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Genesis

Disambiguation: This entryabout Genesis,first book ofHebrew Bible. Other Wikipedia entriessimilar titles include:

Genesis (Greek: Γένεσις, havingmeanings"birth", "creation", "cause", "beginning", "source" "origin" , translated from Hebrew: Bereshit) isfirst book ofTorah (five booksMoses)hencefirst book ofTanakh,Hebrew Bible; italsofirst book ofChristian Old Testament.

Tablecontents
1 Introduction
2 Datinghistory
3 Authorship
4 Christian views
5 Main themes
6 Jewish customs
7 Summary

Introduction

Genesispresented ashistorical work. Beginning withcreation ofworld,recountsprimal historyhumanity andearly history ofpeopleIsrael as exemplified inlivesits patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac,Jacob,their families. It containshistorical presuppositionbasis ofnational religious ideasinstitutionsIsrael,serves as an introductionits history, laws, customslegends.

It iswell-plannedwell-executed composition ofwriter (or set or writers), who has recountedtraditions ofIsraelites, combining them intouniform work, while preservingtextualformal peculiarities incidenttheir differenceoriginmodetransmission.

Datinghistory

Based ongenealogiesGenesislater parts ofBible, both religious JewsChristians have independently worked backwardsfindimplied time ofcreation ofworld, in5th millennium BC. This datingbased onliteral reading ofcreation account andassumptions thatsix dayswhich God createdheavens andearth were 24-hour days, that Adam, Eve, andGardenEden existed,thatcomplete traceevents from Creation tohistorically verifiable datelisted inbiblical account.

Modern science has shown thatworldabout four andhalf billion years old.

Inmedieval era, religious rationalists such as Maimonides held thatwasgross errorreadcreation stories literally;this view, whileBibleindeedwordGod,was designedteach deep metaphysical truths aboutuniverse, andsurface stories were intendedbe read as allegories.

The absenceindependent evidence confirmingbiblical narrative cause many scholarsquestionaccuracy or evenveracity ofhistorical account. This subjectdiscussedThe Biblehistory.

Authorship

Genesis makes no claims about its authorship; Jewish tradition from early on assumed thatentire book was dictated,its entirety, by GodMoses on Mount Sinai. Fornumberreasons, this viewno longer accepted by most biblical scholars, non-Orthodox Jews, Catholicss,liberal Protestants. Instead,accept thattextGenesis as we seetoday was redacted together around 440 BCE from earlier sources. SeeDocumentary hypothesis entrymore information.

Christian views

The author ofbookJohn refers toopening wordsGenesis, inNew Testament, personifyingspeechGod aseternal Logos (Greek: λογος "reason", "word", "speech"), that isoriginall things "with God","was God","became fleshtabernacled among us". Christians interpret this as an exampleapostolic teaching ofdoctrine ofTrinity anddeityChrist; however, Genesis standing alone does not suggest this teaching.

Main themes

Thereonly one God, who has createdworld. God has called all objectsliving beings into existence by his word.

The universe is, injudgmentGod, good. Genesis expresses an optimistic satisfactionpleasure inworld,

God aspersonal being, referredin anthropomorphicanthropopathic terms. God may appearspeakmankind.

Genesis makes no attemptgivephilosophically rigorous definitionGod; its description ispractical, religious one. Godtreated exclusivelyreferencehis dealings withworldwith man.

Mankind iscrownCreation,has been madeGod's image.

All peopledescended from AdamEve; this expressesunity ofwhole human race.

The Earth possessesmancertain moral grandeur; man must include God's creatures inrespect thatdemandsgeneral, by not exploiting themhis own selfish uses.

Unlike other ancient religious texts fromnear-eastmiddle-east, Genesis positsexistenceoneonly being that may properly be called God. All other non-human intelligences implied or statedexist intext may only be considered angels orlike. Godpresented as beingsole creatornature,as existing outsideitbeyond it.

