In the Israelite account the elements are dust and the breath of Deity. These have a ring of familiarity about them, but with some important distinctions. Like a number of the ancient Near Eastern accounts, there is no physical element provided by Deity (tears, blood, or flesh). The breath, as in the Egyptian accounts, is not a part of Deity, though it indicates that Deity is the source of life. In both Egypt and Israel, the breath of the deity characterizes all sentient life, not just humans. Furthermore, one should notice that with regard to the nondivine ingredients from which living beings
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