I am aware, Rolf, that analysts of the Hebrew text of Genesis 1:1 have
noted the possibilities that you mention in your post, much of which I
haven't reproduced. But what ticked off the comment I suggested above was
the fact that the LXX reproduces Gen 1:1 with the opening phrase EN ARCHi
EPOIHSEN ... I remembered this especially after having done a close reading
of Philo's De Opificio Mundi,which subjects Genesis 1-3 to a fascinating
proto-neo-Platonic analysis. So, although I can't prove it, I think it by
no means unlikely that the opening of John 1:1 is influenced by the LXX
opening of Genesis 1:1. That may be wrong, but it seems not at all
implausible to me.
Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics/Washington University
One Brookings Drive/St. Louis, MO, USA 63130/(314) 935-4018
Home: 7222 Colgate Ave./St. Louis, MO 63130/(314) 726-5649
cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu OR cconrad@yancey.main.nc.us
WWW: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~cwconrad/