THE
BIBLE
BOOK
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THE
BIBLE
BOOK
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DK LONDON Monam Nishat, Simran Saini Marie Lorimer
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CONTRIBUTORS
TAMMI J. SCHNEIDER, PHD, CONSULTANT BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, PHD, CONSULTANT
AND CONTRIBUTOR
Dr. Tammi J. Schneider is a Professor of Religion at
Claremont Graduate University, having received a doctorate Dr. Benjamin Phillips is Associate Dean and Associate
in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania. Her Professor of Systematic Theology at Southwestern Baptist
books include: Sarah: Mother of Nations; Judges; Mothers of Theological Seminary’s Houston Campus, where he teaches
Promise: Women in the Book of Genesis; and An Introduction courses in Christian doctrine and preaching. He is also
to Ancient Mesopotamian Religion. She excavates in Israel. Director of Southwestern’s Darrington Extension, which
offers a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies to offenders
SHELLEY L. BIRDSONG, PHD in the Texas prison system.
Dr. Shelley L. Birdsong is a member of the Religious Studies GUY CROTON
faculty at North Central College, Naperville, Illinois. Her
interests range from topics such as women in the Bible to Guy Croton is an author and editor who has written,
specific text-critical issues in ancient Jeremiah manuscripts. co-written, or edited books and articles on a variety of
subjects in a career spanning more than 30 years. A
ANDREW KERR-JARRETT Christian Humanist by religious and moral inclination,
he studied theology and biblical history as part of his
Andrew Kerr-Jarrett read English at Trinity College, degree at the University of Sussex.
Cambridge. He is a writer and editor of more than 25
years’ standing. He facilitates seminars and workshops NICHOLAUS PUMPHREY, PHD
at the Mount Street Jesuit Centre in London, UK.
Dr. Nicholaus Pumphrey is the Assistant Professor of Religious
REV. DR. ANDREW STOBART Studies and Curator of the Quayle Bible Collection at Baker
University, Baldwin City, Kansas. He specializes in Biblical
Rev. Dr. Andrew Stobart is a Methodist Minister in Studies, Ancient Near Eastern history and literature, and
Darlington, UK, and commissioning editor of Holiness, Islamic Studies. He is currently a senior staff member on
an online theological journal published by Wesley House, the Tel Akko Total Archaeology Project in Akko, Israel.
Cambridge. He studied theology at the London School of
Theology, Aberdeen University, and Durham University, and
has contributed to a number of reference works, including
DK’s The Illustrated Bible and The Religions Book.
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6
CONTENTS
10 INTRODUCTION 42 Come, let us build 72 When you enter the
ourselves a city, with land that the Lord
GENESIS a tower that reaches will give you as He
to the heavens
promised, observe
GENESIS 1:1–50:26 The Tower of Babel this ceremony
The Passover
44 I will make of you
20 And God said, “Let a great nation 74 Stretch out your hand
there be light” Covenants over the sea to divide
Creation the water
48 For the sake of ten men
26 Let us make man in our I will not destroy it The Exodus
image, in our likeness Sodom and Gomorrah 78 You shall not murder
The Garden of Eden The Ten Commandments
50 Now I know that
30 They realized that you fear God 84 They have made for
they were naked The Testing of Abraham themselves a golden calf
The Fall
54 May nations serve you and have worshipped it
36 Am I my brother’s and peoples bow down The Golden Calf
keeper? to you
Cain and Abel Esau and Jacob 86 The place will be
consecrated by my glory
38 At that time people 56 Your name will no The Ark and the Tabernacle
began to call on the longer be Jacob
name of the Lord Jacob Wrestles with God 88 It does flow with
The Origin of Prayer milk and honey
58 We will see what will The Twelve Spies
40 Only Noah was left, become of his dreams
and those who were Joseph the Dreamer 89 The Lord opened
with him in the ark the donkey’s mouth
The Flood Balaam’s Donkey
EXODUS TO 90 There is no other
DEUTERONOMY Only One God
EXODUS 1:1–
DEUTERONOMY 34:12 THE HISTORICAL
66 Though the bush was on BOOKS
fire it did not burn up 1:1 JOSHUA–ESTHER 10:3
Moses and the Burning Bush
70 All the water was 96 Take up the Ark of
changed into blood the Covenant
The Ten Plagues Entering the Promised Land
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7
98 None went out, and 154 Surely he took up our
none came in infirmities and carried
The Fall of Jericho our sorrows
The Suffering Servant
100 Has not the Lord gone
ahead of you? 156 Before I formed you in
Gideon and the Judges the womb I knew you
The Prophet Jeremiah
104 The spirit of the Lord
came upon him 160 My heart is poured
Samson out on the ground
Lament for the Exiles
108 Your people shall be
my people and your 162 I will remove … your
God my God heart of stone and give
Ruth and Naomi 132 I will go to the king … you a heart of flesh
if I perish, I perish The Prophet Ezekiel
110 Speak, for your Queen Esther
servant is listening 164 My God sent His angel,
The Prophet Samuel 133 Hear us, our God, for and He shut the mouths
we are despised of the lions
116 There was no sword Rebuilding Jerusalem Daniel in Babylon
in the hand of David
David and Goliath 166 Jonah was in the belly
WISDOM AND of the fish three days
118 The man who did and three nights
this must die PROPHETS The Disobedient Prophet
David and Bathsheba
JOB 1:1–MALACHI 4:6 168 And what does the
120 Cut the living child in Lord require of you?
two, and give half to one The Prophet Micah
and half to the other 138 The Lord is my shepherd,
The Wisdom of Solomon I lack nothing
The Psalms 172 The remnant of Israel
124 I have directed the will trust in the name
of the Lord
ravens to feed you there 144 From everlasting to
A Prophet in Hiding everlasting you are God Call for Repentance
The Nature of God
125 Go and present yourself 173 Surely the day is
to Ahab, and I will send 146 Have you considered coming; it will burn
rain on the land my servant Job? There like a furnace
Elijah and the Prophets is no one on Earth The Day of Judgment
of Baal like him
The Suffering of Job
126 Let me inherit a double THE GOSPELS
portion of your spirit 148 Blessed is the one who
The Chariot of Fire trusts in the Lord MATTHEW 1:1–JOHN 21:25
Proverbs
128 So Judah went into 178 And behold, you will
captivity, away from 152 I am my beloved’s … conceive in your womb
her land my beloved is mine and bear a son
The Fall of Jerusalem Song of Songs The Annunciation
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180 A savior has been born 200 “Follow me,” Jesus
to you; He is the Messiah said, “… I will send you
The Birth of Jesus out to fish for people”
The Calling of the Disciples
186 They … presented Him
with gifts of gold, 204 Love your enemies,
frankincense, and myrrh and pray for those
The Magi who persecute you
Sermon on the Mount
187 He gave orders to kill all
the boys in Bethlehem 210 Do to others as you 228 And taking the five
Herod’s Infanticide would have them loaves, and the two fish,
he looked up to heaven
do to you Feeding the 5,000
188 Didn’t you know I The Golden Rule
had to be in my 232 Take courage! It is I.
Father’s house? 212 This, then, is how Don’t be afraid
A Child in the Temple you should pray Jesus Walks on Water
The Lord’s Prayer
189 Prepare the way 234 His face shone like the
for the Lord 214 Whoever has ears, sun, and His clothes
The Coming of Salvation let them hear became as white as light
Parables of Jesus The Transfiguration
190 The Word became flesh
and made His dwelling 216 When he saw him, 236 For God so loved the
among us he took pity on him world, that He gave His
The Divinity of Jesus The Good Samaritan one and only Son
The Nature of Faith
194 This is my Son, whom 218 This brother of yours
I love; with Him I am was dead … he was 242 For the Son of Man came
well pleased lost and is found to seek and to save the lost
The Baptism of Jesus The Prodigal Son Jesus Embraces a
Tax Collector
198 Jesus said to him, 222 From whom do the
“Away from me, Satan!” kings of the earth 244 He scattered the coins of
The Temptations of Christ collect duty and taxes? the money changers and
The Temple Tax overturned their tables
Cleansing the Temple
223 So the last will be first, 246 She has done a beautiful
and the first will be last thing to me
Workers in the Vineyard Jesus Anointed at Bethany
224 My name is Legion, 248 This is my body, which
for we are many is given for you
Demons and the The Last Supper
Herd of Pigs
254 The hour has come, and
226 The man who had The Son of Man is delivered
died came out into the hands of sinners
The Raising of Lazarus Betrayal in the Garden
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256 I don’t know this man 302 Put on the full armor
you’re talking about of God
Peter’s Denial Armor of God
258 Surely this Man was 304 I want to know Christ
the Son of God The Power of the Resurrection
The Crucifixion
306 And He is the head of
266 Remember me when you
come into your kingdom the body, the church
The Body of Christ
The Repentant Thief
268 Blessed are those who 308 Scripture is God-breathed
have not seen and The Bible as God’s word
yet have believed
The Empty Tomb 312 Know that the testing
of your faith produces
272 Were not our hearts perseverance
burning within us Faith and Works
while He talked with 292 He purified their
us on the road? hearts by faith 314 Just as He who called
Road to Emmaus you is holy, so be holy
The Council of Jerusalem in all you do
274 Go and make disciples Holiness
of all nations 294 I admit that I worship
The Great Commission the God of our ancestors 316 The dead were judged
as a follower of the Way
Paul’s Arrest according to what they
had done
ACTS, EPISTLES, 296 Love is patient, love The Final Judgment
AND REVELATION is kind. It does not envy, 322 There will be no more
ACTS 1:1– it does not boast, it is death or mourning
not proud
REVELATION 22:21 The Way of Love The New Jerusalem
282 Everyone was filled 298 The grace of the Lord
with awe at the many Jesus Christ and the love 330 DIRECTORY
wonders and signs of God and the fellowship
The Day of Pentecost of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Trinity 340 GLOSSARY
284 In the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, walk 300 But the fruit of the spirit
The Healing of the Beggar is love, joy, peace, 344 INDEX
288 He told him the good forbearance, and kindness
news about Jesus Fruits of the Spirit 352 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Word Spreads
301 For it is by grace you
290 I am Jesus, whom you have been saved, through
are persecuting faith … not by works
The Road to Damascus Salvation through Faith
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INTRODU CTION
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INTRODU CTION
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12 INTRODUCTION
he Bible is the world’s word of the Lord.” By the 1st and translations of the Hebrew
most famous book and a century BCE, most Jews had come Bible. This process continues
T keystone text of Western to recognize the 39 books of the among scholars today, who collect
civilization. It has been translated Hebrew Bible, written in Hebrew and compare newly discovered
into more languages than any other and Aramaic, as God’s written copies of biblical texts in order
text in history, and it remains the word—the scriptures (from to establish a “critical text” from
most prolifically published book scriptura, Latin for “writings”). which translations are then made.
