Exposition of Exposition of Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11

Gen 1:1-23Gen 1:1-23

Background on the Book Background on the Book of Genesisof Genesis

Title, Date, and Purpose of GenesisTitle, 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 Overall Structure of GenesisThe 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)

The Role and Structure of The Role and Structure of Gen 1-11Gen 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 The Role and Structure of Gen 1-11Gen 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...”In the Beginning...”Gen 1:1-2Gen 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).

Hebrew Text of Gen 1:1-3Hebrew 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

Repeated Words in Gen 1:3 – 2:3Repeated Words in Gen 1:3 – 2:3

Forming and Filling – Gen 1:3-23Forming 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).

CreationCreationPart IIPart II

Gen 1:24 – 2:3Gen 1:24 – 2:3