Introduction to Genesis

50 Chapters

1. Author and Time of Writing

According to an old tradition, not only Genesis (also called the first book of Moses) but the whole Pentateuch (from Greek pente – five and teuchos – container for scrolls) was written by Moses. Regarding Exodus to Deuteronomy, Moses was an eyewitness and partly even the main character. When writing Genesis, apart from direct revelations of God (for example, the report on the creation of the world in Genesis 1-2), he could have referred to documents from the time of the patriarchs (for example, the genealogies of Genesis 5:10-11 and 36). Under the direction of the Holy Spirit of God, Moses wrote everything down. As he was a prophet, the words of 2 Peter 1:21 apply to him as well: "Holy men of God spoke under the power of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy...."

Moses lived around 1500-1400 BC. The highly developed hieroglyphic writing existed already in Egypt, as its origins can be traced back to 3000 BC. The Sumerian pictograms and the Assyrian-Babylonian cuneiform also date back that far.

The Akkadian-Sumerian and Assyrian-Babylonian "creation and flood myths" (for example, the "Gilgamesh-Epic") have often been compared with the corresponding reports of the Bible. They are often considered to be their "template." But these human poetic writings, complete of various "gods", greatly contrast the simple, clear words of the Holy Scripture. But they show that these heathen peoples kept a small memory of the beginnings of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed..., which, in their imagination and under the influence of their idolatry, they wrote down in the form we have today. The worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... of snakes, which was, and still is, spread in many idolatrous cultures in the whole worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed..., is another example of how SatanThe Bible introduces us to the great adversary of God in Rev 20:2 under four terms: • Dragon • Old Serpent • Devil • Satan Under the term 'Satan,' the... succeeded in getting people to turn away from worshipping the one true God and draw them after himself (compare Genesis 3:1, Revelation 12:9).

The tradition that Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible originates from the Word of God itself. The title "law" does not only refer to the commandments that Moses received at Sinai from God. Already in the Old Testament, it often refers to the whole Pentateuch, the Thora, i.e., the first part of the Old Testament. Compare Joshua 1:7; 8:31; Judges 3:4; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Chronicles 23:18; Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 8:1; Daniel 9:11; Malachi 4:4.

The Lord Jesus confirms that Moses is the author in Luke 24:27 and 44; John 5:46-47. Paul, who often speaks of the law, calls it the "law of Moses" (Romans 10:5; 1 Corinthians 9:9; Hebrews 10:28). It becomes evident from two passages in the New Testament that the term "law" or "law of Moses" includes Genesis: 1 Corinthians 14:34 can only refer to the divine order in Genesis 2:18ff, and 3:16 since the law of Sinai lacks an explicit command for women to be subject and in Galatians 4:21ff Paul talks of the story of Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 16 and 21). In both cases, he speaks of the law.

2. Purpose of writing

Genesis (beginning, becoming) is the book of beginnings. It contains the "seed" for all the dealings of God with this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed..., the principles of the relationships of God with man, and in type anticipates all future revelations of God.

Genesis describes the creation of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed..., the fall of the first men into sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... and its consequences, not only the curse but also the first clear pointer to the redeemer. We see God's righteousness in the judgment of the great flood but also the electionAll believers in the assembly of God were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This is also confirmed by the expression "before eternity" in 2... of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... and the life of faith in Abraham. In the story of Isaac, we see the father's beloved son who had to be sacrificed, and in the story of Joseph and his brothers, we see the whole way of Israel with their MessiahMessiah is a Hebrew word (Maschíach) meaning “the Anointed One.” In the New Testament, the Greek form “the Christ” is used and applied to the Lord Jesus alone. The Jews,.... In the biographies of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we are also presented with the personal lives of faith. The tent shows us that the believer is a wandering stranger with no remaining city here but is looking for the one to come. The altarPlace of sacrifice, i.e., place where a sacrifice is made. The Old Testament knows both the personal erection and use of an altar (usually made of earth or stones) and... is the picture of fellowship with the only true God and the worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... that He seeks.

3. Peculiarities

a. The names of God

Not only in Genesis but in the whole Old Testament occur mainly two names of God: God (Hebrew: Elohim) and Jehovah (Hebrew JHWH: The Eternal One, probably to be pronounced Yahweh). However, as many critics think, these two names do not point to different authors or reports, which would have been compiled by later "editors," but are proof of the divine inspirationBy inspiration (literally: to breathe into), we understand that the Bible comes from God. It is inspired by Him word for word (1 Cor 2:13). This applies to the OT... of Scripture.

Everywhere where the omnipotence of the creator should be emphasized, we read God. But when He turns in grace to man, He is called Jehovah. For example, we read in Genesis 7:16, after Noah entered the ark: ".. As God had commanded him. And Jehovah shut him in."

b. "Toledoth"

A specific structure of Genesis can be seen in the fact that eleven times, the Hebrew word "toledoth"(generations, histories) is mentioned as a report's conclusion - or introduction. Similar stereotype statements are known from cuneiform tables from Mesopotamia. The word "toledoth" occurs in the following passages:

1. Chapter 2:4: These are the histories of the heavens and the earth.

2. Chapter 5:1: This is the book of Adam's generations

3. Chapter 6:9: This is the history of Noah

4. Chapter 10:1: These are the generations of the sons of Noah

5. Chapter 11:10: These are the generations of Shem

6. Chapter 11:27: These are the generations of Terah

7. Chapter 25:12: These are the generations of Ishmael

8. Chapter 25:19: These are the generations of Isaac

9. Chapter 36:1: These are the generations of Esau

10: Chapter 36:9: These are the generations of Esau

11: Chapter 37:2: These are the generations of Jacob

c. Seven biographies

Genesis contains biographies of seven believers: Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. They are essential for the divisions of this book.

