Why does this chapter use the term “Lord God” rather than “God”

Why does this chapter use the term “Lord God” rather than “God”

as in chapter one

PROBLEM: Many critics insist that Genesis 2 must have been written by someone

different from the one who wrote Genesis 1 , since Genesis 2 uses a different name

for God. However, conservative scholars have always insisted that Moses composed

Genesis, as indeed both Jewish and Christian scholars have down through the

centuries. Indeed, the first five books of the OT are called “the Books of Moses” ( 2

Chron. 25:4 ) or “Law of Moses” ( Luke 24:44 ) by both OT and NT writers.

SOLUTION: Moses did write the first five books of the OT (see comments on Ex. 24:4

). The use of a different term for God in the second chapter of Genesis does not prove

there was a different author; it simply shows that the same author had a different

purpose (see comments on Gen. 2:19 ). In chapter 1 , God is the Creator, whereas in

chapter 2 He is the Communicator. First, man is seen in his relation to the Creator

(hence, the use of “God” or elohim, the mighty one). Next, God is seen as the

Covenant-maker, thus, the use of “Lord God,” the One who makes covenants with

man. Different names are used of God since they designate a different aspect of His

dealings with man (see Gen. 15:1 ; Ex. 6:3 ).