Some historians believe Genesisbemore recent examplemonotheistic belief than Zoroastrianism, interpretingcommandment "have no other gods before me" as an artifactearly henotheism amongJews -- i.e., as evidence thatHebrews were notworshipgodsother peoples, but only their own tribal god. Onother hand, Genesis,its present form, purportsgive recordbeliefs priorany surviving religious texts, describingworshipother godslocal deities asgradual development amongnations, who departed from original monotheism.

The primary purpose ofbooknot historical or legal, butexplain man's origins, anddescribe man's relationshipGod,how man's relationshipman must be seenthat light.

God created an eternal, unbreakable covenantall mankind attimeNoah; thisknown asNoachide covenant. This universal concernall mankindparalleled bysecond covenant made todescendantsAbrahamparticular, through his son Isaac,which their descendants will be chosenhavespecial destiny.

The Jewish peoplechosenbe inspecial covenantGod; God saysAbraham "I will makeyougreat nation,I will bless youmake your name great;you shall beblessing. I will bless them that bless you,curse him that curses you;in you shall all families ofearth be blessed". God often repeatspromise that Abraham's descendants shall be as numerous asstarsheavenassand onseashore.

The article on Biblical cosmology discussesBible's view ofcosmos, muchwhich derives from descriptionsGenesis.

Jewish customs

Jewish custom dividesbook into twelve parashiot (weekly readings). One parasharead each week duringyearly cycleTorah readings.

Summary

The creation

Genesis startsan account ofcreation ofuniverse by God, which occurssix steps. Onfirst day God created light; onsecond,firmamentheaven; onthird,separation between waterland, andcreationplant life; onfourth daysun, moon,stars; onfifth day created marine lifebirds; onsixth day land animals,manwoman. Onseventh day,Sabbath, God rested,sanctifiedday.

AdamEve

God formed Adam outearth ("adama"),set him inGardenEden,watch over it. Adamallowedeatallfruit within it, except that of"tree ofknowledgegoodevil." God then brings allanimalsAdam,serve as companyhim. Adam gives names namesallanimals, but finds no comforthis lonliness. God then puts him intodeep sleep, takesrib from his side,fromformswoman (called later "Eve"),becompanion.

Eveseduced byserpenteat offorbidden fruit; Eve convinces Adameatas well. As punishment theydriven outEden. AdamEve have two sons, CainAbel. Cain grows envious offavor found by his brother before God,slays him. Cainsentenceswander overearth asfugitive. He finally settles inlandNod. Enoch, onehis sons, buildsfirst city. Lamech takes two wives, whose sons arefirst dwellerstentsownersherds andearliest inventorsmusical instrumentsworkersbrassiron. Cain's descendants know nothing about God. Another son, Seth, has inmeantime been bornAdamEveplace ofslain Abel. Seth's descendants never lose thoughtGod. The tenthregular descentNoah.

The Nephilim

The introduction tostoryNoahone ofmore cryptic sections inBible. The sonsGod (alternatively: "sons ofRulers") lusted afterdaughtersman,matedthem. The childrenthese unions were mighty men, called Men ofName (alternatively: "MenRenown"). In this timeNephilim dwelled onearth. The significance ofNephilimnot explained.

Noah andgreat flood

In response tounfavored unionwomen andsonsGod, alongpossibly other sins, God decides thatwould be bestdestroy itstart again. God selects one man's family,familyNoah,surviveflood, as Noah ismost righteous manhis generation. God commands himbuildlarge ark, sinceworkdestruction isbe accomplished by means ofgreat flood. Noah obeyscommand, enteringark togetherhis family. Into this arkbringmating paireach kindanimalbird on Earth. Rain begins, andworldflooded, destroying all living beings save those inark. Whenhas subsided, Noah's family leavesark,God enters intocovenantNoahall his descendants,entire human race. Noah cultivatesfield that has been cursed during Adam's lifetime,plantsvineyard (ix. 20). When, infitintoxication, Noahshamelessly treated by his son Ham, he curseslatter inpersonHam's son Canaan, whilehis sons ShemJaphethblessed.

