What is the significance of verb choices in Genesis 1?

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Disclaimer: this is my opinion; I'm not trying to start an argument (or is that implicit in all posts here?)

I wonder if this hints at there being a process at work which is an interplay between God and creation?

I certainly see in the land produced a hint that natural processes were at work, and that God did not instantly "magic" everything into being, but nudged things in the right direction and let them run their (unfallen) natural course.

I don't know for sure, of course; these are hints which not everyone will see, but it's fun to think about it.

I have to add that these thoughts evoke a sense of awe and wonder in me which I find it hard to explain. I find it easier to see how God could have "magiced" a complete creation into being; the thought that there was some kind of process is absolutely beyond my imagination.

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What is the significance of the verb "create" during the creation account?

To answer this question I believe we first need to understand why Genesis was written.

The research that many exegestes, such as James K. Hoffmeier's β€œSome Thoughts on Genesis 1 & 2 and Egyptian Cosmology”, have done conclude that it was written to reject the Egyptian Cosmology (Creation Mythology).

These creation myths are greatly explained in this article: Genesis 1-2 In Light Of Ancient Egyptian Creation Myths by Tony L. Shetter.

Since I don't believe I could explain this any better I'll just quote the summary of the article:

In conclusion, the author/redactor(s) of the Genesis creation accounts share certain concepts of the makeup of the world with other ancient Near Eastern cultures. However, it is especially with Egypt’s worldview that the author/redactor(s) are familiar. Evidence for this lies in the many allusions to Egyptian creation motifs throughout the Genesis creation accounts. But, rather than being a case of direct borrowing, they demythologize the Egyptian concepts and form a polemic against the Egyptian gods. Thus, they elevate Yahweh-Elohim as the one true God, who is transcendent and who is all powerful. He speaks his desire and it comes to pass. He does not require the assistance of other gods to perform the acts of creation. He alone possesses the power and means necessary to effect the creation of the world.

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