Introduction to the Book of Genesis

Overview of Genesis

• First book of the Old Testament
• First book of the Pentateuch (Torah)
• The Pentateuch refers to the first five books of the Bible
• The name Genesis comes from the Greek translation of the word "generations"

Date and Authorship of Genesis

• Moses is the primary author, and he likely wrote Genesis along with the other books of the Pentateuch around 1400 BC.

Basic Outline of Genesis

Genesis 1–11

• Narrates the history of the world.

Genesis 12–50

• Narrates the history of Israel.

10 Occurences of Toledot in Genesis

1. Genesis 2:4 (Generations of the heaven and earth)

• Two creation accounts given.
• The main character is the creator God.
• Sin enters the world. (Gen 3)
• Cain kills Abel (Gen 4)

2. Genesis 5:1 (Generations of Adam)

• Adam and Eve's obedience to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth. (Gen 1:28)

3. Genesis 6:9 (Generations of Noah)

• God commands Noah to build an ark to save his family and every type of animal since God is about the judge the world.
• After the flood, God promises never to destroy the earth by water again.
• God repeats his command to Noah to multiply and fill the earth (Gen 9:1)

4. Genesis 10:1 (Generations of the Sons of Noah)

• God re-creates humanity through Noah's son.
• Events of the Tower of Babel created a diversity of nations.

5. Genesis 11:10 (Generations of Shem)

• Generation ends with Terah

6. Genesis 11:26 (Generations of Terah)

• Transitions the narrative from the history of the world to the history of Israel
• God appears to Abraham and instructs him to depart from his homeland Ur to a new promised land (Gen 12:1)
• In addition to the land, God also promised Abraham an offspring and blessing to the entire world through Abraham.
• God fulfills his promise not through Hagar but through Sarah who gives birth to Isaac. (Gen 21)
• God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. (Gen 22)
• Sarah's death (Gen 23)
• Abraham's servant finds a wife for Isaac (Gen 24)

7. (Generations of Ishmael)

• God is faithful to his promises given to Ishmael (Gen 16:12)

8. Genesis 25:19 (Generations of Isaac)

• The narrative focuses on Jacob.
• Sibling rivalry of Jacob and Esau
• Jacob deceives his father Jacob to give him the blessing.
• Jacob flees to Haran and is deceived by Laban.
• Jacob marries both Leah and Rachel.
• God wrestles with Jacob and renamed Israel. (Gen 32)
• Jacob reconciles with Esau.

9. Genesis 36:1 (Generations of Esau)

• God's blessing for another nation besides Israel.
• Esau is the father of Edom, with whom Israel will have a difficult relationship.

10. Genesis 37:1 (Generations of Jacob)

Bible Studies on the Story of Joseph

1. Introduction to the Joseph Narrative in Genesis
2. Joseph the Dreamer (Genesis 37:2–11)
3. Joseph Sold to Slavery (Genesis 37:12–36)
4. Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38)
5. Joseph Tempted by Potiphar's Wife (Genesis 39)
6. God Remembers Joseph in Prison (Genesis 40)
7. Pharoah's Dreams Interpreted (Genesis 41:1–36)
8. Joseph Made Prime Minister (Genesis 41:37–57)
9. Jacob's Sons' First Trip to Egypt (Genesis 42)
10. Jacob Accepts Judah's Guarantee (Genesis 43:1–14)
11. Joseph Reunites with Benjamin (Genesis 43:15–34)
12. Joseph Plants His Silver Cup (Genesis 44:1–17)
13. Judah's Plea for Benjamin (Genesis 44:18–34)
14. Judah Becomes Surety for Benjamin (Genesis 44)
15. A Portrait of Forgiveness (Genesis 45:1–8)
16. It Is Enough (Genesis 45:9–28)
17. Prepared to Die (Genesis 46)
18. God Rescues Egypt (Genesis 47:1–26)
19. "God Will Be With You" (Genesis 47:27–48:22)
20. Lion of Judah: When All Is Said and Done (Genesis 49)
21. God Meant It For Good (Genesis 50)

Introduction to the Pentateuch

• Introduction to Genesis
• Introduction to Exodus
• Introduction to Leviticus
• Introduction to Numbers
• Introduction to Deuteronomy