Encountering the Book of Genesis

A Study of Its Content and Issues

Bill T. Arnold

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Encountering Biblical Studies

Walter A. Elwell, General Editor and New Testament Editor

Eugene H. Merrill, Old Testament Editor

For my parents

Reverend and Mrs. Walter L. Arnold

Who prove the truth of Wisdom’s counsel:

Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,

and do not reject your mother’s teaching;

for they are a fair garland for your head,

and pendants for your neck.

—Prv 1:8–9

Contents in Brief

Editor’s Preface

Publisher’s Preface

To the Student

Author’s Preface

Abbreviations

Before You Begin …

PART 1:

Encountering God’s Creation (Genesis 1–11)

1. The Grandeur of God’s Perfect Creation (1:1–2:3)

2. The History of the First Human Family (2:4–4:26)

3. What’s Wrong with This Picture?

4. Sin’s Contamination of Creation (5:1–11:26)

PART 2:

Encountering Abraham: God’s Faithful Servant (Genesis 12–25)

5. The Beginning of Our Faith Heritage (11:27–14:24)

6. Tracking Abram and His Family

7. “Then God Gave Him the Covenant” (15:1–17:27)

8. Standing on the Promises of God (18:1–25:18)

PART 3:

Encountering Jacob: God’s Troubled Servant (Genesis 25–36)

9. Jacob Struggles with His Family (25:19–31:55)

10. Jacob Struggles with God (32:1–37:1)

PART 4:

Encountering Joseph: God’s Model Servant (Genesis 37–50)

11. Joseph in Egypt (37:2–41:57)

12. Joseph over Egypt (42:1–50:26)

PART 5:

Encountering the Authorship of Genesis

13. Evidence for Authorship

14. Interpretations of the Evidence

Conclusion: Genesis and Beyond

Bibliography

Glossary

Subject Index

Scripture Index

Contents

Editor’s Preface

Publisher’s Preface

Author’s Preface

To the Student

Abbreviations

Before You Begin …

PART 1

Encountering God’s Creation (Genesis 1–11)

1. The Grandeur of God’s Perfect Creation (1:1–2:3)

Outline

Objectives

How Did It All Begin?

Details of Genesis 1

• The Recurring Creation Formula

• The Symmetry of Genesis 1

• The Role of Genesis 1:1–2

Significance of Genesis 1

• Sovereignty of God

• Goodness of Creation

• Role of Humankind

Key Terms

Study Questions

2. The History of the First Human Family (2:4–4:26)

Outline

Objectives

What’s Different about Genesis 2–4?

Events inside the Garden of Eden (2–3)

• Adam and Eve in the Garden (2)

• Adam and Eve Expelled from the Garden (3)

Events outside the Garden of Eden (4)

Key Terms

Study Questions

3. What’s Wrong with This Picture?

Outline

Objectives

Who Were Israel’s Neighbors?

• The Mesopotamians

• The Egyptians

• Peoples of Syria—Palestine

Ancient Theories of Creation and Early Human History

• Ancient Near Eastern Parallels to Genesis 1

° Egypt

° Mesopotamia

• Ancient Near Eastern Parallels to the Themes of Genesis 2–4

Israel: A Picture, a Mirror, or a Window?

Significance for Modern Christians

Key Terms

Study Questions

4. Sin’s Contamination of Creation (5:1–11:26)

Outline

Objectives

So, What Happened Next? The Children of Adam and Eve (5:1–6:8)

The Flood (6:9–9:29)

• Review of the Narrative

• Parallels with Ancient ...