since the invention of the printing Later, the Christian churches The most famous English
press. Christians worldwide look to of the 1st and 2nd centuries CE translation is the Authorized
it as sacred scripture—the written similarly acknowledged the four Version, also called the King
word of God, given by divine Gospels and a range of apostolic James Version, published in 1611.
inspiration. It has influenced art, letters, written in Greek, as the The Bible Book refers to the New
language, music, and literature for word of God, alongside the earlier International Version, an English
more than 2,000 years: in fact, the Hebrew scriptures. translation from 1978 that aims to
history of Western art cannot be These texts communicate to make the text understandable
fully understood without at least the modern reader through a system to modern readers.
some knowledge of the Bible. of transmission and translation that
The Bible’s teachings have began with the ancient Israelites. Book of books
also shaped social, economic, and As early as the 3rd century CE, The 66 books of the Bible are
political developments, contributing scholars were comparing copies divided into two major sections.
to Western civilization’s emphasis The first in the Christian Bible is
on the value of the individual rather the Old Testament (the Hebrew
than the state. It is the subject of scriptures of Judaism, known as
academic study by believers and the Tanakh), comprising 39 books,
skeptics, and its words are the which were written for the ancient
source of comfort and challenge nation of Israel. It begins with the
from pulpits on every continent. We did not follow five books of the Law (the Torah:
cleverly devised stories … Genesis to Deuteronomy), and
Moved by God but we were eyewitnesses proceeds through the Historical
The Bible is a collection of 66 of His majesty. Books (Joshua to Esther). Although
books, written by some 40 authors, 2 Peter 1:16 these books are arranged in roughly
living on three continents (Africa, chronological order, the writing
Asia, and Europe), over 1,400 of the books occurred at various
years (c.1200 BCE–c.100 CE). These points along the timeline. For
authors understood themselves to example, Psalms was probably
be “moved by God” to write “the written quite early, while Isaiah
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INTRODUCTION 13
and Amos were contemporaries. Most of the 27 books of the New and even prayers for judgment
The third group of books are the Testament were written in the on the wicked. The longest chapter
Poetical Books (Job to Song of 1st century CE by Jesus’s apostles, in the Bible is a poem (Psalm 119), in
Solomon), followed by the Major although some books, such as which each of the 22 stanzas
Prophets (meaning “large books”: Hebrews, are anonymous. They comprises 16 lines beginning with
Isaiah to Daniel) and the Minor were written for Christian churches one of the 22 letters of the ancient
Prophets (meaning “small books”: and individuals scattered across Hebrew alphabet. The prophetic
Hosea to Malachi). These books the eastern half of the Roman books contain parables, historical
are considered sacred texts by Empire. The first group of books are accounts, songs, and visions.
both Christians and Jews. the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, The Gospels are a unique
A small set of books, often Luke, and John), which present the literary genre, containing speeches,
referred to as the Apocrypha (from life and ministry of Jesus Christ as sermons, arguments, visions, and
the Latin apocryphus, meaning the fulfillment of the Old Testament miracles, often interpreting events
“hidden”) are considered by Roman prophecies heralding a savior for in Jesus’s life as the fulfillment
Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Israel and the nations. of the Old Testament prophecies.
Christians to be part of the Old The Book of Acts describes the The letters of the New Testament
Testament. These seven books, spread of the message about Jesus contain teaching, encouragement,
plus additions to the Books of in the 30 years after His death, and even rebuke. Many use literary
Daniel and Esther, were primarily resurrection, and ascension into devices common in Greco-Roman
written in Greek from 400–300 BCE. heaven, while the New Testament literature of the 1st century CE ❯❯
They are not regarded as scripture letters, known as “epistles,” are
by either Protestant Christians or divided into the Pauline Epistles
Jews, who argue that these books (Romans to Philemon) and the
deny that there was any prophetic General Epistles (Hebrews to Jude).
word from God (the characteristic The final New Testament text is
of scripture) during the period in the Book of Revelation.
which they were written. Man shall not live on
The New Testament comprises Literary genres bread alone, but on every
the Christian scriptures, 27 books There are many different types word that comes from
that are accepted by all Christian of literature in the 66 books of the mouth of God.
denominations as the complete the Bible. Historical accounts, Matthew 4:4
list of New Testament books. The genealogies, and legal texts
title “New Testament” arises from comprise most of the Law and
the prophecy of a new covenant Historical books of the Old
(“testament”) that God would give Testament. The Poetical books
to His people (Jeremiah 31:31–34). contain proverbs, laments, praises,
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14 INTRODUCTION
such as lists of vices and virtues, the prophecy in Genesis (3:17) of believe these covenants converge
household codes (instructions about one who will “crush the head of the in the life of Jesus, who claimed
family relationships), and topical serpent” and lift the curse of God’s that “[the Scriptures] speak of Me”
treatments of moral questions. judgment on humanity and the (John 5:39) and explained how
Finally, the most difficult form Earth. Often, God pursues His Moses and all the prophets pointed
of literature in the Bible is the purpose by making covenants with to Him (Luke 24:27).
apocalyptic texts. Found in the humankind, such as those made Human weakness is a recurring
Old Testament books of Daniel and with Abraham, Moses, and David. theme in the Bible. Even the
Ezekiel, and in the New Testament God promised Abraham that his greatest leaders are shown to be
Book of Revelation, these highly descendants would become a great flawed. Jacob was a manipulative
symbolic texts describe God’s nation (Israel) and that one particular liar, Samson fornicated with
triumph over the wicked and descendant would bless the whole Delilah, David committed adultery
vindication of the righteous. world. The Mosaic Covenant, also with Bathsheba and murdered her
called the Law of Moses, was given husband to cover it up, and even
Key themes through Moses to the nation of the prophets Elijah and Jeremiah
The Bible begins with the creation Israel, setting the terms of their wanted to give up their calling.
of the world and humanity. This relationship with God. The covenant God uses the weak to confound
original paradise indicates God’s with David promised that one of the strong. He makes a slave nation
intent for humanity—to live in David’s descendants would sit on into His Chosen People (Israel), a
a rich and joyful relationship the throne of Israel forever. Christians murderer into a liberator (Moses),
with God and others, exercising barren women into mothers (Sarah
stewardship over God’s world. and Hannah), and a shepherd
This goal is challenged, however, into a king (David). In the New
when Adam and Eve disobey God, Testament, God uses murderers
bringing ruin and decay upon (Paul) and flawed leaders (Peter)
themselves and creation. This “Fall” to spread the teaching of Jesus.
introduces the central tension in Within the covers
the biblical narrative; the holiness of the Bible are all Early analysis
of God demands the judgment of the answers for all the Traditionally, Jewish scholars, or
sinful humanity, yet the love of God problems men face. rabbi, focused on memorization of
calls for the restoration of humanity Ronald Reagan the Hebrew scriptures as well as
and the fulfillment of God’s purpose debates over their interpretation
for creation. The rest of the Bible and application to Jewish life.
is taken up with resolving this By contrast, early Christian
tension, culminating, in the New scholars, mostly pastors, analyzed
Testament, with the fulfillment of the way in which the scriptures
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INTRODUCTION 15
spoke of Christ. Many tools used while the Father, Son, and Holy skepticism and the scientific
by these scholars are still popular Spirit are each fully God, yet also method, use historical evidence to
today. They included examinations distinct. The 200-year debate, inform their theology, and in order
of grammar and analysis of word which took account of the full range to develop conclusions as to the
choice, such as the links between of biblical statements on these legitimacy of biblical scripture.
the words “Passover” and “passion.” points, without undercutting any, Those who possess a naturalistic
Some, such as Clement (c.150–215 eventually led to the Christian worldview (insisting that things
CE) and Augustine (354–430 CE), doctrine of the Trinity. are the result of natural causes)
adapted pagan philosophy to aid generally reject claims of divine
their reading of scripture. Modern perspectives intervention in history. As a result,
Christian scholars tended to see Modern-day biblical scholars utilize skeptical modern scholarship
difficulties and differences within many of the same tools as their often employs an archaeological
scripture as fruitful sources of ancient counterparts, analyzing, for approach to the Bible, in which
knowledge for those with enough example, the range of meaning in perceived errors must first be
faith to ponder them deeply. In agape (love) across the Bible and sorted through in order to expose
the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, such contemporary Greek literature. underlying truths.
scholars struggled to understand Some scholars affirm the ancient
how there could be only one God, Christian conclusions about Lay study
scripture, while others operate with Study of the Bible is not the sole
a skeptical mindset and rely on domain of scholars and clerics,
external confirmation—physical but their work can enlighten the
evidence or historical records— understanding of the average
before accepting biblical accounts reader. Today, a number of readable
of events. For example, some Bible translations place the sacred
The Bible has been scholars rejected the biblical books of Judaism and Christianity
the Magna Carta of the account of David as the founder into the hands of any interested
poor and oppressed. of a royal dynasty until the reader. While certain books are
The human race is not discovery of the Tel Dan stele in more difficult to read than others,
in a position to northern Israel in 1993–1994. This and history and the Gospels are
dispense with it. battle monument, raised about more engaging than the lineages
Thomas Huxley 200 years after David would have and law codes, those who
lived, tells of an Aramean king read carefully can find wisdom,
celebrating a victory over “the inspiration, and hope in its pages.
house of David.” In cases such The Bible Book is intended to help
as this, some Christian scholars, readers to understand more of this
through their employment of most significant of books. ■
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GENESIS
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GENESIS
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18 INTRODUCTION
Over the course Adam and Eve eat God floods the earth, God makes a
of six days, God the forbidden leaving only the covenant with
creates the world, fruit and God patriarch Noah and Abraham to
and then rests expels them those with him on his worship only Him
on the seventh. from Eden. Ark to survive. and no other God.
