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There are many dozens of references to ''Genesis'' in the [[New Testament]], including direct quotations by [[Jesus]].  Many books, movies and plays (e.g., ''[[East of Eden]]'' and ''[[Hamlet]]'') draw upon Genesis and particularly its [[paradise]].  Rock groups, too, such as "[[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]" itself.

There are many dozens of references to ''Genesis'' in the [[New Testament]], including direct quotations by [[Jesus]].  Many books, movies and plays (e.g., ''[[East of Eden]]'' and ''[[Hamlet]]'') draw upon Genesis and particularly its [[paradise]].  Rock groups, too, such as "[[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]" itself.

The Hebrew word for God is plural, and the creation of man was by a plural form of God ({{bible ref|Genesis|1|26}}: "And God said, 'Let '''us''' make man in '''our''' image, after '''our''' likeness'").  The meaning of the plural form was not fully understood until the emergence of Christianity and the acceptance of the [[Holy Trinity]].<ref>http://www.bible.ca/trinity/trinity-oneness-unity-plural-nouns-pronouns-verbs-adverbs.htm</ref> The Book of Genesis also contains a wonderful Theophany of the Three Divine Persons appearing to men in visible forms, that of the Three Persons in {{bible ref|Genesis|18}}.<ref>It is said the Lord God appeared to Abraham, then that he perceived The Three Persons of the Holy Trinity as Three Men. He adored Them And yet spoke to Three Persons as to One Lord God, and thus the Holy Bible here clearly demonstrates that the Holy Trinity is One Lord God. Gen 18:1: "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,3 And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:"

The Hebrew word for God is plural, and the creation of man was by a plural form of God ({{bible ref|Genesis|1|26}}: "And God said, 'Let '''us''' make man in '''our''' image, after '''our''' likeness'").  The meaning of the plural form was not fully understood until the emergence of Christianity and the acceptance of the [[Holy Trinity]].<ref>http://www.bible.ca/trinity/trinity-oneness-unity-plural-nouns-pronouns-verbs-adverbs.htm</ref> and The Book of Genesis also contains a wonderful Theophany of the Three Divine Persons appearing to men in visible forms, that of the Three Persons in {{bible ref|Genesis|18}}.<ref>It is said the Lord God appeared to Abraham, then that he perceived The Three Persons of the Holy Trinity as Three Men. He adored Them And yet spoke to Three Persons as to One Lord God, and thus the Holy Bible here clearly demonstrates that the Holy Trinity is One Lord God. Gen 18:1: "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,3 And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:"

<br>In the Eastern Liturgies, it is commonly taken for granted that this was a Theophany (a visible manifestation of the invisible God). For e.g "God in Three Persons appeared to Abraham at the oak of Mambre, and through mercy he was given as reward for his hospitality Isaac. That God we now glorify him as God of our Fathers." Octoechos, Sunday, Tone 3, Midnight Office, Ode 7. [https://www.academia.edu/13190369/The_Early_Christian_Reception_of_Genesis_18_From_Theophany_to_Trinitarian_Symbolism]</ref>

<br>In the Eastern Liturgies, it is commonly taken for granted that this was a Theophany (a visible manifestation of the invisible God). For e.g "God in Three Persons appeared to Abraham at the oak of Mambre, and through mercy he was given as reward for his hospitality Isaac. That God we now glorify him as God of our Fathers." Octoechos, Sunday, Tone 3, Midnight Office, Ode 7. [https://www.academia.edu/13190369/The_Early_Christian_Reception_of_Genesis_18_From_Theophany_to_Trinitarian_Symbolism]</ref>

The rest of chapter 2 through to the end of chapter 4 tell the story of Adam and Eve, the [[Garden of Eden]], and Adam and Steve's sons [[Cain]], [[Abel]], and [[Seth]].

The rest of chapter 2 through to the end of chapter 4 tell the story of Adam and Eve, the [[Garden of Eden]], and Adam and Steve's sons [[Cain]], [[Abel]], and [[Seth]].

The fall of mankind into [[sin]] began when the serpent questioned one of God's commands, namely not to eat of the [[tree of knowledge of good and evil]], and convinced Eve to eat the fruit, followed by [[Adam]].  The result of disobeying this command resulted in the driving away of Adam and Eve from the Garden to live a life of subsistence farming, and eventually dying. Eve was additionally cursed with painful childbearing, and to be subservient to Adam. All of these curses were also applied to Adam and Eve's descendants.  {{bible ref|Genesis|3|15}} is cited as being the first reference to the coming [[Messiah]].

The fall of mankind into [[sin]] began when the serpent questioned one of God's commands, namely not to eat of the [[tree of knowledge of good and evil]], and convinced Eve to eat the fruit, followed by [[Adam]].  this resulted in the driving away of Adam and Eve from the Garden to live a life of subsistence farming, and eventual death. Eve was additionally cursed with painful childbearing, and to be subservient to Adam. All of these curses were also applied to Adam and Eve's descendants.  {{bible ref|Genesis|3|15}} is cited as being the first reference to the coming [[Messiah]].

