Did God create other humans before Adam?

If God created male and female on the sixth day (Genesis 1:27), why then later in Genesis 2 do we learn that Adam was formed from soil and Eve from Adam’s rib?

Genesis 1:1-2:3 is a broad overview of God’s creation regarding the planet earth, its vegetation, animal life, and human creation beginning with the first “day” until God rested on the seventh. In Genesis 2:4 more details regarding the previous verses are given. 

We know this because Genesis 2:4 says, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.” Continuing with this thought, Genesis 2:5 says that there were yet no plants on earth because God had not yet sent rain and there was no man to work the ground. 

From this verse it is clear that no pre-Adamic race was on earth. Then, in verse 6, we learn that streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface. Now the earth was ready for man. It was at this point, the end of the sixth day, that God formed man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). 

Looking back at Genesis 1:27-31, we can see that the creation of our first parents Adam and Eve was very special to God. Their creation was His central divine act at the close of the sixth day. 

God made them in his image (meaning they had the ability to reason and know right from wrong). God blessed them with everlasting life if they continued in harmony with God’s command (see Genesis 2:17). He gave them dominion over the earth and told them to be fruitful and fill it. 

Had Adam obeyed the command of God and not eaten from the tree of good and evil, he would have lived forever in a state of perfection. Because he disobeyed God, he not only forfeited that right, but also plunged his entire progeny into sin and death. However, God in his infinite wisdom sent us a Redeemer— his Son Jesus Christ, who paid the ransom price for Adam so that all who ever lived will have an opportunity for life everlasting on earth or in heaven. 

Based on this scriptural evidence we believe there was no human creation before Adam. Adam’s creation was very special to God. He was God’s first and only human creation from which we all descend. Therefore, when Jesus died for Adam’s sin, He also died for ours. 

To learn more about apparent contradictions in Genesis that can be explained listen to, “What Profound Secret Does Genesis Reveal?” (Contradictions Series, Part V)