The First Book of Adam and Eve

by Rutherford Hayes Platt

The First Book of Adam and Eve

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Classics

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Rutherford Hayes Platt Jr. was an American nature writer, photographer, and advertising executive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherf...

Reviews

[KamRun · Rating 2 out of 5]

کتاب اول "آدم و حوا‌"چِزانی

آدم به خدا گفت: من از گرما پژمرده و از راه رفتن بی‌حال شده‌ام. من از این جهان بیزارم و نمی‌دانم چه وقت مرا از آن بیرون خواهی برد و آسوده‌ام خواهی کرد - برداشت آزاد از کتاب

کتاب اولِ آدم و حوا از مجموعه کتب گمشده‌ی باغ عدن (سوداپیگرافای عهد عتیق). ماجرای کتاب از گناه اولیه آدم و حوا و سقوط آن‌ها آغاز و به کشته شدن هابیل به‌دست برادرش قائن ختم می‌شود. راوی در میان این دو حادثه که هر دو در سفر پیدایش کتاب‌مقدس ذکر شده، به بازگو کردن وقایعی می‌پردازد که اثری از آن‌ها در کتاب‌مقدس نیست؛ از جمله فراز و فرودهای روحی آدم و حوا، گرفتاری‌هایشان در زمین، درگیری‌هایشان با شیطان، وعده نجات آدم توسط کلمه خدا، بدنیا آمدن دختران و پسران و جزئیات قتل هابیل. کتاب را می‌توان از جهتی دیگر غم‌نامه آدم و حوا نام‌گذاری کرد، زیرا احساس ناامیدی و اندوه آدم در تمام قسمت‌های کتاب غالب است (آن دو، بارها دست به خودکشی می‌زنند)
تاریخ دقیق نگارش کتاب مشخص نیست، اما رد قلم یک مسیحی با پیش‌زمینه یهودی در آن قابل شناسایی‌ست. در نهایت کتاب، جهت ارضای حس کنجکاویِ آن دسته از افرادی که روایت سفر پیدایش را باور دارند یا برایشان جالب است انتخاب بدی نیست. اما با توجه به عدم اعتبار آن، بجز وجه اسطوره‌ای و جنبه داستانی، ارزش چندانی جهت مطالعه ندارد

چند بخش از کتاب که برای من جالب بود

اول - نخستین قربانی
آدم و حوا که از شدت ناامیدی و اندوه در حال مرگ هستند، خود را از بالای کوه به پایین پرتاب می‌کنند؛ نخست آدم و سپس حوا. بدن آن‌ها متلاشی شده و خونشان به روی سنگ‌ها و خاک جاری می‌شود. اما خدا کلمه‌ی خود را نزد جنازه آن‌ها فرستاده و دوباره به آنان زندگی می‌بخشد. آدم و حوا پس از زنده شدن سنگ‌ها را مانند مذبح چیده و خاک و شنی را که از خونشان سرخ شده بود، روی آن به عنوان قربانی به خدا تقدیم می‌کنند: اکنون به خون ما که بر این سنگ‌ها تقدیم تو شده است نظر کن و آن را مانند سرودی که در عدن برای تو می‌خواندیم، از ما پذیرا باش.

دوم - درون‌مایه‌های مسیحی
کتاب سرشار از درون‌مایه‌های مسیحی است که به آموزه‌های تجسم، فدیه و وقایعی مانند به صلیب کشیده شدن و قیام مسیح در عهد جدید اشاره دارد. به عناون مثال پس از نخستین قربانی آدم و حوا، خدا به آن‌ها می‌گوید: همانطور که تو خونت را ریختی، من نیز هنگامی که جسمی از نسل تو شوم خونم را خواهم ریخت. ای آدم، همان‌گونه که تو مردی، من نیز خواهم مرد و همانطور که تو مذبحی ساختی، من نیز برای تو مذبحی روی زمین خواهم ساخت و خونم را روی آن تقدیم خواهم کرد.
یا در بخشی دیگر، هنگامی که آدم به خدا التماس می‌کند که او را به باغ بازگردانیده و از آب حیات به او بنوشاند، خدا می‌گوید: چنین چیزی نمی‌تواند امروز صورت گیرد؛ بلکه آن در روزی خواهد بود که به جهنم فرود آیم و دروازه‌های برنجین را بشکنم و سلطنت آهنین شیطان را خرد کنم. آن‌گاه من از روی مهر، جان تو و شایستگان نسلت را نجات خواهم داد و ایشان را در باغ خود آرامی خواهم بخشید و آن در پایان جهان واقع خواهد شد. همچنین آب حیاتی که درخواست می‌کنی نه امروز، بلکه روزی که خونم را روی سر تو در جلجتا بریزم، به تو اعطا خواهد شد. زیرا در آن زمان خون من برای تو آب حیات خواهد شد؛ نه تنها برای تو، بلکه برای همه‌ی کسانی از نسل تو که بر من ایمان آورند