1:1–2:1 3:6–24 7:11–9:17 15:18–21
2:7–22 4:8 11:1–9 19:28–29
God creates Adam Cain kills his God destroys the Sodom and
and Eve, the first brother Abel in Tower of Babel Gomorrah are
man and woman, the first example and scatters its destroyed by God
who live in the of murder in people around because the people
Garden of Eden. the Bible. the world. are sinners.
enesis (Beresht in Hebrew) story of Joseph as a third section. in Deuteronomy, a belief still held by
means the origin of The primeval period is concerned traditionalists. However, in the 17th
G everything. For Jews, with creation, disobedience (the century, Protestant reformers began
Genesis is the first of the five books Fall, Cain and Abel), uncreation to doubt the Mosaic authorship. In
of the Torah (the Pentateuch in and punishment (the Flood, Tower 1878, the German biblical scholar
Greek) that open the Hebrew Bible. of Babel), and recreation. In the Julius Wellhausen published his
It not only relates the origin of patriarchal period, God chooses theory that the Torah was written
humankind but also how the Jews’ two descendants of Noah— by four authors, whom he labeled
ancestors, the Israelites, were Abraham and Sarah—to travel to J, E, P, and D—J for the Jahwist
chosen by God to be monotheists. the Promised Land and “be fruitful who used the name YHWH for God;
For Christians, the origin story of and multiply.” The narratives then E for the author who used Elohim;
Genesis is the first in a pair of follow the exploits of their offspring, P for the Priestly class who wrote
bookends, the second of these especially of Abraham’s grandson about genealogies and rituals
being Revelation, the last book Jacob, whose sons found the 12 and created the structure for the
of the Bible, which describes tribes of Israel. In the final story, narratives of J and E; and D for the
the apocalypse. Jacob’s son Joseph brings the author of Deuteronomy.
family to Egypt, preparing the Many scholars see repetitions
Themes and authors ground for the transition to the and contradictions in Genesis as
Genesis divides into two sections, Book of Exodus. a sign of this composite authorship.
the first concerning the primeval According to Jewish and Genesis 1 and 2, for example, tell
period, and the second the Christian traditions, Moses, different creation stories, with God
historical, or patriarchal, period, inspired by God, penned the creating humans at separate points
although some scholars view the entire Torah, including his death in the narrative. Abraham tells two
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GENESIS 19
God tests Abraham Jacob tricks his Joseph is sold into Reunited with Joseph,
by asking him to aging father, Isaac, slavery by his Jacob dies after
sacrifice Isaac, into blessing him brothers, who are giving his blessing
his son. Abraham by pretending to jealous that he is his to each of his
proves his loyalty. be Esau. father’s favorite. 12 sons.
22:1–14 27:1–29 37:12–28 49:29–33
25:33 32:24–32 41:40 50:22–26
Esau sells his Jacob wrestles Pharaoh appoints Joseph dies in
birthright to his with God at Joseph as his second Egypt, requesting
brother Jacob in Peniel, after which in command after his family take his
exchange for food. he is given a new Joseph interprets bones with them
name: Israel. his dreams. when they leave.
different kings that Sarah is his (c.900 BCE), with the “J” author to nonscholarly readers of the Bible,
sister, not his wife (Genesis 12 compiling stories from Judah and perhaps, is the tension between
and 20), and Jacob is renamed the “E” author compiling stories Genesis and science. Translation
Israel twice (Genesis 32 and 35). from the northern tribes, creating of Gilgamesh, the Babylonian
The acceptance of these multiple political narratives to unite the creation story, in 1872 revealed a
truths is a fundamental aspect of divided Israelites. flood story similar to the biblical
rabbinic Judaism. For Christian one. For some, this confirmed that
traditionalists, however, there can Schools of interpretation Genesis was accurate, but for
be no contradictions: Genesis 2 is In the 1960s, scholars led by Robert others, it indicated the influence
a further explanation of 1; Genesis Alter turned to literary criticism of Babylonian mythology. This
12 and 20 are two separate stories; to unlock Genesis, examining translation came only 13 years after
and Jacob’s name is only officially its “final form” in Hebrew. They Darwin published his theory of
changed in Genesis 35 after his looked at literary devices, such as evolution in The Origin of Species
covenant with God. wordplay (often lost in translation), (1859). In 1925, the Scopes trial to
and repetition, and the different determine whether Darwin or
Political purpose genres (which might indicate the Genesis should be taught in
Wellhausen and other scholars also merging of multiple texts). Tennessee schools pushed the
believed the identity of the Genesis In the latter half of the 20th issue to the top of US politics.
authors could be contextualized century, scholars shifted criticism Debate continues in the US today,
from theological and political from the text itself to the personal as a new wave of creationist
implications present in the text. agendas of its interpreters and museums seek to demonstrate
One theory dates the authors to claimed there was no “right” way that science and Genesis are
the reigns of David and Solomon to read the Bible. Most interesting not necessarily incompatible. ■
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AND GOD SAID,
“LET THERE BE
LIGHT”
GENESIS 1:3, CREATION
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AND GOD SAID,
“LET THERE BE
LIGHT”
GENESIS 1:3, CREATION
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22 CREATION
the relationship between God and of seven days unfold, life springs
IN BRIEF everything else. With so much into existence. First, God calls out,
covered in so few words, it is “Let there be light,” and light
PASSAGE not surprising that the start of appears. Then God makes the sky.
Genesis 1:1–2:2
Genesis is considered to be one On the third day, God calls the
THEME of the Bible’s most eloquent yet water to gather into seas, creating
The creation of the difficult passages. dry land, on which plants and trees
universe These opening verses were flourish. On day four, the sun and
most likely written down sometime the moon are put in place, along
SETTING in the 6th century bce, while the with a host of stars. Next, God fills
Primeval period Inside Israelites were being held in exile the sky with birds, and the seas
the Garden of Eden, during the by Babylon, the most powerful state with all their creatures. On the
time covered by the first 11 in the region. The story provided sixth day, God populates the land
chapters of Genesis. a hopeful message about God’s with all kinds of animals, and
purposes for his people and for finally creates humanity “in his
KEY FIGURE the entire world. In contrast to the own image” (1:27). At this point
God Creator of the universe.
Babylonians’ own origin story, in the story, the pinnacle of God’s
Genesis attributes the existence creative work, God entrusts creation
of the universe to the goodwill of into humanity’s stewardship. On
one God. It served to reassure the the seventh day, God rests.
Israelites that even on foreign soil,
they were not out of the reach of Rhythms of life
God’s care, since God had created The story of creation has its own
all land. God did not stand at a structural beauty. Each account
he first few words of the distance, but was intimately of God’s activity is punctuated with
Bible—“In the beginning involved in the story of the world. “and God said,” “and there was
T God created the heavens evening and there was morning,”
and the earth”—introduce us to A world in seven days “and God saw that it was good.”
its central character, God. They Genesis 1:1–2:2 tells a single story This rhythm helps to emphasize
also reveal the universal scope about the beginning of everything. three key messages of the creation
of the Bible’s narrative, from The origin of the universe starts story. The first of these is that God
the heavens to the Earth, and with darkness and emptiness (1:2). creates simply by speaking.
present its overarching theme— As God’s actions over the course Throughout the rest of the Bible,
The Babylonians’ creation story
Believed to have been written pantheon. After a power
down during the Israelites’ struggle between the gods,
captivity in Babylon, Genesis Marduk defeats his rival Tiamat,
provides a significant contrast ripping open her body and
to the Babylonians’ own creation fashioning the two halves into
story known as the Enuma the earth and the skies. Marduk
Elish (“When on High”). While then destroys another rival
the God of Genesis has a loving and uses his blood to create
relationship with humans and humankind to perform the
regards them as stewards of His work that the lesser gods have
creation, the Babylonian god done until then. Marduk also
This impression on a Neo-Assyrian Marduk enslaves humanity. imposes order on the universe
cylinder seal used to create imprints Enuma Elish is essentially an by regulating the moon and the
on wet clay shows the battle explanation for the supremacy of stars and takes control of the
between Marduk and Tiamat. Marduk in the Babylonian weather and calendar.
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GENESIS 23
See also: The Garden of Eden 26–29 ■ The Fall 30–35 ■ The Flood 40–41 ■ Entering the Promised Land 96–97 ■
The New Jerusalem 322–29
The heavens declare
the Glory of God; the
skies proclaim the
work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
the word of God is understood to
be powerful and dynamic, able
to pronounce blessing, judgment,
and forgiveness. If God’s word can
speak the whole universe into
existence, then God’s word can
bring hope to exiles in Babylon
or provide wise advice for ordinary
life. The creation of the world by
God’s word stands behind the
repeated invitation throughout the
Bible to “hear the word of the Lord.”
The second message is that,
while Genesis speaks about the
creation of the physical world and
all living things, it is also about
creating a rhythm to life. Along
with the daily rhythm of night and
day, there is a weekly pattern of
six days of work followed by one
day of rest and a seasonal cycle
marked by the creation of sun,
moon, and stars. Throughout the
Old Testament, these daily, weekly,
and yearly rhythms are enshrined
in Jewish religious practice, with
daily prayer, the weekly rest on the God’s act of creation is understood The Creation is one of 117 woodcut
Sabbath, and an annual cycle of as the giving of order and purpose illustrations by Lucas Cranach the
religious festivals. While it would to the chaos of “the deep.” Elder in Martin Luther’s Bible of
1534. It shows a benevolent God
later become theological orthodoxy The third message of the story looking down on his creation, with
to speak about creation ex nihilo is that God’s creation is “good,” Adam and Eve at the center of
(out of nothing), here in Genesis even “very good” (Genesis 1:31). ❯❯ the Garden of Eden.
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24 CREATION
Contrary to many ancient creation’s innate goodness means The opening of Genesis is a vision
philosophies, which saw the that Judaism and Christianity have of the entire creation. This stands
physical world as a cumbersome an earthly character. They expect behind many of the Psalms—songs
drag on the human spirit, Jewish the spiritual life to have an impact or hymns—later in the Bible, which
and Christian thinking begins on the physical world, whether delight in the beauty and variety
with an affirmation of the goodness through the rhythms of worship of the created world, and find
of the created world. Despite and prayer, or through acts of that creation is a signpost to
humanity’s later departure from service and love that promote the the existence and character of
God’s intentions, a belief in original goodness of God’s world. God. It is a concept developed
in “natural theology,” which uses
the beauty and complexity of the
world as proof of God’s existence.
