Genesis

The name Genesis is applied to the first book of the Bible, which is also the first book in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). The Jews refer to this set of five books as the “Torah,” which means “teaching” or “instruction.” In English it is known as the “Law” (Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Acts 7:53).

The English name Genesis comes from the Greek Septuagint and means “beginning” or “origin.” The Hebrew title of the book comes from the first word Bereshith, which means “in the beginning” and is found in the first verse of chapter 1. The book is about the origins or beginnings—the history—of mankind.

The first book of the Bible shows the beginning of earth, the beginning of man, the beginning of marriage, the beginning of the seven-day weekly cycle and the Sabbath, the beginning of sin and its consequences, the beginning of human government, the beginning of nations and the various languages, the beginning of the nation of Israel and so on.

Who wrote the book of Genesis?

The book of Genesis was written by Moses.

Historically, the first five books of the Bible (of which Genesis is the first) have all been attributed to Moses, even though it is possible that certain portions were added later (perhaps by Moses’ assistant, Joshua).

Exodus 17:14 shows that God commissioned Moses to write: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.’” There are many other scriptures in the Old Testament that attribute the writing of the Law to Moses (Deuteronomy 31:24; Joshua 8:31; 23:6; 2 Kings 14:6; Nehemiah 8:1).

Since Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household as a prince of Egypt, he would have been well educated and literate. The New Testament confirms that Moses was a highly educated and skilled man: “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds” (Acts 7:22).

Another strong piece of evidence for the Mosaic authorship of the book of Genesis is the fact that we are told that “the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Since the book contains certain information that only God would know about (for instance, the details of the creation week in Genesis 1, God’s creation of Adam and His interactions with Adam and Eve in Genesis 2, God’s perspective of the building of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, etc.), it seems clear that the author of Genesis had to be given those details by direct revelation from God. Since we know that God communicated directly to Moses, this strengthens the case for Moses being the man God inspired to write Genesis.

But the strongest evidence of Moses’ authorship of the book of Genesis is the words of Jesus Christ Himself. He directly said that Moses “wrote about Me [Jesus]” (John 5:46).

The book of Genesis includes at least two prophecies of Jesus’ coming as the Messiah (Genesis 3:15; 49:10). There are other New Testament scriptures that refer to Moses as a writer—particularly of the books of the Law (Mark 12:19, 26; Luke 16:29; Acts 28:23; 1 Corinthians 9:9; 2 Corinthians 3:15).  

When was the book of Genesis written?

The book of Genesis was likely written by Moses during the 40 years Israel wandered in the wilderness.

Most conservative Bible scholars date the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai between 1446-1443 B.C. Since Moses died 40 years after the Exodus from Egypt, he likely wrote the book of Genesis between the 1440s to 1400s B.C. (during Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness).

How old is the book of Genesis?

Since the book was written in the 15th century B.C., the book of Genesis is roughly 3,400 years old.

Two divisions of the book of Genesis

The contents can be summarized into two major divisions:

Chapters 1-11 record the history of the world prior to Abraham (also referred to as the primeval period). Four of the chapters are about Noah.

Chapters 12-50 deal primarily with the lives of four men (also referred to as the patriarchal period):

• Abraham (chapters 12-25).
• Isaac (chapters 25-28).
• Jacob (chapters 28-36).
• Joseph (chapters 37-50).

Most of Genesis illustrates God’s involvement with the descendants of Abraham, starting with the call of Abram (later called Abraham) in chapter 12 to the death of Joseph in chapter 50.

New Testament references to Genesis

Jesus Christ quoted from Genesis (Matthew 19:4-5), thereby putting His stamp of approval on the book as part of inspired Scripture. There are numerous other scriptural references quoted from Genesis in the New Testament, proof that the writers accepted Genesis as inspired and of divine origin. Below are a few examples:

• Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4.
• Genesis 2:2; Hebrews 4:4.
• Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:45.
• Genesis 12:3; Acts 3:25.
• Genesis 17:7; Galatians 3:16-17.
• Genesis 21:10, 12; Hebrews 11:18.
• Genesis 25:23; Romans 9:12.

