as being banished from the place they call home. By eating the apple, they no longer are immortal, but are sentenced to death at a later time. By banishing them from the Garden, God is showing them mercy. Although He said that if they eat the apple from the tree of knowledge, they “will certainly die,” he postpones this death and allows them to leave the Garden. He even shows them mercy by making clothes to protect them from the elements and to let them leave with dignity. 

In Gen 1:1, it says specifically that God created all of the heavens and the earth. This word choice is important as it signifies that God created the heavens and earth out of the “formless void” that existed before; therefore, he did not just form them out of material that already existed in the universe. Besides himself, God created everything: light, the sky, the earth, the seas, and all the creatures, both on land and in the sea, that inhabit it. He does this in steps as he is not content with his first version of the universe. Therefore, he continues to create new parts such as separating dry land from the seas and putting lights in his dome to shed light on the earth. He continues to create until he is complete on the sixth day. By saying the words “let there be,” he is showing that he is allowing for things to be created and exist in his heavens and earth. He created humankind in his image and gives them power in the earth that he created. This shows that God has given humans special honor that he did not give any other creature on earth. Therefore, humans must act as God would want them to act. Despite creating an entire universe, he gives over his power on earth to the things he created. He entrusts freewill to humans and blesses them, hoping they will stay in the light of God. This allows God to rest on the seventh day. God is all powerful, as shown by Gen 1:1-2:4 through his ability to create everything out of nothing. So in this verse, resting does not mean that God is tired, but instead signifies that he has finished his creation and is satisfied with the universe he created.