4. Introduction to Genesis

1
4. Introduction to Genesis

• APTS-BIB509

2
General Introduction

• Name tyvarb, gene,sewj, etc.
• The practice of naming a book by its opening
  word or words was widespread in the ancient Near
  East. Occasionally, other titles for this book
  were current among Jews, such as Sefer ha-Yashar
  (The Book of the Upright), which refers to the
  partriarchs, whose lives inform the bulk of the
  work. . . . " Sarna, JPS, xiii

3
General Introduction

• Authorship
• Moses wrote it based on direct attribution in
  legal material in the Pentateuch (Ex 24.4 30.11,
  17 33.1, 5, 29 Lev 1.1 4.1 6.1 Num 4.1 Deut
  1.1, 5 5.1 31.22, 30 33.1)
• Moses used oral and/or written sources, while
  allowing for copyists footnotes
• A work attributed to Moses
• Multiple authors and editors

4
General Introduction

• "While Genesis is an anonymous work, as are the
  other four books of the Pentateuch, its
  attributive author is Moses. However, to what
  extent he wrote any of its contents, with the
  possible exception of all or part of the Joseph
  narratives, is unknown. In attributing Mosaic
  authorship to the Pentateuch as a whole,
  conservative scholars have pointed out that the
  Torah in its entirety must not necessarily be
  assumed to have been the work of his own hands,
  any more that any of the stelae of antiquity were
  the product of direct activity

5
General Introduction

• on the part of their attributive authors. Some
  writers, such as Young, have not precluded the
  possibility that the writer drew on earlier
  written sources, but in general the ascription of
  Mosaicity to the Pentateuch implies its
  historicity and its formulation by Moses under
  divine inspiration, with the supposition that
  later editors may have revised the contents
  somewhat in accord with the traditions of the ANE
  scribes." R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the
  Old Testament, 542

6
The Text of Genesis

• 1. Proto-Masoretic the Masoretic text (MT)
• "Despite the relative lateness of the main MT
  manuscripts Leningrad B19 11th cen., it is
  universally recognized that the MT of Genesis has
  preserved a Hebrew text with remarkable fidelity
  . . . . Wenham, Genesis 1-15, Word Biblical
  Commentary, xxv

7
The Text of Genesis

• 1. Proto-Masoretic the Masoretic text (MT)
• William P. Brown has argued to that the LXX of
  Genesis 11-23 is older than the MT. Brown,
  William. Structure, Role, and Ideology in the
  Hebrew Texts of Genesis 11-23. SBL Diss. 132.
  Atlanta Scholars Press, 1993

8
The Text of Genesis

• 2. Samaritan Pentateuch (SP)
• 2.1 "The Samaritan text is slightly
  expansionistic in Genesis. In some 80 cases SAM
  is longer than MT, while it is shorter than MT in
  only 12 cases. The Septuagint is often longer in
  Genesis. Kim, 21
• 2.2 The common harmonizations of SAM and LXX are
  usually in pluses which are added either in
  accordance with a more frequently occurring
  expression or under the influence of parallel
  passages in the context. The same pertains to
  transpositions. Kim, 83

9
The Text of Genesis

• 2.3 Besides harmonization, one of the most
  distinct features of SAM in Genesis is that SAM
  contains a relatively large number of scribal
  corrections such as stylistic alterations,
  corrections of MT's difficult reading, and
  systematic alterations of the ages in the
  chronologies. Kim, 85

10
The Text of Genesis

• 3. Septuagint (LXX)
• 3.1 the Septuagint is longer than the other two
  texts in Genesis. Against the joint text of SAM
  and MT, it contains 20 long pluses and 428 short
  pluses in contrast to 8 long minuses and 148
  short minuses. the LXX also deviates in sequence
  in chapter 31 (vv. 26-27, 32-33, 47-52),
  3516-22, and 47.5-6. With regard to expansion
  and sequence, SAM is closer to MT than to LXX.
  Kim, 83

11
The Text of Genesis

• 4.1 The remains of possible twenty manuscripts
  were unearthed at Qumran itself one in Cave 1,
  one in Cave 2, perhaps as many as sixteen in Cave
  4, one in Cave 6, and one in Cave 8. In addition
  to these manuscripts from the caves to the north
  of Wadi Qumran, remains of other Dead Sea Scrols
  were also found one to the south at Masada and
  perhaps as many as three at Wadi Murabba?at.
  See The Dead Sea Scroll Bible, 3