Natural theology is sometimes
explained using the “watchmaker
analogy,” in which the skill that
brought a watch into existence is
“proof” that a watchmaker exists.
Those who have faith see the
complexity, order, and purpose of
the natural world as an indication
that the Earth is no accident, but
rather designed and made by God.
Modern response
This creationist view was
challenged in the 19th century,
when scientific discoveries led to
new theories of the universe’s
origins. Charles Darwin’s On the
Origin of Species (1859) put forth the
theory of evolution, which stood in
stark contradiction to the Genesis
account of a seven-day creation.
For some people, the theory
of evolution is a reason to reject
not only the Genesis account
of creation, but the whole Bible.
Among Christians, there is a
spectrum of responses to the
creation story. Some believe it
is absolutely true and a reason for
rejecting theories of evolution and
geological evidence; others view the
biblical account as allegorical rather
This illuminated illustration of the
Creation is from the Bible of Souvigny,
produced in Cluny Abbey, France, in
the 12th century. In the Middle Ages,
even non-religious books often opened
with an image of the Creation.
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GENESIS 25
According to the first book The symbolism
of Genesis, God created the of seven
world, all that is in the world,
as well as the entire universe In Genesis, the world is
in seven days. created in six days, followed
by a seventh day of rest.
This is the origin of the
understanding of the number
seven as a perfect, or
complete, number throughout
Day 1:
Light and Day the rest of the Bible. Seven—
or its multiples—are used to
draw the reader’s attention
to something that is complete,
Day 7: Day 2: in the sense that it is all that
Rest Sky and Sea
God wants it to be. For
instance, in the Hebrew
Bible, God has seven different
names. In the New Testament
(Matthew 18:22), Jesus tells
his disciples to forgive
70 times seven, meaning
completely and repeatedly.
Day 6: Animals Day 3: In the book of Revelation, there
and Humans Moon and Stars is a series of sevens—seven
letters, seven lampstands,
seven judgments, seven
trumpets—that represents the
completeness of God’s plan.
The seven churches that the
apostle John addresses at the
start of Revelation represent
the universal church.
Day 5: Day 4:
Fish and Birds Plants and Trees
than literal; a third camp seeks to
combine the two by promoting the
idea of intelligent design that set
the process of evolution in motion.
Current biblical scholarship
also considers the Creation story In the beginning
in the context of the period in was the Word, and
which it was written down—during the Word was with God,
the exile of the Israelites in Babylon and the Word was
in the 6th century bce. Faced with God … Through Him
a threat to their identity by King all things were made.
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, God’s John 1:1–3 The menorah, the candlestick
people are encouraged by the poetic used in Jewish rituals, has
affirmation in Genesis that the seven branches. The design
world is a result of God’s good of the lamp was revealed to
Moses on the top of Mount
and creative purposes, which will Sinai (Exodus 25:31).
ultimately triumph over chaos. ■
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26 IN BRIEF
LET US MAKE PASSAGE
Genesis 1:1–2:25
MAN IN OUR THEME
Creation of humanity
SETTING
IMAGE, IN Eden, during the time covered
Primeval period Inside
by the first 11 chapters
of Genesis.
OUR LIKENESS KEY FIGURES
Adam The first man,
made in God’s image, who
GENESIS 1:26, THE GARDEN OF EDEN is the ruler of all animals
and steward of the Earth.
Eve The first woman,
and companion to Adam.
Created by God, either at the
same time as Adam or by
using one of Adam’s ribs.
n chapter 2 of Genesis,
God creates the Garden
I of Eden, an earthly paradise.
We cannot know Eden’s exact
location, but scholars have
proposed several possibilities,
including Mesopotamia (now Iraq),
Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Armenia.
Genesis 2:8 mentions the Euphrates
and the Tigris rivers, which both
flow into the Persian Gulf via
Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.
God creates the garden by
bringing streams up from the earth
and filling the ground with plants
that are “pleasing to the eye and
good for food.” There are two trees
in the middle of the garden—the
Tree of Life and the Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The making of man
Genesis depicts the creation of
humankind in two separate
passages. The first of these (1:27),
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GENESIS 27
See also: The Fall 30–35 ■ Covenants 44–47 ■ Entering the Promised Paradise
Land 96–97 ■ The New Jerusalem 322–29
According to the Bible, the
Garden of Eden is perfection
itself—a place of beauty and
abundance, free of disease,
death, and evil, into which
God sets Adam, the pinnacle
of His creation. After around
500 bce, this wondrous place
becomes synonymous with
the Hebrew term pardes
(orchard), stemming from
the Persian word paridayda
(walled enclosure).
The concept of paradise is
important within Christianity,
Judaism, and Islam. Even
as He is dying on the cross,
Jesus says to a thief hanging
beside him, “Truly, I tell you,
today you will be with me in
believed to have been written in Adam is made in God’s image in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). The
the 6th century bce by the Jewish Michelangelo’s God creates Adam Jewish Talmud (the written
priestly writer referred to as “P,” (c.1512), one of nine scenes from the version of oral law) associates
is cursory. It implies that both book of Genesis painted on the ceiling paradise with the Garden of
sexes are formed at the same time, of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Eden, and within Islam, the
on the sixth day of creation: “So concept of jannah or “garden”
God created mankind in his own Eve until Genesis 3:20, after describes the destination of
image,” “male and female he eating the fruit from the Tree of the righteous after death.
created them.” the Knowledge of Good and Evil
The second passage, chapter (see pp. 30–35).
2:7, attributed to the oldest source Biblical references to God’s
of the Pentateuch (the first five image, in which humankind is
books of the Bible), known as made, are contradictory. Some
Jahwist (or “J”), provides more passages ascribe human features,
detail and describes God in such as arms, eyes, hands, and a
human terms. In this account, beard to God and refer to Him as
God forms the man out of dust “walking in the garden” (3:8).
and “breathes into his nostrils Others depict him as a type of
the breath of life.” God goes on angel, sheltering humans “under
to create Eve when He sees that his wings.” More significant are the
it is not good for Adam (Hebrew spiritual attributes shared by God
for man) to be alone. Putting Adam and humankind, which include
into a deep sleep, God removes a intellect, the capacity for rational
rib from his side and creates a thought, morality, free will,
woman from it (2:21). Seeing that creativity, and compassion.
this new being closely resembles
him, Adam composes a poem: Divine spark Strange and familiar beasts
“This is now bone of my bones and Inherent in God giving Adam populate the Garden of Eden
flesh of my flesh; she shall be called life through His divine breath portrayed in the left-hand panel of
Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden
‘woman,’ for she was taken out of is the implication that humans of Earthly Delights, c.1510.
man” (2:23). She is not referred to as themselves—unlike animals—❯❯
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28 THE GARDEN OF EDEN
and unashamed. As they are alone God created all humans as equal,
with God, some readers assume regardless of gender, race, or any
that their days are centered around other characteristics.
worshipping and communing with Yet the Bible is sometimes cited
Him; their relationship with God is in support of claims that women
Adam was placed in unlike any other creatures’. are inferior to men. Genesis 2:18
Paradise in perfect In addition to managing the refers to Eve’s creation as Adam’s
estate … God walked animals and tending the garden “helper” (Hebrew ezer) and
and did talk with him. (“to work it and take care of it”), therefore potentially subordinate
John Jewel (1522–1571) the pair are instructed to reproduce to him. However, some scholars
Bishop of Salisbury (“be fruitful and increase in suggest that ezer should have
number”). For now, at least, Adam been translated as “companion,”
and Eve are content with their implying greater equality.
bountiful lives and observe God’s
one prohibition: while they are free The divine “We”
to eat the fruit from the Tree of Life, In Genesis and throughout the Old
which grants them immortality, to Testament, God is often talked
are blessed with the essence of eat the fruit from the mysterious about in the plural—for example,
divinity. Mankind’s capacity for Tree of the Knowledge of Good “our” likeness (Genesis 1:26).
rationality and morality is the and Evil will be on pain of certain This has triggered much debate
reason why no suitable companion death (2:17). and many theories. Possible
could be found for Adam among explanations include polytheism
the animals and why God gave One man, one woman (meaning that God himself is
Adam and Eve responsibility Adam and Eve are the first couple referring to more than one god),
to look after the Earth and rule (2:24–25 says the pair become although this is soundly refuted
over the animals (1:26–28). In “one flesh”) and their union has in passages such as Isaiah 45:6
Judeo-Christian philosophy, these traditionally been the yardstick where God states, “I am the
passages have been cited to justify for God’s perfect intention for LORD, and there is no other.”
humans using animals to serve marriage—one man and one
their own needs. woman united in matrimony for
Yet, despite having divine life. Crucially, the affirmation in God pulls Eve from the rib of the
spark and being created in God’s Genesis that both sexes are made sleeping Adam in an image from
a manuscript of 1480 based on
image, Adam and Eve are flawed in the image of God is often St. Jerome’s 4th-century Latin
(Matthew 19:26). God is everywhere used to support the concept that translation of the Hebrew Bible.
(Proverbs 5:21) and is superior to
everything else in the universe
(Psalms 115:3), while Adam and
Eve are limited. In the 13th century,
the theologian Thomas Aquinas
defined God as perfect (lacking
nothing), immutable, and infinite,
unlike humans, whom he described
as spiritually, intellectually, and
emotionally limited.
Original innocence
Although their flaws are revealed
by subsequent events, Adam and
Eve are created without sin and
in complete innocence. Genesis
2:25 tells us that they are naked
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GENESIS 29
God creates God breathes
Adam out of his divine breath
the earth. into Adam, giving
him life.
God puts Adam to
sleep and removes a Unlike the
rib from Adam’s body animals, Adam has
to create woman as a divine spark. God
companion for Adam. sees that he needs
a companion.
Adam and Eve
The first human couple,
Yet despite Adam and Eve were created—
The pair tend as adults—in the image of
the garden and their divine God. As they were not born
commune with God. spark, Adam and in the same way as their
They are innocent Eve are limited, descendants, they would not
and know no sin. unlike God. have needed umbilical cords.