4. Overview of contents

I. Genesis 1-11: Ancient history

1. Chapter 1-5 From Creation to the Flood

a. Chapter 1:1-2:25 Creation

• Chapter 1 The work of the six days (general report)

• Chapter 2 Creation of Man (special report)

b. Chapter 3:1-4:7 The fall and its consequences (Romans 5:12)

• Chapter 3 Temptation, fall, judgment, and graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by...

• Chapter 4:1-7 Cain and Abel: The first sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain..., the first murder, and the first city

c. Chapter 4:8-5:32 Cain and Seth: Two descendants of Adam (1 Corinthians 15:46)

2. Chapter 6-11 From Noah to Abraham

a. Chapter 6:1-8:14 The flood

• Chapter 6 The building of the ark (Matthew 24:38-39; 2 Peter 3:3-10)

• Chapter 7 The flood: Judgment and salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to...

• Chapter 8:1-14 The end of the flood

b. Chapter 8:15-10:32 Noah and his descendants

• Chapter 8:15-22 Noah on the "new" earth

• Chapter 9 Institution of authority and Noah's fall

• Chapter 10 The table of nations: Descendants of Japheth, Shem and Ham

c. Chapter 11:1-26 The building of the Tower of Babel

II. Genesis 12-50: The History of the Patriarchs

1. Chapter 12:1-21:34 Abraham, the father of all believers (Romans 4)

a. Chapter 12:1-14:24 The call of Abram and his visible life of faith

• Chapter 12 Abram moves to Canaan by faith and fails in Egypt

• Chapter 13 Lot's choice and Abram's part

• Chapter 14 Abram saves Lot and meets Melchizedec (Hebrews 7:1ff)

b. Chapter 15:1-21:34 Abraham's experiences with God

• Chapter 15: The promise of the son and the inheritance

• Chapter 16 Hagar and Ishmael: Law and the fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... (Galatians 4:21-31)

• Chapter 17 Renewal of the commitment and institution of circumcisionThe rite of circumcision is the sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17: 1-14). The act represented the keeping of the covenant and separation from God....; change of name (Abraham and Sarah)

• Chapter 18 Fellowship with God and prayer for Sodom

• Chapter 19 Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; Lot's salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to...; origin of Moab and Ammon

• Chapter 20 Abraham's failure with Abimelech

• Chapter 21 Birth of Isaac and separation from Hagar and Ishmael

2. Chapter 22:1-26:33 Isaac, the son of the promise

a. Chapter 22:1-25:18 Abraham and Isaac: a prophetic view

• Chapter 22 The Offering of Isaac (Romans 8:32): Death of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is...

• Chapter 23 Sarah's death and burial: Setting aside of Israel

• Chapter 24 Isaac marries Rebekah: Calling of the bride

• Chapter 25:1-18 Abraham's re-marriage and Isaac's inheritance: Millennium

b. Chapter 25:19-34 Isaac's son's Esau and Jacob: ElectionAll believers in the assembly of God were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). This is also confirmed by the expression "before eternity" in 2... of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... (Romans 9:6-14)

c. Chapter 26:1-33 Isaac and the country of the Philistines: Failure and blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the...

3. Chapter 26:34-37 Jacob-Israel, or the education of the Spirit

a. Chapter 26:34-28:22 Esau and Jacob

• Chapter 26:34-35 The wives of Esau

• Chapter 27 Jacob deceitfully gets the blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the...

• Chapter 28 Jacob's flight to Mesopotamia

b. Chapter 29:1-31:55 Jacob's stay with Laban

• Chapter 29 Jacob marries Leah and Rachel

• Chapter 30 Jacob's sons

• Chapter 31 Jacob's return to Canaan

c. Chapter 31:1-37:1 Jacob in Canaan

• Chapter 32 Jacob's fight with God and a new name (Israel)

• Chapter 33 Jacob meets Esau

• Chapter 34 Dinah and Shechem

• Chapter 35 Jacob goes to Bethel; birth of Benjamin and death of Rachel

• Chapter 36:1-37:1 Esau and his descendants; the final word

4. Chapter 37:2-50:26 Joseph, type of the rejected and glorified ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is...

a. Chapter 37:2-36 Joseph's dreams and imprisonment in Egypt

b. Chapter 38:1-30 Judah and Tamar

c. Chapter 39:1-41:57 Joseph's humiliation and exaltation

• Chapter 39 Joseph and Potiphar's wife

• Chapter 40 Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's servants

• Chapter 41 Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's liberation

d. Chapter 42:1-47:31 The Seven Lean Years

• Chapter 42 Joseph's brothers in Egypt

• Chapter 43 The second journey of Joseph's brothers to Egypt

• Chapter 44 The conscience of the brothers begins to awake

• Chapter 45 Joseph makes himself known

• Chapter 46 Jacob comes to Egypt

• Chapter 47 Jacob blesses Pharaoh; Joseph, the "savior of the world"

e. Chapter 48:1-50:26 The end of Jacob and Joseph

• Chapter 48 Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh

• Chapter 49 Jacob blesses his twelve sons and dies

• Chapter 50 Jacob's burial and Joseph's death: The hope of the inheritance