12
The Text of Genesis

• 4.2 ". . . the use of the term text-type has some
  legitimacy for the textual criticism of Genesis.
  when we apply terminology used by New Testament
  textual critics to our limited, but statistically
  significant, sampling we can isolate at least two
  text-types in Genesis. One is represented by ?
  and the other by ? and ?, 4QGena, 4QGenb, and
  possibly 4QGenj, 4QGene, and 4QGenf are very
  fragmentary, but their preserved text are closes
  to the later text-type." Davila, Text-Type and
  Terminology Genesis and Exodus as Test Cases,
  Revue de Qumran 16 (1993), 35-36

13
(No Transcript)
14
The Text of Genesis

• 4.3 4QReworked Pentateuch It lacks the first
  twenty chapters of Genesis and follows a basic SP
  textual style.
• 4.4 The focus on Genesis in Jubilees and the
  Genesis Apocryphon, to the exclusion of almost
  the whole rest of the Pentateuch, is actually
  quite characteristic of Qumran biblical
  interpretation overall. Whatever the reason may
  be, it is the first book of the Pentateuch which
  attracts most of the attention of the Qumran
  interpreters, and beyond that, it is the first
  portions of Genesis which attract most of that
  attention. Bernstein, Pentateuchal
  Interpretation at Qumran, 137

15
The Text of Genesis

• 4.5 The first thing that strikes the eye in
  conjunction with the textual basis of Genesis in
  Qumran is that chs. 7-16 are absent from the
  manuscript tradition. . . . Chapters 20 and 21
  are also absent, as are chs. 25 and 28 and 33,
  38, 44, 46 and 50. F. H. Cryer, Genesis in
  Qumran, 105
• . . . the Genesis manuscripts in Qumran seem to
  have the character of a very 'Israelite'
  collection, as most references to foreign peoples
  or practices is lacking. Cryer, 108

16
The Text of Genesis

• 5. Targumim
• 5.1 . . . the synoptic material is not spread
  evenly across the five books of the Pentateuch.
  The largest number of expansions appears in
  Genesis, some 45 (65 of 145) of the total.
  Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy each have between
  15 and 20 of the core material while Leviticus
  contains only 4. Thus it is clear that bulk of
  the common material appears in Genesis.
  Flesher, 63

17
Theories Concerning the Structure of Genesis

• Call Theory
• Genesis is structured around the same calls (a)
  Gen 1-11 concerns the affirmation that God calls
  the world into being to be his faithful world.
  (b) Gen 12-50 concerns the affirmation that God
  calls a special people to be faithfully his
  people. Brueggemann

18
Theories Concerning the Structure of Genesis

• Toledoth and the Structure of Genesis
• 1.1-2.4 Origins of the Cosmos
• 2.5-5.2 Origins of Humanity
• 5.3-6.9a Histories of Noah
• 6.9b-10.1 Histories of the sons of Noah
• 10.2-11.10a Histories of Shem
• 11.10b-11.27a Histories of Terah

19
Theories Concerning the Structure of Genesis

• 11.27b-25.12 Histories of Ishmael
• 25.13-25.12 Histories of Isaac
• 25.19b-36.1 Histories of Esau
• 36.2-36.9 Histories of Esau
• 36.10-37.2 Histories of Jacob
• Wiseman Harrison

20
Theories Concerning the Structure of Genesis

• Kikawada Quinn, Before Abraham Was
• Prologue Primeval History 1.1-11.26
• Transition Genealogy 11.27-32
• Threat The Abraham Cycle 12.1-25.11
• Transition Genealogy 25.12-18
• Threat The Jacob Cycle 25.19-35.22b

21
Theories Concerning the Structure of Genesis

• Transition Genealogy 35.22c-36.40
• Threat The Joseph Cycle 37.1-46.7
• Transition Genealogy 46.8-27
• Resolution Settlement in Egypt 46.28-50.26

22
Outlines of Genesis

• Brueggemann
• 1.1-11.29 THE SOVEREIGN CALL OF GOD (Eph 1.9-10)
  Will God bring his creation to the unity he
  intends?
• 11.3-25.18 THE EMBRACED CALL OF GOD (Heb
  11.8,11,17,19) Will Abraham live faith?
• 25.19-36.43 THE CONFLICTED CALL OF GOD (1 Cor
  1.27-29) Will the younger rule the older?
• 37.1-50.26 THE HIDDEN CALL OF GOD (Rom 8.28-30)
  Will the dreamer keep his dream?