Despite this, navels are still
present in many artistic
representations of the pair.
Other explanations are that theories of creation, recent surveys Genesis 2:7 says that
God is including his attendant in the United States have revealed Adam is created out of dust.
Adamah is Hebrew for
angels in the “us” of Genesis 1:26. a widespread belief in the existence “ground” or “earth,” a
Another explanation is that the of Adam and Eve. (They are partly reference to both Adam’s
plurals here and in Genesis 3:22 supported by a group of scientists origins and his fate after the
(“the man has now become like who have traced human genetic Fall (see pp. 30–35). The word
one of us”) describe a conversation history back many thousands of Eve means “life.” She and the
that God the Father is having with years, potentially to the first men man are inseparable, made
God the Son and God the Holy and women.) from one flesh, as they come
Spirit, the Trinity, a concept The Bible is clear—in Genesis from the same body (Adam’s)
developed in the New Testament. and elsewhere—that Adam is the and are brought together, both
first man and not descended from in marital union with each
Human origins other humans. Adam is referred to other and in full communion
The creation of Adam and Eve in Luke 3:38 as “the son of God,” with God. Humankind’s
and the events unfolding in the just as angels in the Old Testament remarkable journey begins
Garden of Eden are also described are made by God (for example, with Adam and Eve. Without
in the Islamic Qur’an. While Job 1:6, 38:7 and Daniel 3:25). them there is no fall from
grace or sin, and thereby no
many Christians reject a literal The Bible depicts Adam as a living need for suffering, mortality,
interpretation of Genesis in favor of entity with many descendants who, redemption, atonement, or
a more allegorical approach that according to Genesis 5:5, lives until Jesus Christ.
also encompasses evolutionary he is 930 years old. ■
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THEY REALIZED
THAT THEY WERE
NAKED
GENESIS 3:7, THE FALL
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32 THE FALL
IN BRIEF
PASSAGE
Genesis 3:1–24
THEME
Original sin
SETTING
Primeval period The
Garden of Eden during
the time covered by the first
11 chapters of Genesis.
KEY FIGURES
Serpent In the Christian view,
the embodiment of Satan, the
archenemy of God.
Adam The first man, created
by God in His own image on
the sixth day of creation.
Eve The first woman, created
as a companion for Adam,
with whom he would populate
the Earth.
n the third chapter of Genesis, The forbidden fruit from the Tree
Adam and Eve’s disobedience, of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
I punishment, and alienation passes from Eve to Adam in a detail
from God pave the way for the from Cornelus van Haarlem’s The Fall
emergence of evil, bringing suffering, of Man, c.1592.
For God knows that discord, and death into a sinless
when you eat from it world. Until then, Adam and Eve live It is the serpent, identified in
your eyes will be and work in paradise, enjoying a Genesis 3:1 as an extremely
opened, and you will close relationship with each other crafty animal, that questions
be like God, knowing and with God. They are forbidden God’s motives in forbidding the
good and evil. only one thing—fruit from the Tree fruit. It slyly implies that God is
Genesis 3:5 of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, deliberately withholding something
which grows in the center of the desirable—the means by which
garden. Eating this, warns God, will Adam and Eve can obtain wisdom
result in death. He gives no reasons and be like God. Eve needs little
or details for His command, but persuasion. The fruit looks good
Adam obeys and avoids the Tree. and she is tempted, so she eats
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GENESIS 33
See also: Sodom and Gomorrah 48–49 ■ David and Bathsheba 118–19 ■ The role of the serpent
The Crucifixion 258–65 ■ Salvation through Faith 301
No one knows why the crafty
serpent is chosen to tempt
Tree of Life, humans are now
mortal and will die. As God informs Eve into disobedience. Unlike
most animals in the Bible, it
Adam, “For dust you are and to is able to talk, implying that
dust you will return” (3:19). Cast it is more intelligent than
adrift, humankind is now in other animals. Whispering
By the sweat of your constant danger from the evil into Eve’s ear in Genesis 3:5,
brow you will eat within themselves and from others. it causes her to doubt God.
your food until you The Genesis account does not
return to the ground. Humankind and free will mention Satan, although the
Genesis 3:19 In Christian thought, a sinful act wily serpent is seen within
is a deliberate action, attitude, or Christianity (but not Judaism)
thought against God. This includes as the devil or his mouthpiece.
things that are done but should Satan is later specifically
not be (sins of commission) and alluded to in Revelation 20:2
those that are not done but should as “that ancient snake, who
be (sins of omission). The fact is the devil, or Satan …”
Snakes are not always
it and gives some to Adam. that all choices are open to sin represented as evil entities
Immediately, the couple see that takes humankind down a path of in the Bible. They are also
they are naked. Ashamed, they perpetual wrongdoing, frequently seen as strong, courageous
sew fig leaves together to cover referred to in the Bible as “slavery.” creatures. For example,
themselves and hide. Later, Adam For Christians, the exercise of Moses’s staff turns into a
admits to eating the fruit but free will is central to the story of snake on his command
blames Eve: “She gave me some the Fall. Adam and Eve’s actions (Exodus 4:3) and God asks him
fruit from the tree, and I ate it” show that human beings have the to make a statue of a serpent
(3:12). Eve passes on responsibility freedom to make poor choices, with the power to heal snake
too: “The snake deceived me, and but there is a price to pay. Up to bites (Numbers 21:8).
I ate” (3:13). this point, Adam and Eve have
God’s punishments are swift chosen to obey God. In the face
and severe. He condemns the of temptation, they make unwise
serpent to crawl and eat dust for choices that have catastrophic
the rest of its life. Eve is told she results. God insists that the couple
will suffer excruciating pain in face up to what they have done—
childbirth and be ruled by her with every exercise of free will
husband. Cursing the ground from comes a consequence (desirable
which Adam was made, God tells or not) for which responsibility
Adam he must forever toil before must be taken.
he can eat. Finally, God expels Theologians have long
Adam from the garden—Eve leaves been occupied by the matter
with him—and places cherubim of theological fatalism, or the
(angelic hybrid creatures) and a incompatibility between the
flaming sword on the east side concepts of free will and God’s
of Eden to keep them out. omniscience. If people can choose, The serpent descends from the
how can God foresee their choices? Tree of the Knowledge of Good
The creation of death Judaism accepts this as a paradox and Evil to tempt Eve in the
It soon becomes clear that there is beyond human understanding, defining moment of the Fall. For
a price for gaining wisdom—pain, believing that God exists outside its part in the catastrophe, the
serpent is cursed above all
toil, scarcity, fear, and suffering. of time. His knowledge of the past, livestock and all wild animals.
Denied access to fruit from the present, and future does ❯❯
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34 THE FALL
A cherub drives Adam and Eve [Adam], and death through sin, The Augustinian view of Original
from the Garden of Eden with “a and so death spread to all men Sin was formally adopted by the
flaming sword flashing back and because all sinned.” In the 5th Roman Catholic Church during the
forth to guard the way to the Tree century, St. Augustine (354–430 ce) 16th century. The doctrine was
of Life” (Genesis 3:24).
developed Paul’s doctrine further, also popular among Protestant
saying that spiritual weakness was reformers, such as Martin Luther
not interfere with free will. Some inherited via “concupiscence,” or and John Calvin. They equated it
Christians reconcile this conundrum sexual intercourse, which deprives with perpetual human longing for
by believing that God limits people of self-control. fleshly pursuits that persist even
his omniscience to preserve
humankind’s dignity and freedom. Judaism and sin point in our lives. Because we
have free will (behirah), we are
Original sin The doctrine of Original Sin naturally frail and likely to give
According to Christian doctrine, became a central tenet of way to our sinful inclinations
the consequence of Adam and Christianity but this concept (yetzer). Not all sins are
Eve’s disobedience is that all is rejected by Judaism. Instead, committed deliberately, but
humans are born sinful, with an Jews believe that we are born those that are will be punished,
inborn tendency to succumb to pure rather than tainted by the either here on Earth or later,
temptation and disobey God. While sins of our ancestors. They think after death.
God is blameless, people are Adam is not to blame for the The many Old Testament
damned, deserve to suffer, and wrongdoing of his descendants. stories concerning the nation
require salvation. Known as We commit sin (het in Hebrew, of Israel and its sins look at the
Original Sin (or ancestral sin), this meaning “something that goes nature of human beings,
the meaning of sin, and the
doctrine was set out by Paul the astray”) because we are not potential for the forgiveness
perfect beings. We must accept
Apostle, in Romans 5:12: “Sin came that we all transgress at some of those sins.
into the world through one man
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GENESIS 35
God punishes
the wrongdoers.
The serpent is
forced to crawl
on its belly
and eat dust;
Eve and her
daughters are
destined to
endure pain
in childbirth;
and Adam and
his sons will
always toil in
The serpent The woman Adam order to eat.
after baptism (the rebirth and the of spiritual death: “You were dead in yourselves be burdened again
washing away of hereditary sin). your transgressions and sins …” by a yoke of slavery.” Christians
Calvin went further, rejecting the For Christians, it is only through sometimes refer to Christ as the
concept of free will in favor of faith in Jesus Christ, who was sent “Second Adam.” The first Adam
predestination—the idea that all by God to die for humankind’s sins, sins and causes the fall of
events are willed by God. that someone can be born again humanity; the second (Christ)
Both Judaism and Islam and reawaken spiritually. This is dies and redeems humanity.
reject the idea of Original Sin. a central theme of redemption
According to the Qur’an, Adam (the act of cleansing away Original Blame falls on Eve
and Eve are equally responsible Sin). Redemption is achieved by Christianity has traditionally blamed
for the Fall. After their expulsion receiving God’s grace, through Eve—and all womankind—for the
from the Garden of Eden, they are baptism, and accepting that Fall from God’s grace, and seen
forgiven by God and become His Jesus Christ died for the sins that her as degenerate, morally weak,
representatives on Earth. enslave humankind. and subordinate to man. Paul
In his letter to the Galatians contributed to this view. In
The wages of sin (5:1), Paul proclaims, “It is for 1 Timothy 2:14, he absolves Adam
Original Sin helps to explain why freedom that Christ has set us free. and blames Eve, saying, “Adam was
God allows innocent people to Stand firm, then, and do not let not deceived, but the woman
suffer. Personal innocence is no was deceived and became a
immunity against God’s wrath; transgressor.” Many medieval
everyone is a sinner by nature and theologians echoed Paul’s views,
(eventually) by choice. “All have and Christian art reinforced this
sinned and come short of the glory interpretation. Michelangelo’s
of God,” says Romans 3:23. Nor can the Apostle mean fresco of the Fall (c.1510) in the
Christian doctrine maintains that Eve only sinned … Sistine Chapel in the Vatican
that because of humankind’s for if Adam sinned shows a serpent with the upper
Original Sin, every person is born willfully and knowingly, body and long blonde hair of
separated from God. When Paul he became the a woman, an image that was
states in Romans 6:23 that “the greater transgressor. prevalent during the Renaissance.
wages of sin are death,” he is Mary Astell (1666–1731) However, Genesis itself does
referring to Adam’s original sin not attribute blame for the Fall.
and death as a condemnation by English feminist On the contrary, it indicates that
and separation from God rather Adam is present when the serpent
than a physical death. The inability speaks to Eve and receives equal
to have a relationship with God is punishment, suggesting that they
described in Ephesians 2:1 as a form are both culpable. ■
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36
AM I MY
BROTHER’S
KEEPER?