سوم - اندوه و ناامیدی آدم و حوا
آدم و حوا بعد از سقوط و اخراج از باغ عدن، وارد جهانی شده‌اند که همه چیزش برای آن‌ها عجیب و ناشناخته بوده و طبیعت سخت آن بر ایشان غالب است. تا پیش از این آن‌ها آقای عدن و دیگر موجودات زنده بوده‌اند، اما اکنون به فلاکت افتاده‌اند. آن‌ها تاب تحمل رنج این تغییر ناگهانی را ندارند و برای رهایی از آن به هرکاری دست می‌زنند، حتی پایان دادن به زندگی خود. یک جمله کلیدی در ارتباط با این موضوع در کتاب وجود دارد: نباید بگذاریم اندوه و ناامیدی ما دوام آورده و دیر زمانی طول کشد، در غیر این صورت بر ما غالب شده و توکل ما بر خدا از بین خواهد رفت (نقل به مضمون)

چهارم - غار گنج‌ها
آدم و حوا پس از سقوط، به دستور خدا وارد غاری می‌شوند که اندکی بعد غار گنج‌ها نام می‌گیرد. این غار در ابتدا برای آن‌ها ناشناس و ترسناک است، اما مدتی بعد بواسطه هدایایی که خدا از طریق فرشتگان به غار منتقل می‌کند، تبدیل به مکانی نورانی و مقدس می‌شود. این هدایای نمادین عبارتند از طلا، کندر و مُر ( در مورد این سه هدیه در نوشتار کتاب دوم آدم و حوا خواهم نوشت). غار گنج‌ها در دیگر افسانه‌های مرتبط با آدم و حوا به چشم می‌خورد. به عنوان مثال در روایات اسلامی به غار گنج‌ها که آدم و فرزندان و نوادگانش را در آن دفن کرده‌اند اشاره شده است (قصه‌های قرآن / سید جواد رضوی). ا

پنجم - بازی الهی
در چند جای کتاب به این موضوع اشاره می‌شود که خدا از تخطی آدم و هوا و سرنوشتتشان مطلع بود و در جایی دیگر هم می‌گوید به همین دلیل باغ را طوری آفرید که انسان پس از هبوط نتواند از دیواره‌های آن عبور کند (دروازه هم که توسط فرشتگان حفاظت می‌شد). جز این در تمام طول داستان آدم و حوا بیشتر شبیه بازیچه‌های دست پروردگار خود بودند تا آفریده‌هایی که در رابطه‌ای عاشقانه با او باشند. در خصوص نظریه شر تا اندازه‌ای خوانده‌ام و از کم و کیف استدلال‌های خداباوران حول این موضوع باخبرم، در باب علم خدا و تقدیر هم. حتی اگر این نظریه‌ها به مستدل‌ترین شکل ممکن به تببین این موضوع بپردازند و طبق قوانین منطق، عقل چاره‌ای جز پذیرفتن نداشته باشد (که البته چنین هم نیست)، باز هم دلم به حقانیت این موضوع رضا نمی‌دهد و تمام این دفتر و دستک و حرف‌ها در نهایت یک بازی و طرح سادیستیک بنظر می‌رسد.

