Bible Overview Genesis
Mike Ervin
Genesis:
Overview
Authorship
Traditional View:
• Traditionally attributed to Moses (15th or 13th century BC), as part of the
Torah/Pentateuch.
• Believed to be revealed by God and recorded by Moses for the Israelites.
Modern Scholarly View:
• Composed from multiple sources over time, known as the Documentary Hypothesis
(JEDP theory):
• J (Yahwist) – Focuses on God’s personal interactions.
• E (Elohist) – Emphasizes dreams and divine messages.
• D (Deuteronomist) – Associated with legal codes.
• P (Priestly) – Focuses on genealogies, rituals, and order.
• Likely compiled during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC) or earlier from
older traditions.
Date of Authorship
• Traditional: 15th–13th century BC (Mosaic authorship).
• Modern Scholarship: 10th–6th century BC, finalized during or after the exile.
Intended Audience
• Traditional: The Israelites, providing a foundational history of their
origins.
• Modern View: A post-exilic Jewish community seeking to preserve their
identity.
Major Themes
1. Creation and Divine Order – God as the sovereign Creator.
2. Covenant – God’s promises to Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Jacob.
3. Sin and Redemption – The Fall (Genesis 3) and God’s plan for restoration.
4. Faith and Obedience – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph as models of faith.
5. God’s Sovereignty in History – His guidance of human events.
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
I. Creation and Early Humanity (Chapters 1–11)
• Ch. 1–2 – Creation of the world and humanity.
• Ch. 3 – The Fall of Adam and Eve.
• Ch. 4–5 – Cain and Abel; genealogies.
• Ch. 6–9 – Noah, the Flood, and God’s covenant.
• Ch. 10–11 – Nations descend from Noah; Tower of Babel.
II. The Patriarchs (Chapters 12–50)
• Ch. 12–25 – Abraham’s call, covenant, and descendants.
• Ch. 26–27 – Isaac’s life and blessings.
• Ch. 28–36 – Jacob’s journey, family, and transformation into Israel.
• Ch. 37–50 – Joseph’s story, from slavery to Egypt’s ruler; Israel’s migration
to Egypt.