The very first book of the Bible, and the name Genesis means ‘beginnings’. It is referred to as the seed plot of the Bible, because in it are found the foundations of many truths of the Bible.
1. Author
Apart from the Jewish tradition supporting the Mosaic authorship, the NT also affirms it, telling us that he received the living oracles directly from God Lk.24:27, Jn.7:22 -23, Acts 7:37 – 38.
2. Outline
A. Earth History Ch.1-11
- Creation of the heavens and earth Ch.1:1-25
- Creation of the human race Ch.1:26-2:25
- Sin entering the world Ch.3.1:-7
- First promise of redemption Ch.3:8-24
- First family Ch.4:1-15
- First godless civilisation Ch.4:16-5:32
- The flood Ch.6-9
- The origin of nations & languages of the world Ch.10-11
B. Patriarchal history ch.12-50
- Abraham Ch.12-25:10
- Isaac ch.21-35
- Jacob Ch. 25-50
- Joseph Ch.37-50
Notes
a. Natural Division
In the book of Genesis we have the phrase ‘ this is the generation of …’ and this divides the book up naturally.
- These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth Gen. 2:4
- This is the book of the generations of Adam. Gen. 5:1
- These are the generations of Noah: Gen.6:9
- Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Gen. 10:1
- These are the generations of Shem: Gen.11:10
- Now these are the generations of Terah: Gen.11:27
- Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Gen. 25:12
- Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. Gen. 36:1
- And these are the generations of Esau: Gen.36:9
- These are the generations of Jacob. Gen.37:2