[Fiona Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading apocryphal literature, especially relating to creation, Cave of Treasures etc. and this was most enjoyable.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting in that this is a very early example of Christian fiction, perhaps as such it exposes some of the legends and ideas that early believers held to. But,I thought it was bleak and although I am sure that Adam and Eve had tremendous regret, I don't imagine they were as weak and helpless and ignorant as in this story.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is truly one of the forgotten books of EDEN. The life of Adam and Eve after they were expelled from Eden. Very nice and good. Even my christian friends doesn't know about these books.

[Robin Brigham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting

It is a laughable read. I see why it was not included in the Bible. Adam and Eve in this book reminds me of the children's book about the Stupids.

[Darnelle Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed insight of the livelihood of Adam and Eve and their descendants.

My first thought instantly after finishing this book is;
WHY DID IT GET TAKEN OUT of the King James version?

I have two reasons, the main one being that it points out that the Jews were going to be against Jesus Christ.
(this does not illustrate that Jewish people are evil, it illustrates that the evil will come up from their kind to go against him)
Adam sacrificed his blood to God and in return God promised he'll also shed his blood for us prophesying that he'll come down to earth in 5500 years from Adams and Eves time line.

Second reason being that ink and paper were not cheap back in the day, and it was essential to shorten the history and the word of God in order for it to be mass produced for everyones benefit.

This book also shows us the fall of humanity, shows the techniques the devil's uses in order to corrupt our being and distract us from praying and fasting for God and ourselves.

God's righteous devout people (the descendants of Enoch) lived on a mountain

The descendants of Cain (entangled in sin) living at the foot of the mountain.

The Devil already captured their souls they saw no consequences for the lives of sin they lead, they had demonic music, colours galore, advancements in earth destroying technologies and Prideful unmoderated men and women.

When the righteous women and men saw the attractions and the people from the bottom of the mountain they couldn't help but feel left out, couldn't help but feel envious of the fun they were having, couldn't help that despite their commitments to God they wished they could live among these people learn from them as well as teach them the ways of God too.

These righteous mountain dwellers could live to up to 1000 years.
Whereas the descendants of Cain seemingly lived shorter lives.

I pondered on the questions of;

Does a life without sin equal to higher life expectancy?

Is life without sin boring?

Are we trading sinful pleasures for a shorter life?

[Joseph Knecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of genesis after Adam and Eve fell from the garden of Eden. It includes the story of the first few hundred days up to the story of Cain and Abel where Cain kills his brother. Its a completely different read if you take the story literally than metaphorically.

If you read it metaphorically, it is all about the temptations that Satan devises in order to trap and kill the first humans. Satan is not an external angel, bur rather it temptations that exist within every human. And humans can't decipher satans requests from Gods request because they all have the same form. And the form is thoughts.

No matter how hard Adam and Eve want to return to the garden of Life, once they have transgressed against God and discovered their true nature, the return becomes almost impossible.

Some paragraphs I enjoyed.
Look at this cave that is to be our prison in this world, and a place of punishment! 4 What is it compared with the garden? What is its narrowness compared with the space of the other? 5 What is this rock, by the side of those groves? What is the gloom of this cavern, compared with the light of the garden? 6 What is this overhanging ledge of rock to shelter us, compared with the mercy of the Lord that overshadowed us.

But now, O Adam, because you fell you are under my rule, and I am king over you; because you have obeyed me and have transgressed against your God. Neither will there be any deliverance from my hands until the day promised you by your God."

and from the moment we transgressed, we were stripped of our bright nature; and our body became brutish, requiring food and drink; and with animal desires.

How, O God? Am I my brother's keeper?

And the seven punishments are the seven generations during which God awaited Cain for the murder of his brother. 28 But as to Cain, ever since he had killed his brother, he could find no rest in any place; but went back to Adam and Eve, trembling, terrified, and defiled with blood. .

