What are the differences concerning the order of creation in the two accounts of Creation?

Answer

Genesis (1:1-2:4a

In the first creation account in Genesis (1:1-2:4a - up to first sentence of 2:4), creation took six days, after which God rested. Genesis says that the ocean was already present and a wind moved across the surface. The seas rested on the dry land. The order of creation was given as:

1. light [day];
2. the firmament, which was believed to separate the waters of the heavens from the lower waters;
3. grasses and trees
   Note: At this stage, God also gathered the lower waters in one place, and the pre-existing land appeared.
4. sun; moon and stars - the lights in the firmament;
5. fish, land creatures and fowl;
6. man, both male and female.

Notice that the light of day was not yet understood to have originated from the sun, although the sun was universally understood to rule the day. That is why it was possible to have grass and trees before the sun was created.

Genesis 2:4b-2:15

There was pre-existing dry land, but God had yet to make it rain for plants to grow.

1. A spring arose and God took some moist clay and made a man, Adam.
2. After Adam, God created a garden in Eden, and created trees
3. God made the beasts of the fields and birds, one by one, and presented them to Adam, who gave them names.
4. Finally God made woman, in the form of Eve.

In this account, there is no timescale provided for creation. Creation of fish is not mentioned.

Comparison

The second account could scarcely be different from the first. It is usually the first which is thought of for creation of the world and all living creatures in six days, while the second is looked to for creation of humans.

It may seem surprising that, in both creation stories, the basics were already there - the waters, the dry land, the wind and therefore the air. Many experts in Hebrew have carefully examined the texts and confirm that this is what they say. The biblical creations were not ex nihilo.