1. The Primeval Narratives Origin Stories Before the history of the Hebrews

2. Cycles What happens repeatedly in almost each of the 4 primeval narratives? What happens repeatedly in almost each of the 4 primeval narratives? Adam & Eve in the Garden Adam & Eve in the Garden Cain & Abel Cain & Abel People in Noah’s day People in Noah’s day Babel Babel

3. Cycles Things are good Things are good People do evil People do evil God punishes God punishes People remember God and change, making things good again. People remember God and change, making things good again.

4. What are we to know about God? What does God (what do the writers want us to think that God) dislikes? What does God (what do the writers want us to think that God) dislikes? How does God punish? How does God punish? What are the effects of God’s punishment? What are the effects of God’s punishment? Look for other parallels between the stories. Look for other parallels between the stories.

5. The Fall: beginning of death & mortality Talking animals (staple of global folklore) Talking animals (staple of global folklore) Serpent not called evil, but “subtle” and “crafty.” Serpent not called evil, but “subtle” and “crafty.” Questions the way God runs things. Questions the way God runs things. It knows what God knows. It knows what God knows. Effects of human disobedience are immediate and deeply painful. Effects of human disobedience are immediate and deeply painful. Sexual knowledge is realized as part of sin. Sexual knowledge is realized as part of sin. Line is drawn between the immortal and mortal. Line is drawn between the immortal and mortal. God is still compassionate: makes clothes (first sacrifice. First shedding of blood) God is still compassionate: makes clothes (first sacrifice. First shedding of blood)

7. Hugo van der Goes Hugo van der Goes The Fall of Man 1470’s The Fall of Man 1470’s Iris symbolizes purity Iris symbolizes purity Serpent is female temptress Serpent is female temptress

8. Titian Adam & Eve: 1550 Titian Adam & Eve: 1550 Serpent is child Serpent is child Fox symbolizes evil, cunning, sensuality Fox symbolizes evil, cunning, sensuality Is Adam lusting or trying to stop Eve Is Adam lusting or trying to stop Eve Adam is on the right, is he in the right? Adam is on the right, is he in the right?

9. Jan Brueghel the Elder with Peter Paul Rubens, The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man, c. 1615 Jan Brueghel the Elder with Peter Paul Rubens, The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man, c. 1615 Notice grapes above Adam & monkey behind him Notice grapes above Adam & monkey behind him

10. Cain & Abel: the first murder Cain is produced with the help of Yahweh. Cain is produced with the help of Yahweh. Sibling rivalry theme resurfaces later. Sibling rivalry theme resurfaces later. Does God prefers the younger child? Does God prefers the younger child? Cain: “an offering of the fruit of the ground” (Gen 4:3) Cain: “an offering of the fruit of the ground” (Gen 4:3) Abel: “the firstlings of his flock, the fat portions” (Gen 4:4) Abel: “the firstlings of his flock, the fat portions” (Gen 4:4) How does God treat Cain? How does God treat Cain?

13. Noah: A new start Composed of J & P sources interwoven Composed of J & P sources interwoven God expresses profound sorrow (6:5-6) God expresses profound sorrow (6:5-6) Earth returns to a pre-creation state when “darkness covered the face of the deep” (1:2)(7:11) Earth returns to a pre-creation state when “darkness covered the face of the deep” (1:2)(7:11) Full of ironies. Full of terror, annihilation, compassion, hope. Full of ironies. Full of terror, annihilation, compassion, hope. Noachan covenant. Rainbow is a symbol. (9: 8- 17) Noachan covenant. Rainbow is a symbol. (9: 8- 17)

14. The Sons of Noah disperse and fill the land.

15. H:\Bible images\Floo d\20_colette _isabella_le s_animaux_ entrent_dan s.jpg H:\Bible images\Floo d\20_colette _isabella_le s_animaux_ entrent_dan s.jpg H:\Bible images\Floo d\20_colette _isabella_le s_animaux_ entrent_dan s.jpg H:\Bible images\Floo d\20_colette _isabella_le s_animaux_ entrent_dan s.jpg

21. Babel: the last straw An etiology (story explaining how something originated) An etiology (story explaining how something originated) Themes of human ambition and divine retribution Themes of human ambition and divine retribution Furthers man’s isolation from the divine Furthers man’s isolation from the divine

25. Reading for next week Genesis 12-22: Origins of the Hebrews Genesis 12-22: Origins of the Hebrews Where did they come from? Where did they come from? Why did God call Abraham? Why did God call Abraham? What did God promise Abraham? What did God promise Abraham? What kind of person is Abraham? What kind of person is Abraham?