Quibbling over the meaning of the phrase "beasts of the field" doesn't resolve the problem at all. Since the text also refers to the "birds of the air", and according to Genesis 1 they were created even earlier.
Might I also suggest that if you wish to discuss the Hebrew meaning you should use the actual Hebrew words rather than a translation.
[added in edit] Genesis 1:24 and 1:25 also include a word usually used to refer to cattle ("behamah") in addition to the "beasts of the earth". How, then, can interpreting "beasts of the field" specifically as "cattle" help harmonise the two accounts ?
This message has been edited by PaulK, 11-01-2004 11:50 AM
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