There are also frequent references to incidents and individuals from Genesis mentioned in the New Testament:

• Eve’s deception by the serpent: Genesis 3:4-5 and 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14.
• Abel’s sacrifice: Genesis 4:4 and Hebrews 11:4.
• The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: Genesis 19:24-26 and Luke 17:29, 32; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7.
• Abraham’s offering of Isaac: Genesis 22:9-10 and James 2:21.
• Esau’s despising of his birthright: Genesis 25:33 and Hebrews 12:16.
• Many of the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 are from Genesis.

Outline of Genesis

Period prior to Abraham (chapters 1-11)

Chapters 1-2: In the opening verse we are introduced to God the Creator. In Hebrew the word translated “God” is the Hebrew word Elohim, which is a plural noun and means “supreme,” “strong” and “almighty” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #430). Elohim often denotes a plurality of divine beings: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis added throughout). A further example is Genesis 3:22: “Then the LORD God said, ‘Behold the man has become like one of Us.” The New Testament reveals that this refers to God the Father and the Word, who became Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14).

What did God do at the end of the creation week? “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which he had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” (Genesis 2:2-3). On the seventh day, God performed His final, concluding act of creation by resting from the work He had done on the previous six days.

This is the origin of the weekly day of rest called the Sabbath. God intended that each week we set aside the seventh day to meditate about and worship Him. It is a day set apart (“sanctify” means to set apart for a holy purpose) for us to grow closer to God through personal prayer, study of the Bible and attendance at Church services (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The story of the creation shows the supremacy of God’s superior intelligence, power, authority and knowledge. The story of the creation shows the supremacy of God’s superior intelligence, power, authority and knowledge (Psalm 104:29-30). As Creator, He has absolute control over everything.

Chapter 3: Adam and Eve were offered the tree of life but instead chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The result has had widespread implications for mankind ever since. They usurped the authority of their Creator and chose to decide for themselves what is right and wrong. The apostle Paul explained that it was through the first man, Adam, that sin entered the world, and sin that is not repented of results in death (Romans 5:12; 6:23).

Chapter 4: Cain became the first murderer by killing his brother Abel and, as a result, “went out from the presence of the LORD” (Genesis 4:16). What a tragic outcome for Adam and Eve. However, it was their choice and decision to reject God’s ways in favor of the ideology of Satan. Unfortunately, Satan continues to negatively influence mankind today (2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2-3).

Chapter 5: This chapter gives the genealogy of Adam.

Chapters 6-9: These chapters describe the corrupt antediluvian world, resulting in God instructing Noah to build an ark. The flood begins and then ends with the Noachian Covenant.

Chapter 10 records the table of nations of those descended from Noah.

Chapter 11 describes the construction of the tower of Babel, the confusion of the languages and the genealogy of righteous Shem.

Patriarchal period (chapters 12-50)

Chapter 12 introduces God calling Abram (later named Abraham). Abram is an outstanding example of faith and trust in God. He was instructed by God to leave his home. “So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him” (Genesis 12:4). As a result of his faithfulness, Abram was promised profound favor (verses 2-3), as God promises to bless those who seek to obey and please Him today (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Chapter 13 deals with the separation between Abram and Lot, which gives further evidence of Abram’s faith that God would bless him under all circumstances. God reiterated and expanded His promise of national and spiritual blessings (Genesis 13:14-17).

Chapter 14 introduces the law of tithing. Abram understood that tithing was a divine law instituted by God, and that it was a law he should obey. He was known to obey all of God’s laws and commandments, including tithing: “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5). What a striking example for all Christians!

Chapter 17: At age 99 Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, which means “Father of a Multitude.” The promises to Abraham were further magnified to include a multitude of nations and kings. As a token of His covenant with Abraham and his descendants, God instituted circumcision.

Chapters 18-19: The degeneracy and debauchery of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other cities of the plain are highlighted.

Chapter 20: The interaction between Abraham and Abimelech (king of the city of Gerar) over Sarah is described.