23
Outlines of Genesis

• Wenham
• 1.1-2.3 Prologue
• 2.4-4.26 History of heaven and earth
• 5.1-6.8 Family History of Adam
• 6.9-9.26 Family History of Noah
• 10.1-11.9 Family History of Noah's sons
• 11.10-26 Family History of Shem

24
Outlines of Genesis

• 11.27-25.11 Family History of Terah
• 25.12-18 Family History of Ishmael
• 25.19-35.29 Family History of Isaac
• 36.1-37.1 Family History of Esau
• 37.2-50.26 Family History of Jacob

25
Kikawada Quinn's Atrahasis and Gen 1-11
Parallel Outline

• A. Creation (1.1-2.3)
• Summary of work of God
• Creation of man
• B. First Threat (2.4-3.24)
• Genealogy of heaven and earth
• Adam and Eve

26
Kikawada Quinn's Atrahasis and Gen 1-11
Parallel Outline

• C. Second Threat (4.1-4.26)
• Cain and Abel
• 1. Cain and Able, genealogy
• 2. Lamech's taunt (in genealogy)
• D. Final Threat (5.1-9.29)
• Genealogy
• Noah's Flood, Salvation in ark

27
Kikawada Quinn's Atrahasis and Gen 1-11
Parallel Outline

• E. Resolution (10.1-11.32)
• Genealogy
• Tower of Babel and Dispersion Genealogy, Abram
  leaves Ur

28
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Primeval History

• A Creation, Gods Words to Adam (1.1-3.24)
• B Adams Sons (4.1-16)
• C Technological Development of Mankind
  (4.17-26)
• D Ten Generations from Adam to Noah
  (5.1-32)
• E Downfall The Nephilim (6.1-8)
• A Flood, Gods Words to Noah (6.9-9.17)
• B Noahs Sons (9.18-29)
• C Ethnic Development of Mankind (10.1-32)
• E Downfall Tower of Babel (11.1-9)
• D Ten Generations from Noah to Terah
  (11.10-26)

29
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Abraham Cycle

• A Genealogy of Terah (11.27-32)
• B Start of Abrams Spiritual Odyssey (12.1-9)
• C Sarai in foreign palace ordeal ends in peace
  and success Abram and Lot part (12.10-13.18)
• D Abram comes to the rescue of Sodom and
  Lot (14.1-24)
• E Covenant with Abram Annunciation of Ishmael
  (15.1-16.16)

30
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Abraham Cycle

• E Covenant with Abraham Annunciation of Isaac
  (17.1-18.15)
• D Abraham comes to rescue of Sodom and Lot
  (18.16-19.38)
• C Sarah in foreign palace ordeal ends in peace
  and success Abraham and Ishmael part
  (20.1-21.34)
• B Climax of Abrahams Spiritual Odyssey
  (22.1-19)
• A Genealogy of Nahor (22.20-24)

31
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Jacob Cycle

• A Oracle sought, struggle in childbirth, Jacob
  born (25.19-34)
• B Interlude Rebekah in foreign palace, pact with
  foreigners (26.1-34)
• C Jacob fears Esau and flees (27.1-28.9)
• D Messengers (28.10-22)
• E Arrival at Haran (29.1-30)
• F Jacobs wives are fertile (29.31-30.24)

32
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Jacob Cycle

• F Jacobs flocks are fertile (30.25-43)
• E Flight from Haran (31.1-54)
• D Messengers (32.1-32)
• C Jacob returns and fears Esau (33.1-20)
• B Interlude Dinah in foreign palace, pact with
  foreigners (34.1-31)
• A Oracle fulfilled, struggle in childbirth,
  Jacob becomes Israel (35.1-22)