Chapter 5 is a chronogenealogy from Adam to [[Noah]] and his sons.

Chapter 5 is a chronogenealogy from Adam to [[Noah]] and his sons.

The wickedness of mankind becomes so great that God 'repents' of His creation and decides to destroy it all through a [[flood]].  Only Noah is righteous before God, and He instructs Noah to build an [[Noah's Ark|ark]] to carry himself, his family, and pairs of every creature on earth and in the air.  God then destroys the earth with [[water]], the ark riding the waves until the waters abate and it comes to rest at the mountains of [[Ararat]].  God makes a promise never to destroy the earth by flood again, and shows Noah the sign of that covenant, a [[rainbow]].

The wickedness of mankind becomes so great that God 'repents' of His creation and decides to destroy it all through a [[flood]].  Only Noah is righteous before God, and He instructs Noah to build an [[Noah's Ark|ark]] to carry himself, his family, and pairs of every creature on earth and in the air.  God then destroys the earth with [[water]], the ark riding the waves until the waters abate and it comes to rest at the mountains of [[Ararat]].  God makes a promise never to destroy the earth by flood again, and shows Noah the sign of that covenant, a [[rainbow]].

Noah is also the first planter of a vineyard, and during a drunken sleep one of his sons ([[Ham (son of Noah)|Ham]]) sees him naked.  Noah awakes with the knowledge as to what he had done, and places a curse upon Ham's son Canaan, declaring that Canaan and his descendants would be slaves to his brothers [[Shem]] and [[Japheth]].  All three sons would have their names and their descendants listed on the [[Table of Nations]], which is contained in chapter 10.

Noah is also the first planter of a vineyard, and during a drunken sleep one of his sons ([[Ham (son of Noah)|Ham]]) sees him naked.  Noah awakes with the knowledge of what had been done, and places a curse upon Ham's son Canaan, declaring that Canaan and his descendants would be slaves to his brothers [[Shem]] and [[Japheth]].  All three sons would have their names and their descendants listed on the [[Table of Nations]], which is contained in chapter 10.

Some people argue that the flood account was taken from ancient Babylonian legends. This claim, however popular, is anachronistic. There are two proposed dates for the time Genesis was written, around 1440 BC and somewhere from 539 to 424 BC. The reason the claim that the Genesis flood narrative was taken from Babylonian legends is anachronistic are as follows:

Some people argue that the flood account was taken from ancient Babylonian legends. This claim, however popular, is anachronistic. There are two proposed dates for the time Genesis was written, around 1440 BC and somewhere from 539 to 424 BC. The reasons the claim that the Genesis flood narrative was taken from Babylonian legends is anachronistic are as follows:

If the older date is correct, this means that Genesis was written over eight centuries before the Hebrews made any contact with Babylon that had the potential for Babylonian influence on Hebrew writings. Since Genesis was written too early to have been affected by any Babylonian influence on Hebrew writings, it could not have been taken from Babylonian legends, and the claim that it did is an anachronism.

If the older date is correct, this means that Genesis was written over eight centuries before the Hebrews made any contact with Babylon that had the potential for Babylonian influence on Hebrew writings. Since Genesis was written too early to have been affected by any Babylonian influence on Hebrew writings, it could not have been taken from Babylonian legends, and the claim that it did is an anachronism.

Sarai, being unable to have children, tells Abram to take [[Hagar]], his [[Egypt]]ian maid, as his [[wife]]. Hagar becomes pregnant with [[Ishmael]], and God makes a promise that the child will be "a wild ass of a man, his hand against every man and every man's hand against him," with descendants beyond number.

Sarai, being unable to have children, tells Abram to take [[Hagar]], his [[Egypt]]ian maid, as his [[wife]]. Hagar becomes pregnant with [[Ishmael]], and God makes a promise that the child will be "a wild ass of a man, his hand against every man and every man's hand against him," with descendants beyond number.

God also makes a covenant with Abram: Abram will have many descendants as well as possession of the land of Canaan. Abram's name is changed to "[[Abraham]]”, and Sarai becomes "[[Sarah]]." A sign of the new covenant is the [[circumcision]] of all males. Abraham is also told that Sarah will bear a son who will be named [[Isaac]], and it is through Isaac and his descendants that the covenant will be established; although Ishmael is to be a great nation, he is left out of God’s covenant.

God also makes a covenant with Abram: Abram will have many descendants as well as possession of the land of Canaan. Abram's name is changed to "[[Abraham]]”, and Sarai becomes " [[Sarah]]. A sign of the new covenant is the [[circumcision]] of all males. Abraham is also told that Sarah will bear a son who will be named [[Isaac]], and it is through Isaac and his descendants that the covenant will be established; although Ishmael is to be a great nation, he is left out of God’s covenant.

Two [[angel]]s appeared to Abraham and told him that Sarah, barren for years, will bear a son.  They also tell him that the wickedness of the cities of [[Sodom]] and [[Gomorrah]] is very great, and God will shortly punish them.

Two [[angel]]s appeared to Abraham and told him that Sarah, barren for years, will bear a son.  They also tell him that the wickedness of the cities of [[Sodom]] and [[Gomorrah]] is very great, and God will shortly punish them.