[Cendikiawan Suryaatmadja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the Goodreads reviewers were exaggerating when they lambasted the couple, I thought there’s no way I could lose more respect for people who, for at best dubious reasons, violates a simple rule set by the omnipotent. I was wrong… I thought Paradise Lost’s Adam was bad, but at least he had some semblance of dignity, and, albeit deeply misguided, critical thinking. What I instead imagine lead up to the beginning expulsion is that of a toddler who, despite warning labels, swallow Lego bricks because a) an older kid convinced him that the color makes it taste good and b) he can’t read. The portrayal here is insulting to the point of parody(which who knows, it might actually have been).

Here’s a simple drinking game, take a shot every time Adam cried and trembled in fear(two if he also beats his chest) or demonstrate a complete lack of self preservation(includes being tricked by Satan for the 47th time and two if he ends up dying and/or have to be saved by the Word).

Alright to be fair, Adam was created with the body of an adult and so was Eve, so it’s completely possible that when falling both literally have the mental capacity of toddlers, which is evidently the case here. Honestly I blame God, he should’ve done better parenting.

“Then Satan went away ashamed because he hadn't thought his plans all the way through.”
1 Adam and Eve 62:6

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is interesting Christian Fan-Fiction that covers the time from when Adam & Eve have fallen and have been kicked out of the Garden, to when Cain kills Abel. Besides finding that it was originally written in Arabic, there seems to be little agreement of when it was written. Given the heavy Christian (especially Trinitarian) language and imagery used, I have little faith in the claims that date it prior to the Old Testament. I’d probably give more credence to a date in the Middle Ages.

It would be worthwhile to know more about the situation / environment in which this work was created, but without that, we still have an interesting read - and this translation is an easy read.

I enjoyed reading it, and hope the publisher intends to release more :)

[Umar Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

A important read to anyone seeking to gain additional information pertaining to both Adam,Eve,the serpent and the first offspring of Adam and Eve. Never assume because light is shined so abundantly on one version of a great story that it alone is true. I enjoyed how human they became once they left the garden and the emotions they went through together and apart. The supreme creator even after there explusion never lessened love,mercy,and understanding. Dark forces continued to mislead Adam ,Eve,and there offspring but in wisdom trust was given all to the lord. The first meal Adam and Eve ate was a mixture of blood..interesting. Adam and Eve both committed suicide...more interesting.

[Daryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fuller Story of the First Humans

This take is similar in theme, but different in details, from the story I was taught in Catholic school as a young child. It was I interesting to read and to contemplate the differences and odd revelations of things that did not seem to exist during those times on Earth. Still, it was a good read.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of Adam and Eve.

There were some things interesting in this story. I take it as a work of fiction since the Bible doesn't give us any details of the first family. Yet, this book brings up interesting points.

[Jeffrey Groll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome thanks I am interested in books that have been left out of the Bible yes I liked it and I would recommend it to someone else

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[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This is an interesting book to read. Even though it isn't part of the canon, I can see this account of Adam and Eve happening. It does include some parts from the canon. Just a note, Eve did have many more kids after the murder of Abel.

[Gabriel Alejandro Federo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, help to have an idea of the struggles Adan and Eve had on their days in the earth. Most take into account that is not really apocryphal.

[Ryan D. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, insight into the creation myth not fully explained in Genesis. Considered, Apocryphal and left out of newer versions of the Bible one can easily see why this is, so.

[Clifford Capman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole story

You make it easy to read.
We need to be told the whole story.
Also they fill in history gaps.

[Pam McCray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Book of Adam and Eve

I found the book quite interesting. It also provided the missing pieces of the story and help make sense of the Biblical story we've been told.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Although not part of the canon and not for quoting scripture, I find these books very interesting, giving extra info and insight about what was going on at the time.

[Celz Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a strong empath this disheartened me. I felt the great grief, affliction and remorse. The separation to God gave them great grief like death has come but without rest since guilt is with them.

[Timothy Morrison]

Adam and Eve enter Plato's cave! Weird romantic rivalry between caan anD Abel

[Jonathan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book
Seems consistent with protagonists and villains that I know from the Bible and is consistent with their character as well

[Madi Linsenbardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

~brief intermission from normal reading after falling down the rabbit hole of Bible Apocrypha

[Andre Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very eye opening and informative.

[Gloria Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread because I'm adapting this for a film. Cool book.