GENESIS 4:9, CAIN AND ABEL
he story of Cain and Abel
IN BRIEF is the second installment
T of the Fall narrative,
PASSAGE describing the first manifestation
Genesis 4:1–16
of evil in humankind. Genesis 4
THEME tells how Adam and Eve’s elder
The first murder son, Cain, murders his brother,
Abel. It follows a similar pattern
SETTING to the previous chapter: ignoring
Primeval period The divine warnings and committing
unnamed land where Adam, a sin is punished, in this case with
Eve, and their children live exile. While Adam and Eve disobey
after leaving the Garden God’s specific command, Cain’s sin
of Eden. is violent: his anger at God and
jealousy of Abel lead him to commit
KEY FIGURES an act of fratricide.
Cain Eldest son of Adam and Death of Abel by Andrea Schiavone
Eve and the brother of Abel. Sibling rivalry (c.1510–1563) shows Cain committing
Like his father, Cain is an Genesis 4 begins with the birth the first murder in the Bible. The
agriculturalist. of the two brothers to Adam and dying sheep depicted in the background
Abel Second son of Adam Eve. When the boys reach foreshadows the death of Abel.
and Eve and younger brother adulthood, they pursue different
of Cain. Abel is a herdsman. occupations. The elder brother, suggestion that disputes over
Cain, becomes an agriculturalist, land use—or any inherent conflict
a tiller of the soil, like his father; between the occupations—was
Abel, the second son, becomes the source of the animosity
a pastoralist, a keeper of sheep between Cain and Abel.
and goats. These were the chief In the passage, both brothers
occupations during the time in bring sacrificial offerings to God.
which the authors of Genesis were Abel takes “fat portions from some
writing, and tensions sometimes of the firstborn of his flock,” while
flared up between agriculturalists Cain brings “some of the fruits of
and pastoralists over the use of the soil” (4:3). God responds
the land. However, there is no favorably to Abel’s offering, but
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GENESIS 37
See also: Joseph the Dreamer 58–61 ■ The Ten Commandments 78–83 ■ The Prodigal Son 218–21 ■
The Final Judgment 316–21
Murderers
shall be put to death.
(Exodus 21:12)
God exiles Cain Anyone who takes
for slaying Abel. human life is
(Genesis 4:12) to be put to death.
(Leviticus 24:17)
All murder is
condemned in the
eyes of the Lord.
Murderers will never
enter the Holy City. If someone kills
(Revelation 22:15) unintentionally they may
seek sanctuary.
(Deuteronomy 19:4)
1 John 3:12
condemns Cain as “evil”.
not to Cain’s, which is less what Cain has done and banishes of Nod (“east of Eden”), God puts a
valuable. Cain is jealous of Abel. Cain from the land onto which he mark on Cain. Contrary to popular
Noticing Cain’s anger (4:7), God spilled his brother’s blood. “You wisdom, this “mark of Cain” is a
warns him that if he does not do will be a restless wanderer on the sign of God’s continued protection,
what is right, sin will “crouch” at earth,” God says (4:12). not a brand of shame. God says that
the door (the Hebrew word for Unrepentant, Cain says his anyone who kills Cain “will suffer
“crouching” being the same as the punishment is more than he can vengeance seven times over.” Cain
Babylonian word for a demon that bear. Before exiling him to the land then leaves for the land of Nod. ■
waits in doorways, a play on words
by the authors of Genesis, who The sanctity of life murder to be recorded by
were writing during the Jews’ the Bible happens five
captivity in Babylon in the sixth The Ten Commandments that generations later in Genesis
century bce). God tells Cain to God gives to Moses on Mount 4:26. This time the murderer
master the demonic temptation Sinai in Exodus are clear: “You is Cain’s descendant Lamech,
of sin. Cain, however, does not shall not murder” (Exodus who kills a man for wounding
temper his impulses. Instead, he 20:13). Cain’s punishment for him. Lamech says: “If Cain
lures his brother out into the fields murder was exile. God punished is avenged seven times,
and murders him. him, but also showed mercy by then Lamech seventy-seven
extending Cain his protection. times” (4:24).
Cain’s punishment In this way, God sought to In Israel during biblical
When God asks Cain where Abel avert a potential cycle of times, “Anyone who takes the
is, Cain says that he does not know. violence and retaliation. By life of a human being is put to
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” he asks marking Cain (Genesis 4:15), He death” (Leviticus 24:17), but
stopped others from taking the
places of refuge were also
(4:9). In another play on words, he law into their own hands by created for anyone who killed
is insolently asking, “Am I, the killing Cain. God’s plan seemed someone “accidentally and
agriculturalist, the shepherd of my to work, for a time, as the next unintentionally” (Joshua 20:3).
shepherd brother?” God knows
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38
AT THAT TIME PEOPLE
BEGAN TO CALL ON THE
NAME OF THE LORD
GENESIS 4:26, THE ORIGIN OF PRAYER
he first extended prayer prayer in which the person praying
IN BRIEF in the Bible arises from complains about, or laments, the
T the anguish of a couple situation and petitions God to
PASSAGES longing for children. It bursts forth intervene. This leads to resolution
Genesis 15:1–6 Abraham during a conversation initiated by following divine intervention, which
prays for a child.
God with Abraham. After the King may take the form of a promise.
Genesis 21:8–21 Hagar, of Sodom tries to strike a deal that
Ishmael, and the well. will obligate Abraham, God tells Petitioning God
Abraham not to be afraid. God According to Genesis, the cult of
THEME himself will be Abraham’s shield Israel’s God, Yahweh, begins
The potential of prayer and “very great reward.” To this during the third generation of
Abraham retorts: “What can you human life on Earth, when Adam
SETTING
Primeval period During the give me since I remain childless?”
(Genesis 15:2). God’s answer to this
time covered by the first 11 outburst, or prayer, is to take
chapters of Genesis.
Abraham outside and point to the
KEY FIGURES night sky: “Look up at the heavens
Abraham Son of Terah, the and count the stars—if indeed you
ninth son of Noah. can count them.” God pauses, then
adds: “So shall your offspring be.”
Sarah Wife of Abraham, who
is barren for many years. A God who cares
Abraham’s encounter says much
Hagar Sarah’s Egyptian about prayer in the Bible. First, it
handmaiden and concubine takes place within the context
of Abraham. of a dialogue between God and
Ishmael Hagar and humankind, initiated by God. It
Abraham’s son. assumes there is a God who cares
and can be pleaded with. The
person praying expresses themself
with honesty and vigor, the prayer Prayer beads, used to count prayers,
are clasped by members of the
often taking the form of a lament congregation at a Catholic church in
about a painful situation. A common Baghdad, following the death of Pope
pattern involves a crisis, leading to John Paul II in 2005.
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GENESIS 39
See also: Esau and Jacob 54–55 ■ The Exodus 74–77 ■ The names of God
The Prophet Samuel 110–15 ■ The Crucifixion 258–65
Names in biblical times were
The evolution of prayer more than just a label: they
stood for a person’s being and
status. Even more significant
were the names of God. The
Petitionary prayer. A prayer in peril. three names for God most
Abraham prays for an Moses prays for help frequently used in the Hebrew
Bible are El (more than 200
heir and is rewarded with when his people turn against times), Elohim (2,570 times),
one. Genesis 15:5 him. Exodus 17:4
and Yahweh (6,800 times).
El was both a generic word
for “god” and the name of the
chief god of the Canaanites—
a benevolent deity portrayed
as an old man with a beard.
A conviction that El is often used in compounds:
prayer of all kinds Everlasting God, God
reaches God. Almighty, Most High God.
Elohim is another generic
word for “god,” emphasizing
God’s universality. It is used
in the first verse of Genesis:
“In the beginning God created
Silent prayer. Prayer as confession. the heavens and the earth.”
Hannah prays in her Ezra prays and confesses. Yahweh (or YHWH, since
heart. Samuel 1:13 Ezra 9:5–10:4 ancient Hebrew script lacked
vowels) is the personal name
of the God of Israel. The name
is explained in Exodus, during
and Eve’s third son Seth has a wife, Sarah, leads to Hagar and her Moses’s encounter at the
son called Enosh. At this time, son Ishmael being banished to the burning bush, where God’s
Genesis tells us, people begin to wilderness, where they run out of words are translated: “I am
invoke the name of Yahweh. water. Hagar places Ishmael in the who I am.”
