08 In the Beginning: The Book of Genesis Flashcards
Genesis: a prologue to the story of Israel’s formation narrated in the remaining four volumes of the Pentateuch
YHWH/Elohim, the God of Israel, as the creator of the universe
Israel’s history in a cosmic context
Genesis 1: God initially appears as a transcendent, distant Being who speaks the world into existence
Genesis 2: as immanent, stooping to mold the first human out of clay
The composite nature of Genesis
two very different versions of creation and human origins
The theory of multiple sources
a priestly composition (Gen. 1:1–2:4a)
(Gen. 2:4b–3:24)
Yahwist (J).
Elohistic (E)
E: only in fragments
E: first appears in the cycle of stories about Abraham, most prominently in Genesis 20–22
J: commonly emphasizes the role of women
Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Tamar, and Potiphar’s wife
J: typically evokes Yahweh’s immanence
E: tends to stress Elohim’s use of intermediaries—angels, dreams, and visions
Next to the Yahwist, the priestly school (P) makes the largest contribution to Genesis.
P: the first creation account (Gen1)
P: the longest description of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 17)
P: known for the genealogies that tie together the various narrative segments, impose a schematic order
highly symmetrical format
ten generations between Adam and Noah (Gen. 5)
ten generations between Noah and Abraham (Gen. 11)
Genealogy: the proliferation of humanity, in obedience to a divine command (Gen. 1:28; cf. Gen. 9:1), can be expressed in an orderly pattern.
The Primeval History–Or a story?
CREATION: THE PRIESTLY ACCOUNT
Pentateuch concentrates on YHWH’s special relationship with Israel. Genesis begins with accounts of creation and human origins, giving a universal perspective
Genesis begins with accounts of creation and human origins, giving a universal perspective.