Chapter 10 reviewspeoples descended from Japheth, Ham,Shem. The dispersionhumanity into separate racesnationsdescribed instory ofTowelBabel. Humanitydispersed by"confusiontongues," which God brought about when men attemptedbuildtower that should reach upheaven (xi. 1-9). A genealogygivenShem's descendants.

AbramSarai

Terah, who lives at Ur ofChaldees, has three sons, Abram, Nahor,Haran. Haran's sonLot. NahormarriedMilcah,AbramSarai, who has no children. God directs Abramleave his home. Abram obeys, emigratinghis entire householdLot, his brother's son, tolandCanaan. Here God appearshimpromises thatland shall becomepropertyhis descendants.

Abramforced byfamineleavecountrygoEgypt. The KingEgypt takes possession ofbeautiful Sarai (whom Abram has falsely represented as his sister). God smitesKing withdisease, whichKing recognizes assign from God;King returns SaraiAbram. Abram returnsCanaan,separates from Lotorderput an enddisputes about pasturage. He gives Lotvalley ofJordan near Sodom. God again appearsAbram,promiseshimwhole country.

Lottaken prisoner duringwar between Amraphel, KingShinar,Bera, KingSodom,their respective allies. Abram pursuesvictors armed men, liberates Lot,seizesbooty, refusing his share ofsame. After this exploit God again appearsAbrampromises him protection,rich reward,numerous progeny. These descendants will pass four hundred yearsservitude instrange land; but after God has judged their oppressorsshall leavelandtheir affliction, andfourth generation shall returnCanaan.

HagarIshmael

Saraichildless,SaraiAbram decide that their will produceheirAbram though his Egyptian handmaiden, Hagar. Abram takes her asconcubinehaschildher, Ishmael. God again appearsAbram,enters intopersonal covenanthim securing Abram's future: God promises himnumerous progeny, changes his name"Abraham"thatSarai"Sarah,"institutescircumcisionall males as an eternal sign ofcovenant.

SodomGomorrah

God sends Abraham three angels, whom Abraham receives hospitably,who announcehim that he will haveson withinyear, although hehis wifealready very old. Abraham also hears that God's messengers intendexecute judgment uponwicked inhabitantsSodomGomorrah, whereupon he intercedes forsinners,endeavorshave their fate set aside. Two ofmessengers goSodom, where theyhospitably received by Lot. The men ofcity wishlay shameless hands upon them, and, having thus shown thathave deserved their fate, SodomGomorrahdestroyed by fire-and-brimstone, only Lothis two daughters being saved. The birthAmmonMoabdescribed. Abraham journeysGerar,countryAbimelech. Here also he falsely represents Sarah as his sister,Abimelech plansgain possessionher, but desists on being warned by God.

The birthIsaac

At lastlong-expected sonborn,receivesname"Isaac." AtinstanceSarah,boy Ishmael, togetherhis mother, Hagar,driven out ofhouse, butalso havegreat future promisedthem. Abraham, duringbanquet that he giveshonorIsaac's birth, enters intocovenantAbimelech, who confirms his right towell Beer-sheba.

The Near sacrificeIsaac

Now that Abraham seemshave all his desires fulfilled, having even provided forfuturehis son, God subjects him togreatest trialhis faith by demanding Isaac assacrifice. Abraham obeys; but, as heaboutlayknife upon his son, God restrains him, promising him numberless descendants. OndeathSarah Abraham acquires Machpelah forfamily tomb. Then he sends his servantMesopotamia, Nahor's home,find among his relationswifeIsaac;Rebekah, Nahor's granddaughter,chosen. Other childrenbornAbraham by another wife, Keturah, among whose descendants areMidianites;he dies inprosperous old age.