Many of the earliest prayers are shade of a bush, then sits a short
petitions for the birth or protection distance away because she cannot my master Abraham, who has not
of children. Isaac’s prayer to bear to watch her child die. Her abandoned his kindness and
Yahweh on behalf of his wife prayer brings a response from the faithfulness to my master.” The
Rebekah leads to her becoming angel of God, who calls out to addition of such praise becomes
pregnant with the twins Esau reassure her of God’s protection. more common later in the Bible.
and Jacob. The passion of such She opens her eyes to see a well. For believers, biblical examples of
petitions is sometimes expressed prayer show that humans can
in the names given to longed-for Prayers of thanksgiving communicate with God and that
sons. For example, Leah, the first Another great strand of prayer, God listens and responds. In the
wife of Jacob, names her first son praise and thanksgiving, occurs New Testament, prayer is usually
Reuben (“See, a son”), because, she when Abraham sends his servant communicated to God in the name
explains, “the Lord has seen my to Mesopotamia to find a wife for of Jesus Christ, through the Holy
misery” (Genesis 29:32). Isaac. The servant petitions God for Spirit. Prayer relies on promises of
Another particularly poignant success in his mission. When his the Spirit’s aid in prayer and God’s
prayer involves Hagar, the Egyptian prayer is answered, he bows down favorable reception of prayers
concubine of Abraham, Isaac’s and worships Yahweh, saying: offered under Jesus’s authority
father. The jealousy of Abraham’s “Praise be to the Lord, the God of (Romans 8:26 and John 14:13–14). ■
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40
ONLY NOAH WAS LEFT,
AND THOSE WHO WERE
WITH HIM IN THE ARK
GENESIS 7:23, THE FLOOD
IN BRIEF Genesis establishes But after several
humans as stewards generations, humanity has
PASSAGE of the Earth. grown corrupt.
Genesis 6:1–8:14
THEME
Obedience and
trust in God But he preserves Noah
and the animals to begin God resolves to remake
SETTING a new life after the Flood. the world.
Primeval period The
floodwaters sent by God to
cover the Earth; Mount Ararat,
Mesopotamia.
God makes a covenant
KEY FIGURE with Noah that he will not
Noah Son of Lamech, who is destroy the earth again. God tells Noah all
a descendant of Seth, the creatures are given
third son of Adam and Eve. into his hands.
A righteous man, Noah Humanity must
becomes father to Shem at now care for the
Earth and
500 years old, and then to Human stewardship is behave well.
Japheth and Ham. affirmed in Psalm 8.
t the end of the first for all the people of the earth had
chapter of Genesis, God corrupted their ways” (6:12). His
A surveys His creation. heart “filled with pain,” He resolves
“God saw what he had made,” to “wipe mankind … from the face
Genesis tells us, “and it was very of the earth—men and animals,
good” (1:31). By the sixth chapter, and creatures that move along the
the mood has darkened. “God saw ground, and birds of the air—for I
how corrupt the earth had become, am grieved that I have made them.”
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GENESIS 41
See also: Creation 20–25 ■ Covenants 44–47 ■ Sodom and Gomorrah 48–49 ■ The Psalms 138–43 ■
The Suffering Servant 154–55 ■ The New Jerusalem 322–29
Noah’s family and the animals leave
the Ark when it comes to rest in the
Ararat region of Mesopotamia. Simon
de Myle’s painting (c.1570) shows
aggression and chaos soon returning.
back and forth until the land is
dry again. The second time, Noah
sends out a dove—it returns with
an olive leaf in its bill. The next
time, the dove does not return.
Noah now knows that it is safe
to leave the ark.
The first covenant
Cleansed by water, the world
emerges anew. Noah, effectively
a second Adam, makes a sacrifice
to God, who repeats to Noah and
his family the blessing made in
Genesis 1: “Be fruitful and increase
One thing makes Him modify His As the waters rise, God remembers in number and fill the earth.” God
intention, however: the existence Noah, and all the animals and also enters into a covenant with
of one “righteous man,” Noah. livestock. In the Bible, remembering Noah, the first of a series of
often involves the fulfillment of an covenants between God and
Remaking the world obligation or promise. Here, God humankind. “Never again will all
The writers of Genesis used the sends a wind, and the waters life be cut off by the waters of a
story of Noah to reflect upon what recede. In a famous passage, Noah flood; never again will there be
scholars have called creation, sends out a raven to test how far a flood to destroy the earth.” The
un-creation, and re-creation. God the waters have withdrawn. It flies sign of this pact is the rainbow. ■
makes creation good; humanity
spoils it. Patiently, God un-creates Flood stories tablets recording the Babylonian
in order to re-create. Like other epic of Gilgamesh, which may
stories in Genesis, The Flood Cultures worldwide have sagas have been written down as early
shows that God will judge and of cataclysmic floods. In the as the 22nd century bce and was
punish sin but also offer salvation case of ancient Mesopotamia probably based on an older oral
to the faithful and penitent. and the surrounding region, tradition, the sole human
To deal with human depravity, there are at least three other survivor of the flood is called
God sends a flood to wipe out “all versions of the Great Flood Utnapishtim. The third account
life under the heavens” apart from story, possibly inspired by a is the Akkadian epic of Atra-
“righteous” Noah, his family, and a devastating flooding of the hasis, written down in around
full sampling of animal life. God Tigris and Euphrates rivers 1700 bce, whose eponymous
tells Noah to build an ark, or ship, known to have taken place in hero is “exceedingly wise.”
These stories later found
to contain him, his family, and “two 2900 bce. In the Sumerian flood their way into Greek and Roman
story, the equivalent of Noah is
of all living creatures, male and Ziusudra, a man known for his mythology—the Roman poet
female, to keep them alive” (6:19). humility. In a version of the flood Ovid tells a version of the flood
Noah does as God bids. When they narrative found on one of the story in his Metamorphoses.
enter the ark, God shuts them in.
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42
COME, LET US BUILD
OURSELVES A CITY, WITH
A TOWER THAT REACHES
TO THE HEAVENS
GENESIS 11:4, THE TOWER OF BABEL
pyramid that reaches toward the sees that if the citizens of Babel
IN BRIEF heavens. Not surprisingly, they are continue to progress at this rate,
proud of this achievement. nothing will be beyond them. Part
PASSAGE of their power, He decides, lies in
Genesis 11:1–9
High ambitions the fact that they all speak the
THEME The story of the Tower of Babel same language.
The power of humanity comes at the end of the first
section of Genesis, before moving The sin of arrogance
SETTING on from the creation of the universe Genesis does not explicitly
After the Great Flood to a more particular account of the state the reasons for God’s
Shinar, Mesopotamia. ancestral origins of the nation of disapproval, but among the options
Israel. The Babel narrative draws suggested by scholars is that the
KEY FIGURE on historical realities—people tower is an outward expression
People of the world did migrate and Babel was an of the sin of human arrogance. In
Descendants of Noah, early name for Babylon—in order a statement of His own, God says,
who speak one language. to tell a universal story about “Come, let us go down and confuse
humankind’s tendency to behave their language so they will not
against God’s wishes. It is not just understand each other” (11:7).
the Babylonians who are depicted
enesis 11 describes a here, but the whole world, all
large people journeying speaking the same language.
G westward in a mass After settling in Shinar, the
migration. They decide to settle in people spur themselves on with
the land of Shinar, another name two emphatic statements: “Come,
for Babylonia, after finding the let’s make bricks and bake them If … they have begun to do
Mesopotamian floodplain fertile. thoroughly. … Come, let us build this, then nothing that they
Although there is no stone with ourselves a city, with a tower that propose to do will now
which to build a city, the people reaches to the heavens, so that be impossible for them.
are technologically innovative and we may make a name for ourselves Genesis 11:6
learn to create imposing structures and not be scattered over the face
using bricks, with bitumen for of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4).
mortar. They establish a great Wary of what is happening
city and begin to build a ziggurat, among the people of Shinar, God
a temple tower in the shape of a visits the city and its tower. He
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GENESIS 43
See also: The Fall 30–35 ■ The Flood 40–41 ■ Sodom and Gomorrah 48–49 ■ Gateways to heaven
The Fall of Jerusalem 128–31 ■ The Day of Pentecost 282–83
Most Mesopotamian cities,
including Babylon, had
He separates the people of Babel Babel and the Hebrew balal, ziggurats, which rose from
by language so that they are unable meaning “confuse.” The intention the surrounding plain like
to complete the tower. God then may be to poke fun at Babylon, artificial mountains reaching
scatters them across the world, whose name meant “Gate of God.” up to the heavens. These
in accordance with His previous A more appropriate name, the temples were seen as
command in Genesis 1:22 to be Genesis writers may be suggesting, gateways between the world
“fruitful and increase in number would be confusion. of humans and the gods—an
and fill the earth.” Hostility toward Babylon is act of pride disliked by the
not surprising given that the book God of the Israelites. They
Political purpose of Genesis probably took its final were built with brick—there
The story also has a satirical form in the 5th century bce, not long was little or no stone in the
undercurrent. In the last verse, after the Judeans had returned to Mesopotamian floodplain—
for example—“That is why it was Judah from their enforced exile in with solid mud-brick cores
called Babel—because there the Babylon following the Babylonian and exteriors of fired brick.
Lord confused the language of the capture of Judah. That experience, Sometimes their sides were
whole world” (11:9)—play is made of along with the Israelites’ sufferings landscaped, as is commonly
depicted in images of the
a similarity between the name at the hands of other regional Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
powers, may help explain the The inspiration for the
author’s seeming preference for story of the Tower of Babel is
Cloud obscures the soaring tip of smaller scattered nations, each
the Tower of Babel in a painting by an thought to be the Etemenanki
unknown 16th-century Flemish artist, with its own language and (“House of the Foundation of
who set the tower in a busy river port territory, over the consolidation Heaven and Earth”), a seven-
with basilicas and mosques. of power in a single imperial city. ■ story ziggurat topped by a
sanctuary dedicated to the
god Marduk. The chief temple
of Babylon, the Etemenanki
was destroyed by the Assyrian
King Sennacherib in 689 bce.
Ziggurats have not
survived as well as the
stone-built pyramids of Egypt
but their remains still exist,
including those of the Great
Ziggurat of Ur in southern Iraq.
Partially restored, the Great
Ziggurat of Ur, in modern-day
Iraq, was built during the Third
Sumerian Dynasty, c.2100 bce.
Like other ziggurats, it was
climbed by sloping ramps.
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44 IN BRIEF
I WILL PASSAGE
Genesis 12:1–20:17
THEME
MAKE OF Abraham’s Covenant
SETTING
Early 2nd millennium bce
The Fertile Crescent, Canaan,
YOU A GREAT and Egypt.
KEY FIGURES
Abraham Son of Terah,
who becomes the father of
NATION all nations.
Sarah Abraham’s famously
beautiful wife.
travels toward Canaan with
GENESIS 12:2, COVENANTS Lot Abraham’s nephew, who
Abraham and Sarah.