Chapter 21: After waiting for 25 years, God fulfilled His promise to provide an heir (Isaac) to Abraham and his wife Sarah. Because they succumbed to frustration while waiting on God, Abraham and Sarah had earlier agreed to produce a child through Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid. (Her son Ishmael became the father of many of the present-day Arab nations.)

Chapter 22: God tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham did not hesitate to obey and journeyed to Mount Moriah fully trusting and believing that God knew what He was doing (Hebrews 11:17-19). Abraham passed his severe trial of faith, an example of total trust in God’s faithfulness and promises.

Chapters 23-26: Sarah died at age 127 years, and Abraham purchased land at Machpelah for her burial. Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah were also buried there (Genesis 25:9; 49:30-31; 50:13).

Abraham sent his servant to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. Rebekah was selected by God and returned to marry Isaac.

Abraham died at the age of 175 years.

Esau foolishly sold his birthright. In Hebrews 12:16 he is called a “profane person” (showing disrespect for that which is important).

Chapters 27-31: Because of Jacob’s deception of his father Isaac, he was forced to flee from the wrath of his brother Esau. He traveled to the land of Padan Aram and to Laban, Rebekah’s brother. He worked for Laban for 14 years to marry Leah and Rachel. Eventually Jacob left Laban and returned to his homeland.

Chapters 32-33: Jacob and his company continued their return journey and camped at the River Jabbok. There a most unusual event occurred: During the night a supernatural Being wrestled with Jacob; and because of his perseverance and unwillingness to give up, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, meaning “Prevailer with God” (Genesis 32:24-30).

Chapters 34-35: Dinah’s violation resulted in her brothers Simeon and Levi using trickery and deceit to take revenge.

Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin, and Reuben lost his birthright after committing adultery with Bilhah, the mother of his brothers, Dan and Naphtali.

Isaac died at the age of 180 years (Genesis 35:28-29).

Chapters 36-47: Chapter 36 records the family line of Esau. Most of the remaining chapters of Genesis deal with the life of Joseph. However, the account of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38 interrupts the story flow of Joseph’s life. The incident ends with the birth of twin sons, Perez and Zerah, to Tamar. In Luke 3:33 and Matthew 1:3 we read that Perez is the son of Judah through whom Jesus was descended.

Many people have heard the story of Joseph being sold by his brothers as a slave into Egypt, and how he was taken from prison (where he was kept for many years) and placed over all of Egypt under the Pharaoh. After 22 years, Joseph was reunited with his brothers when they were sent by Jacob to purchase grain in Egypt.

Joseph was reunited with his father when Jacob (Israel) and his family settled in Egypt. A list of the names of family members who accompanied Jacob is given (Genesis 46:8-26).

Chapters 48-49: Before his death, Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph with the birthright, as his father had done to him. As mentioned in Genesis 35:11, Jacob bestowed on the two boys tremendous national blessings of greatness and wealth. Manasseh would become a great nation, and Ephraim would develop into a “company of nations.”

Genesis 49:1-28 details Jacob’s last words to each of his 12 sons. Future prophecies and blessings are pronounced on his sons.

Jacob’s death is recorded (Genesis 49:33).

Chapter 50: The deaths of both Jacob (Israel) and Joseph are mentioned.

Highlight: lessons from Joseph’s life

We can learn various lessons from Joseph’s example. Despite enduring many hardships, afflictions and misfortunes, Joseph continued to obey and trust God even when his circumstances and future looked bleak. He believed that God would ultimately work things out for his good (Romans 8:28) and that he would not be tried beyond what he could endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

In Genesis 39:9 Joseph states, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Part of repentance is coming to understand that sin is against God (Psalm 51:4), and this understanding should be the primary motivation to avoid and to root sin out of our lives.

Only the beginning

Increasingly, the Bible seems irrelevant to many in today’s world, and it is being rejected as a source of life, hope and truth. This results in further instability and hopelessness in our society. On the other hand, God promises to take special note of those who study His Word with an attitude of respect and reverence (Isaiah 66:2).

For a quick link to all the other books of the Bible, see “Books of the Bible” on the Learning Center.