EsauJacob

After being marriedtwenty years Rebekah has twins by Isaac: Esau, who becomeshunter,Jacob, who becomesherdsman. Jacob persuades Esausell him his birthright,whichlatter does not care; notwithstanding this bargain, God appearsIsaacrepeatspromises givenAbraham. His wife, whom he represents as his sister,endangered incountry ofPhilistines, but King Abimelech himself averts disaster. In spite ofhostilityAbimelech's people, Isaacfortunateall his undertakingsthat country, especiallydigging wells. God appearshim at Beer-sheba, encourages him,promises him blessingsnumerous descendants;Abimelech enters intocovenanthim atsame place. Esau marries Canaanite women, toregrethis parents.

Rebekah persuades Jacobdress himself as Esau,thus obtain from his senile fatherblessing intendedEsau. To escape his brother's vengeance, JacobsentrelationsHaran, being charged by Isaacfindwife there. Onway God appearshim at night, promising protectionaidhimself andlandhis numerous descendants. Arrived at Haran, Jacob hires himselfLaban, his mother's brother, on condition that, after having servedseven years as herdsman, he shall havewifeyounger daughter, Rachel,whom hein love. Atendthis period Laban gives himelder daughter, Leah; Jacob therefore serves another seven yearsRachel,after that six years morecattle. Inmeantime Leah bears him Reuben, Simeon, Levi,Judah; by Rachel's maid Bilhah he has DanNaphtali; by Zilpah, Leah's maid, GadAsher; then, by Leah again, Issachar, Zebulun,Dinah;finally, by Rachel, Joseph. He also acquires much wealthflocks.

WrestlingGod

In fearLaban, Jacob fleeshis family,soon becomes reconciledLaban. On approaching his home hein fearEsau,whom he sends presents. While sleeping, an angel, or perhaps God himself, appearsJacob,is vanquishedwrestling. This angel announcesJacoc that he shall bearname "Israel," i.e., "one who strivesGod". The meetingEsau provesfriendly one, andbrothers separate reconciled. Jacob settles at Shalem. His sons SimeonLevi take vengeance oncityShechem, whose prince has raped their sister Dinah. Onroad from Beth-el Rachel gives birth toson, Benjamin,dies.

Josephdreamer

Joseph, Jacob's favorite son,hated by his brothers on accounthis dreams prognosticating his future dominion,onadviceJudahsecretly sold tocaravanIshmaelitic merchants goingEgypt. His brothers tell their father thatwild animal has devoured Joseph. Joseph, carriedEgypt,there sold asslavePotiphar, onePharaoh's officials. He gains his master's confidence; but whenlatter's wife, unableseduce him, accuses him falsely, hecast into prison (xxxix.). Here he correctly interpretsdreamstwohis fellow prisoners,king's butlerbaker. When Pharaohtroubled by dreams that no oneableinterpret,butler draws attentionJoseph. The latterthereupon brought before Pharaoh, whose dreams he interpretsmean that seven yearsabundance will be followed by seven yearsfamine. He adviseskingmake provision accordingly,is empoweredtakenecessary steps, being appointed second inkingdom. Joseph marries Asenath,daughter ofpriest Poti-pherah, by whom he has two sons, ManassehEphraim (xli.).

Whenfamine comes itfelt evenCanaan;Jacob sends his sonsEgyptbuy corn. The brothers appear before Joseph, who recognizes them, but does not discover himself. After having proved them on thisonsecond journey,they having shown themselves so fearfulpenitent that Judah even offers himself as slave, Joseph reveals his identity, forgives his brotherswrongdid him,promisessettleEgypt both themhis father (xlii.-xlv.). Jacob brings his whole family, numbering 66 persons,Egypt, this making, inclusiveJosephhis sonshimself, 70 persons. Pharaoh receives them amicablyassignsthemlandGoshen (xlvi.-xlvii.). When Jacob feelsapproachdeath he sendsJosephhis sons,receives EphraimManasseh among his own sons (xlviii.). Then he calls his sonshis bedsidereveals their futurethem (xlix.). Jacob dies,is solemnly interred infamily tomb at Machpelah. Joseph livessee his great-grandchildren,on his death-bed he exhorts his brethren, if God should remember themlead them out ofcountry,take his bonesthem.

See also: Tanakh (The Hebrew Bible), The Biblehistory, DatingBible


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