33
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Linking Material

• A Death and Burial of Sarah (23.1-20)
• B Marriage of Isaac (24.1-67)
• C Abrahams sons (25.1-6)
• D Death and burial of Abraham (25.7-11)
• E Ishmaels sons (25.12-18)

34
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Linking Material

• A ----
• C Jacobs sons (35.23-26)
• D Death and burial of Isaac (35.27-29)
• B Marriages of Esau (36.1-5)
• E Esaus sons (36.6-43)

35
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Joseph Story

• A Joseph and his brothers, Jacob and Joseph part
  (37.1-36)
• B Interlude Joseph not present (38.1-30)
• C Reversal Joseph guilty, Potiphars wife
  innocent (39.1-23)
• D Joseph hero of Egypt (40.1-41.57)
• E Two trips to Egypt (42.1-43.34)
• F Final test (44.1-34)

36
Gary A.Rendsburg, The Redaction of Genesis The
Joseph Story

• F Conclusion of Test (45.1-28)
• E Two tellings of migration to Egypt
  (46.1-47.12)
• D Joseph here of Egypt (47.13-27)
• C Reversal Ephraim firstborn, Manasseh
  second-born (47.28-48.22)
• B Interlude Joseph nominally present (49.1-28)
• A Joseph and his brothers, Jacob and Joseph part
  (49.29-50.26)

37
The Purpose of the Book of Genesis

• "The function of Genesis as a book of the Bible
  is to take those who read it and those who hear
  its message to the things of the beginning.
  Westermann

38
The Purpose of Genesis 1-11

• Von Rad understands the purpose of these
  chapters to have been first determined by the
  Yahwist, who portrayed a history of increasing
  alienation from God. Starting with the expulsion
  from the Garden of Eden, sin expanded and grew,
  resulting in the murder of Abel, the illicit
  marriage of the angels and the flood. This
  history of sin reached its climax in the Tower of
  Babel which threatened to return the creation
  into a chaos. The key to von Rad's
  Heilsgeschichtliche interpretation lies in the
  call of Abraham (12.1-3). Childs, IOTS, 154

39
The Purpose of Genesis 1-11

• The key to von Rad's Heilsgeschichtliche
  interpretation lies in the call of Abraham
  (12.1-3). The election of Israel provides the
  perspective from which this universal history of
  divine judgment and mercy toward human sinfulness
  is viewed in Genesis. It provides the major
  theological Genesis by linking Israel's
  redemptive history to world history. Childs,
  IOTS, 154

40
The Purpose of Genesis 1-11

• "Westermann...does not believe that Gen 1-11
  should be subordinated to the patriarchal
  traditions of chs 12ff. but sharply distinguished
  in order to do justice to the integrity of the
  primeval history. Westermann stresses that these
  chapters do not move on the horizontal plane of
  history, but rather portray a vertical God-man
  dimension. They treat the universal reality of
  human existence which is not tied to a specific
  time or culture. Childs, IOTS, 154-155

41
The Purpose of Genesis 1-11

• Further, he makes the significant point that
  the biblical writers of chs. 1-11 have adopted
  texts which arose in the world outside of Israel
  and do not stem from the experience of Israel
  with Yahweh. He connect the theory that a growth
  of sin is intended, but argues for seeing only a
  portrayal of the variety and scope of the
  alienation. Finally, Westermann claims that the
  purpose of chs. 1-3 is not to portray a primeval
  age of innocence - there is no "fall" for
  Westermann - but rather to deal with the issue of
  human existence in its frailty and limitation."
  Childs, IOTS, 154-155

42
The Purpose of Genesis 12-36

• Promises
• Land, Children, Relationship with God and
  Blessing
• The God of the Fathers (Siteless, Personal, The
  One Who Blesses)
• Genealogy
• Genealogies are used in antiquity to legitimize
  royal dynasties and political claims of others.
  Here the genealogies focus on the birth of
  children that become carriers of the promise.

43
The Purpose of Genesis 37-50

• The Joseph Narratives function as a literary
  device to line the ancestral promises to the
  Exodus Narratives See George Coats, From Canaan
  to Egypt and Martin Noth, The Pentateuchal
  Traditions
• G. von Rad a literary unit written in the
  Solomonic period, (10th CE) to teach about the
  hidden rule of God in the lives of people and
  nations.