Pharaoh Unnamed ruler
of Egypt.
he conversion of Abraham
by God is one of the most
T remarkable in the Bible.
God’s decision to reveal Himself
to this ordinary man resulted in
the emergence of three of the
world’s major religions—Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.
In Genesis 12:2, God appears
to Abraham and urges him to leave
his home and go to Canaan. In this
critical narrative of posterity,
introducing the concept of a people
chosen to deliver God’s message
of salvation, God tells Abraham: “I
will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you; I will make
your name great, and you will
be a blessing. I will bless those who
bless you, and whoever curses you
I will curse; and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
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GENESIS 45
See also: The Fall 30–35 ■ The Flood 40–41 ■ The Testing of Abraham 50–53 ■
The Ten Commandments 78–83
Abraham
Genesis
12:2–3
Noah Moses The Abrahamic Faiths
Genesis Exodus
9:11 19:5 Abraham is one of the most
The Five Great important figures in the
Covenants of religions of the Middle East
the Bible and the Western world. He
is universally recognized as
the father of the three great
monotheistic faiths: Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. To
the Jewish people, Abraham
Jesus David was the founder of Israel
Luke 2 Samuel and their first patriarch. He
22:20 7:12–17 taught them that there is only
one God and inspired their
faith with his unquestioning
obedience and unwavering
God reiterates his promise on loyalty to God.
several occasions. The basic Christians view Abraham
components always remain the as possibly the greatest
same: that Abraham’s descendants exponent of a human
will become a great nation, live in a relationship with God. They
fruitful land, be blessed, and be a believe that it is through
blessing to all the peoples of the Abraham’s descendant, Jesus,
Earth. The nation God promises is that all God’s promises are
one of generations of worshippers fulfilled. In Islam, where he is
in their own land. This is the known as “Ibrahim,” Abraham
“covenant”—binding contract—that is regarded as a great prophet
God and Abraham make. God offers whose son Ishmael, by Hagar,
became the father of the Arab
divine promises in return for the peoples and the ancestor of
continued faith of Abraham and his the Prophet Muhammad, the
descendants. The covenant is part founder of Islam. Muslims
of God’s plan of establishing a celebrate Abraham on the
nation of people free from sin. festival of Eid-al-Adha, held
in memory of Abraham’s
A 16th-century Brussels tapestry
A momentous journey dramatizes the calling of Abraham willingness to obey God’s
In a clear demonstration of his and his journey. In fact, the biblical command to sacrifice his son
faith, Abraham obeys God’s call passage mentions neither the setting (see pp. 50–53).
to leave his homeland. He is ❯❯ nor circumstances of the calling.
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46 COVENANTS
Punished by God, the repentant
Pharaoh returns Sarah to Abraham
and sends them out of Egypt. Pharaoh
permits Abraham to retain the riches
he has amassed during his stay.
(meaning “exalted father”) to
Abraham (“father of many”) in
Genesis 17. In this same chapter,
God promises Abraham a son—
Isaac—whose descendants will
found a nation named Israel. The
significance of Sarai’s name change
to Sarah is less clear. Both names
mean “princess,” but “Sarah” may
also mean “queen.”
Journey to Egypt
Abraham, Sarah, and Lot’s initial
accompanied on his great journey stay in the Promised Land is brief
Covenants in Judaism through the Fertile Crescent by his due to a famine. Along with all the
and Christianity wife Sarah, their nephew Lot, and other people of Canaan, they are
servants. They travel along a well- forced to flee to Egypt in search of
In religion, a “covenant” trodden trade route from Harran food. Concerned that Sarah’s great
denotes a formal alliance or in Mesopotamia to Egypt. beauty may attract the Egyptians’
agreement between God and Following God’s instructions, attention, and that he may be
humankind, either a religious they eventually stop at the Great murdered in order to clear the way
group such as the Israelites Tree of Moreh near a place named for a marriage, Abraham instructs
or humanity in general. The Shechem in the heart of Canaan. Sarah to tell the Egyptians that she
covenant God makes with
Abraham is fundamental to Here, God appears to Abraham is his sister.
Judaism, as it forms the basis once more and tells him that his The ruse backfires when
for the Jews being the “chosen descendants will inherit this new Pharaoh takes Sarah into his
people.” God promises to “Promised Land”—the chosen land harem. In turn, Pharaoh rewards
make Abraham the father of for God’s people. Seeing in advance Abraham for having a beautiful
a great nation and commands the rewards God has promised him, “sister” and showers him with
that his descendants must Abraham builds the first of many
obey Him. To this day, Jewish altars to his Lord (12:7).
males are circumcised when
they are eight days old as a Father of many
symbol of this covenant. At the time of their departure,
In Christianity, a covenant Abraham and Sarah are 75 and 65
has a different significance. years old respectively. Although Blessed is the nation
Christians believe that the these might appear to be very whose God is the Lord, the
New Covenant was instituted people whom He has chosen
by Christ at the Last Supper advanced ages at which to for His own inheritance.
as part of the Eucharist. establish a new nation, let alone
They believe it represents an have children, the patriarchs were Psalm 33:12
ongoing relationship between long-lived. Abraham dies at the age
God and his followers that will of 175 and Sarah at 127.
only come to full fruition with At this stage, Abraham and
the Second Coming of Christ. Sarah are referred to as Abram and
Sarai. God changes Abram’s name
US_044-047_Covenants.indd 46 21/09/17 11:26 am
GENESIS 47
is Abraham’s half-sister, as well as
his wife: “Besides, she really is my
God calls God promises to sister, the daughter of my father”
Abraham to leave his make Abraham’s (20:12). This means that Abraham’s
homeland and journey to descendants into a statement to the Egyptians can be
the land of Canaan. great nation.
construed not only as a practical
measure to ensure his survival, but
also as a half-lie, or half-truth.
A merciful God
The ambiguities in the story also
God says all God will bless those serve to show God as a benevolent,
people on earth will who bless Abraham forgiving Lord. Later in the Bible,
be blessed through and curse those who
Abraham. curse him. all kinds of noble acts are ascribed
to Abraham (see pp. 50–53), but
here he is an ordinary man, an
example of how God’s work can
be carried out through anyone.
God allows Abraham to lie to the
Abraham Egyptians in order to save his life,
God tells Abraham has faith in God but punishes Pharaoh for taking
that his descendants and builds his another man’s wife as his own.
will inherit the first altar to Abraham is allowed to retain the
Promised Land.
the Lord. riches he has accumulated because
God is gracious and lenient.
Although God does not approve
of Abraham’s actions, He will not
wealth, servants, and livestock. have long debated when Abraham rescind His promise or His blessing.
When God hears that Pharaoh has lived and what were the precise In order to understand the full
taken Abraham’s wife as his own, circumstances of his existence. impact of God’s choice of Abraham
he inflicts plague on Pharaoh and One commonly held view is as such an important representative
his household. Realizing he has that the story of Abraham’s journey on Earth, the reader must look
been lied to, Pharaoh summons to Canaan was first related in beyond his deception in Egypt
Abraham and asks him why he the early Persian period (late 6th in the broader context of the
pretended Sarah was his sister. century bce) by Jewish landowners subsequent events in his life. ■
After an angry exchange, Pharaoh defending their property in the
commands Abraham and Sarah face of Jews returning to Judah
to leave Egypt, yet he allows from their captivity in Babylon
Abraham to retain the riches he (see pp. 128–31). They were keen to
has accumulated. Leaving Egypt, trace the ownership of their lands
Abraham, Sarah, and Lot head back to their “father Abraham” to
toward the Negev. counter the land claims of the Nation will not lift up
returning exiles. sword against nation,
Traditions and meanings Many readers of Abraham’s and never again will
The biblical account of Abraham’s narrative are struck by the moral they learn war.
life is rooted in oral traditions rather ambiguity at its heart—Abraham’s Isaiah 2:4
than historical records, so no true lie that Sarah is his sister instead
biography of Abraham can be of his wife, which he tells in order
written. However, the story of to preserve his own life. As if to
Abraham’s life is so central to soften the blow of this deception,
the fabric of the Bible that scholars the story later reveals that Sarah
US_044-047_Covenants.indd 47 21/09/17 11:26 am
48
FOR THE SAKE OF
TEN MEN I WILL
NOT DESTROY IT
GENESIS 18:32, SODOM AND GOMORRAH
ike the Great Flood, in which Other biblical references
IN BRIEF God destroyed and remade to Sodom and Gomorrah
L creation, the destruction of
PASSAGE Sodom and Gomorrah is one of
Genesis 18:1–19:29
the most dramatic examples
THEME of divine punishment in the Bible.
Divine punishment It illustrates the need for human
beings both to fear God’s power
SETTING and trust in His judgment.
Around 1900 bce In Sodom In Genesis 18, Abraham is
and Gomorrah, two towns in visited by three angels in human
the Valley of Siddim, possibly form. One of them, speaking as if
near the Dead Sea. he is God, tells Abraham that He
has come to investigate reports of In Deuteronomy 29:22–23,
KEY FIGURES sinful behavior in the towns of Moses refers to the
Abraham Son of Terah and Sodom and Gomorrah. The angel— destruction of Sodom
the future father of all nations. and Gomorrah.
or God himself—indicates that if
The angels God’s messengers the “outcry against Sodom and
on Earth. Gomorrah is so great and their sin In Isaiah 13:19–22, Isaiah
so grievous” as He has heard, He warns Babylon that it
Lot Abraham’s nephew, will destroy the cities. may end like Sodom
who has settled with his The writers of Genesis then and Gomorrah.
family in Sodom. reveal the close relationship
between Abraham and God.
Lot’s wife A woman who Abraham challenges God’s plan In Ezekiel 16:48–50,
may have enjoyed living in and humbly asks, though he is God compares
the sinful city of Sodom. “nothing but dust and ashes,” Jerusalem to Sodom.
The men of Sodom whether it is right to take such
Depicted as a sinful and drastic action. While he is not
unfaithful people. prepared to resist God’s wishes, In Luke 10:12–13,
Abraham bargains with Him, Jesus cites
confident that the “judge of places that are
all earth” (18:25) will do right. more damnable.
Eventually, God agrees that He
US_048-049_Sodom_and_Gomorrah.indd 48 12/10/2017 15:01
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