The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Old Testament. Genesis is also the first book of the Pentateuch, also known as “the five books of Moses.”
The name of the book comes from the Greek word genesis (γένεσις) which means “beginning.” The Hebrew name is bereshith (בראשית), a name taken from the first word of the book; it means “in [the] beginning.”
The book of Genesis is focused on the beginning of humanity, the beginning of humanity’s rebellion against God, and the beginning of their redemption. The beginning of humanity’s redemption is seen in the story of Israel, which begins with the call of Abraham.
The Historical Structure of Genesis
The book of Genesis consists of five closely connected sections.
a. Primeval History: Genesis 1–11
The first section, commonly called “The Primeval History,” deals with the history of the creation of human beings, with the migration of Terah from Ur of the Chaldeans, and with his death in Haran.
b. The History of Abraham: Genesis 12–25
The second section deals with the history of Abraham. This history begins with Abraham’s call in Haran and ends with his burial in the cave of Machpelah. It also includes the story of the birth of Jacob and Esau.
c. The History of Isaac, Genesis 26–27
The third section includes a brief history of Isaac. This section deals with the birth o Isaac’s two sons, Esau and Jacob, Isaac’s sojourn in Gerar, Jacob’s being blessed by Isaac, and Isaac’s death.
d. The History of Jacob: Genesis 28–36
The fourth section deals with Jacob’s departure for Mespotamia, his residence with Laban, his marriage to Leah and Rachel, the birth of his children, and his return to the land of Canaan.
e. The History of Joseph: Genesis 37–50
The fifth section deals with the history of Joseph. Joseph’s history begins with Joseph in the house of his father, his sale as a slave, Joseph’s life in Egypt, and ends with the death of Joseph in Egypt.
STUDIES ON GENESIS
The posts below deal with several issues found in the book of Genesis. These studies deal with issues of translations, people, nations, and events that are found in the book of Genesis.
The Book of Genesis
Parataxis in the Book of Genesis
The Book of Genesis and Illegal Immigration
Creation
The Differences Between Genesis 1 and 2
The Spirit of God in Genesis 1:2
God’s Breath and the Human Act of Breathing
Let the Bible Be the Bible: A Rejoinder
The Book of Genesis, Creation, and Creationism
Devastating News for Traditional Believers
The Verb bara’: To Create or to Separate?
Evolution
Evolution and the American Pastor
Science, Evolution, and Creationism
Sex
What the Bible Doesn’t Say About Sex
The Androgyny of the First Human
The Sabbath
Helmut Thielicke and the Devil
Toledot
A Messianic Interpretation of Genesis 2:4
Adam
Adam’s Sin: Listening To His Wife
Congenital Human Baculum Deficiency, Adam’s Rib, and the Formation of Eve
The Androgyny of the First Human
Eve
The Creation of the Woman in Genesis 2:18-24
Congenital Human Baculum Deficiency, Adam’s Rib, and the Formation of Eve
Translating Genesis 3:15 – Part 1
Translating Genesis 3:15 – Part 2
Are Women Created in the Image of God? Part 1
Are Women Created in the Image of God – Part 2
Breaking News From Genesis 3:13, 16
The Permanent Text of the ESV—No More!
The Status of Women in Israelite Society
Cain
Lamech
The Sons of God
The Sons of God in Genesis 6:1-4
Rereading Genesis 6:4: Were They Really Giants?
The Sons of God and the Daughters of Men
The Nephilim
The Nephilim and the Giants of the Bible
The Nephilim Again: A Response to Joe Cathey and Duane Smith
Noah
“Noah”: The Movie and the Book of Genesis
Has Noah’s Vineyard Been Discovered?
Noah’s Ark
Noah’s Ark Has Been Discovered – Again
The Tragedy of the So-Called “Discovery of Noah’s Ark”
Noah’s Ark and Satellite Archaeology
The Ark of Noah Will Be Found: In Kentucky
The Sanctity of Human Life
Nations of the Ancient Near East
The Thracians in the Old Testament
The Mittani Empire and the Bible
The Hittites: A Historical Perspective
Treasures from the Royal Palace at Qatna
The Treasures of Nimrud To Be Sold
Abraham
Ur and Haran: Abraham’s Background
Ur and Abraham: A Rejoinder to Tim Bulkeley
The Covenant between God and Abraham
Rereading Genesis 22:8: The Sacrifice of Isaac and the Preacher
Understanding Genesis 14:14: “As Far as Dan”
I Will Make of Thee a Great Nation: A Book Review
Melchizedek
Sodom and Gomorrah
The Bible, Archaeology, and the City of Sodom
Archaeological Evidence for Sodom
In Search of Sodom and Gomorrah
Does Archeological Evidence Support the Biblical Story of Sodom and Gomorrah?
The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Jacob
The Embodiment of God in the Hebrew Bible
Why God Allows Himself To Lose
Standing Stones in the Old Testament
Standing Stones: Marking Our Defining Moments – Encountering God’s Presence
Rebekah
Rachel
Rachel: The Struggles of a Barren Woman
Bilhah
Dinah
Honor Killing: The Rape of Dinah
Zebulun
The Netherlands in Biblical Prophecy
Joseph
How Can Someone Sell His Own Brother to the Egyptians?
The Old Testament in the News: Joseph
Joseph in Egypt: Evidence for an Egyptian Background for the Exodus
Defending the Bible: The King James Version
Joseph – Overcoming Temptation
Joseph – Extending Forgiveness
Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
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If you are looking for other series of studies on the Old Testament, visit the Archive section and you will find many studies that deal with a variety of topics.
This entry was posted in Book of Genesis, Studies and tagged Abraham, Adam, Cain, Creation, Eve, evplution, Hebrew Bible, Jacob, Joseph, Lamech, Noah, Noah’s Ark, Old Testament. Bookmark the permalink.
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