Original review:
Decided to log these two books separately since my ratings differed. This first book is easily the best book related to the Bible I've read yet. Highly recommend. It's a horrific story of two children, raised as gods, forced to understand the brutality of the world's true nature. Adam and Eve die so many times in this book, many through suicide, and many where Satan literally just comes down and bashes their heads in. And then God raises them back to life. It makes the expulsion from the garden seem almost like a punishment in the greek sense, similar to Sisyphus or Prometheus. God is trying to teach his children not to trust Satan and so he forces them to suffer unimaginable pain and temptation until they can't trust anyone. I think this book works better as a standalone rather than alongside its much shorter second part (and I couldn't find copies of the final two parts) because it feels natural to end this story with Cain returning to his family after killing his brother. That's the moment when Satan's temptation comes for Adam and Eve's children and wins and God chooses not to resurrect Abel. The book raises or draws out a lot of theological and philosophical questions, but it's also just a really effective horror story and work of myth. As a work of horror, it reminded me a lot of this year's 'Smile' except where that film felt let down by how its evil force would lead its victims into false realities making them to distrust everyone, it mostly felt like it was just messing with them until the set date where it would kill them. Here, Satan forces them into paranoia because death means very little to Adam and Eve but suffering means everything, and Satan is really trying to cut them off from God. Really great. Certainly a somewhat challenging work for Christians but I'd argue there's nothing in here that really majorly contradicts Genesis so much as it just adds to and complicates it.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was raised on the King James, and in my heart it will always be my favorite with it's beautiful, poetic rendering of Psalms, Proverbs and the Songs of Soloman. I will admit that the rest of it's translation in most of the other books leaves a lot to be desired. were many places that I found myself mired in confusion, and let's face it, troubled by some of the wording. So much of it just didn't make since to me. If these were the words of God, why were so many people claiming that THEIR holy words were the true words of God and wars were fought and people died to prove it? Who was right???

I felt strange when I first started reading a copy of the NIV version of the Bible. I felt like I had broken some rule, but then I realized that this wasn't true, that these were the same words only in our everyday language not the language used back in the days of King James.

This version of the Bible, however, is different. I downloaded it free from Amazon and it's just a portion, not the entire Bible. It is definately different!!! I am unable to go back into the downloaded version at this time to reread it because my copy of Kindle Reader isn't working and I'm unable to download a new version. If I remember correctly, it is just a portion of the first part of Genesis with Adam and Eve in the Garden.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fictional book of the days (and years) of Adam and Eve. It is considered, by some, as part of some lost books of scripture. I do not hold to that platform, but I wanted to get some of this in my craw.
It is a highly mystical adventure. I find myself constantly on eggshells while reading. Do I go further? Do I put this down. There are many instances of appearances of Satan, including deceptive conversations where he portrays himself as God.
I don't remember how many volumes are supposed to be in this collection, but this one has me doing OK. At this point, I will go back to some calm stuff, like the Book of Enoch.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting little pseudepigraphon, very entertaining to read. Nice to see how through the influence of Zoroastianism and early Pauline Christianity the old tale with the snake we find in the Tanach gets re-interpreted to be all about a fight between good and evil powers (Jahwe and Satan) – and all about the coming savior Jesus Christ. Even though this is no canonical book in any modern Christian denomination, it is very telling about how Pauline Christianity reshaped and distorted Hebrew myths for them to better match its messianic beliefs.

[Anthony Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first and second books of Adam and Eve were written by Seth, their third son. It answers many questions that Genesis leaves out, things 'The Church' doesn't want you to know. Did you know Adam and Eve died over a dozen times, yet God brought them back to life? Details about the garden of Eden, and life after the garden give a much more robust understanding of God and the lives of Adam, Eve, and their descendants that helps you understand today's world and why it is the way it is. A must-read for anyone who wants to enrich their faith and see things for what they really are.

[Arantzazú · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great (and super short!) read. Tells the story of Adam and Eve after they've been expelled from the Garden and why Satan messes with them. Very worthwhile to be preceded or followed by Paradise Lost and the Bible's Genesis.