Exposition of Genesis 1-11

Background on the Book of Genesis

Title, Date, and Purpose of Genesis Hebrew Title: tyviarEB., “In the beginning” Genesis covers events from creation to the death of Joseph (c. 1805 BC). Moses wrote this book to provide Israel with an account of the beginnings of the universe, as well as her own beginning as a nation. The book includes such important “beginnings” as marriage, languages, nations, sin, and worship. The title in the LXX is "Genesis"- origin, source, generation- When everything else had its beginning, God was already there. Remember, Moses original audience is on an earth already “formed and filled”; Moses is describing how it got that way, and what its initial state was.

The Overall Structure of Genesis Key Word: tdol.AT, “The generations of...” the Heavens and the Earth (2:4 – 4:26) Adam (5:1 – 6:8) Noah (6:9 – 9:27) Sons of Noah (10:1 – 11:10) Shem (11:10-26) Terah (11:27 – 25:11) Ishmael (25:12-18) Isaac (25:19 – 35:29) Esau (36:1 – 37:1) Jacob (37:2 – 50:14) This is what Moses used to outline his work. Abraham is conspicuous by his absence, but is included in the genealogy of Terah.

The Role and Structure of Gen 1-11 Genesis 1 – 11 provides the background for the initiation of God’s plan of redemption with the Abrahamic Covenant and is organized around 4 key events: Creation (Gen 1 – 2) Fall of Man and its Aftermath (Gen 3 – 4) Noah and the Flood (Gen 5 – 9) Nations (Gen 10 – 11)

The Role and Structure of Gen 1-11 Genesis 1 – 11 provides the background for the initiation of God’s plan of redemption with the Abrahamic Covenant and is organized around 4 key events: Creation (Gen 1 – 2) Fall of Man and its Aftermath (Gen 3 – 4) Noah and the Flood (Gen 5 – 9) Nations (Gen 10 – 11)

“In the Beginning...” Gen 1:1-2 There was a time when the universe did not exist (Psa 90:2; Jn 17:5, 24; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:20). If v. 2 speaks of the earth as already in existence, then v. 1 must refer to its creation! The two verses are tightly connected and are part of Day 1, not just a heading. The Hebrew verb ar"B' is used “only of God's activity and is thus a purely theological term. This distinctive use of the word is especially appropriate to the concept of creation by divine flat” (TWOT). This is the most straightforward reading of vv. 1 and 2, with no gap...it is a tight narrative all the way down the line.

Hebrew Text of Gen 1:1-3 #r<a'h' taew> ~yIm;V'h; tae ~yhil{a/ ar"B' tyviarEB. 1 x:Wrw> ~Aht. ynEP.-l[; %v,xow> Whbow" Whto ht'y>h' #r<a'h'w> 2 ~yIM'h; ynEP.-l[; tp,x,r:m. ~yhil{a/ rAa-yhiy>w: rAa yhiy> ~yhil{a/ rm,aYOw: 3 Unformed and unfilled means in its embryonic state

Repeated Words in Gen 1:3 – 2:3

Forming and Filling – Gen 1:3-23 Days 1 – 3: Forming by Separation Day 1: light from darkness Day 2: waters below from waters above Day 3: dry land from seas; vegetation “And God saw that it was good” (Gen 1:12). Days 4 – 6: Filling for Habitation Day 4: lights in the expanse for signs, seasons, days, and years Day 5: water creatures and birds Day 6: land animals and man “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen 1:31).

Creation Part II Gen 1:24 – 2:3