Lot’s wife turns back to look and is turned into a pillar of salt.

Lot’s wife turns back to look and is turned into a pillar of salt.

Sarah gives birth to Isaac, and at her insistence demands that Hagar and Ishmael be driven into the wilderness. While Ishmael is near dying, an angel speaks to Hagar and promises that God will not forget them, and will make the descendants of Ishmael a great nation.

Sarah gives birth to Isaac, and at her insistence demands that Hagar and Ishmael be driven into the wilderness. While Ishmael is near death, an angel speaks to Hagar and promises that God will not forget them, and will make the descendants of Ishmael a great nation.

God puts [[Abraham]] to the test by demanding the sacrifice of Isaac. Abraham sets out to obey God by carrying out is request.

God puts [[Abraham]] to the test by demanding the sacrifice of Isaac. Abraham sets out to obey God by carrying out his request.

But just as he is about to thrust the knife into Isaac, God restrains him and promises descendants beyond numbering.  Abraham dies later, "full of years", and is laid to rest in the Tomb of Machpelah in [[Hebron]], which he had purchased shortly before as a place of rest for Sarah.

But just as he is about to thrust the knife into Isaac, God restrains him and promises descendants beyond numbering.  Abraham dies later, "full of years", and is laid to rest in the Tomb of Machpelah in [[Hebron]], which he had purchased shortly before as a place of rest for Sarah.

===Isaac and Jacob===

===Isaac and Jacob===

Isaac had prayed to God that He would give his wife [[Rebekah]] a child, even though Rebekah was unable to get [[pregnancy|pregnant]].  God grants Isaac's request, and Rebekah gives birth to the twins [[Esau]] and [[Jacob]]

Isaac had prayed to God that He would give his wife [[Rebekah]] a child, even though Rebekah was unable to get [[pregnancy|pregnant]].  God grants Isaac's request, and Rebekah gives birth to the twins [[Esau]] and [[Jacob]].

However, prior to the birth, God predicted division between the two, with the elder serving the younger.  Esau, the elder, despised his own birthright and sold it to Jacob for a bowl of red porridge, allowing Jacob to enter his father’s tent and deceitfully take the blessing intended for Esau.  He flees to [[Haran]], the home of his uncle [[Laban]].  Along the way, he has a dream of a ladder to Heaven, where God tells him of prosperity for himself and his descendants.  Jacob names the spot [[Bethel]] in commemoration.

However, prior to the birth, God predicted division between the two, with the elder serving the younger.  Esau, the elder, despised his own birthright and sold it to Jacob for a bowl of red porridge, allowing Jacob to enter his father’s tent and deceitfully take the blessing intended for Esau.  He flees to [[Haran]], the home of his uncle [[Laban]].  Along the way, he has a dream of a ladder to Heaven, where God tells him of prosperity for himself and his descendants.  Jacob names the spot [[Bethel]] in commemoration.

===Joseph===

===Joseph===

Joseph was Jacob's favorite son and was given a special colorful [[coat]], which provoked jealousy in his brothers, who were also angered by Joseph's dreams indicating his brothers would bow down before him.

Joseph was Jacob's favorite son and was given a special colorful [[coat]], which provoked jealousy in his brothers, who were also angered by Joseph's dreams indicating his brothers would bow down before him.

So his brothers took the opportunity one day to sell him into [[slavery]] and claim to a distraught Jacob that Joseph was killed by a wild animal.

So his brothers took the opportunity one day to sell him into [[slavery]] and claim to a distraught Jacob that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.

His ability to explain [[dream]]s while a slave in Egypt came to the attention of [[Pharaoh]], who was troubled by a dream of seven skinny [[cattle|cows]] and withered stalks of [[corn]] which ate seven fat cows and healthy stalks of corn.  Joseph interpreted the dream as that of Egypt going through seven years of plentiful [[harvest]]s, followed by seven years of severe [[famine]], and followed it up by recommending that Pharaoh appoint a wise man over Egypt to ensure enough is collected and stored during the plentiful years to act as a hedge against the years of famine.  Pharaoh responds by appointing Joseph himself to this position.

His ability to explain [[dream]]s while a slave in Egypt came to the attention of [[Pharaoh]], who was troubled by a dream of seven skinny [[cattle|cows]] and withered stalks of [[corn]] which ate seven fat cows and healthy stalks of corn.  Joseph interpreted the dream as that of Egypt going through seven years of plentiful [[harvest]]s, followed by seven years of severe [[famine]], and followed it up by recommending that Pharaoh appoint a wise man over Egypt to ensure enough is collected and stored during the plentiful years to act as a hedge against the years of famine.  Pharaoh responded by appointing Joseph himself to this position.

During the famine "all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth."

During the famine "all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth."

Jacob, not knowing Joseph was still alive, sent his sons to buy [[grain]] in Egypt. The brothers appeared before Joseph, but did not recognize him. Joseph however, recognized them, and after a series of tests that convinced Joseph their characters had changed, revealed himself to them, convinced them that what happened in the past was God’s plan, and told them to bring Jacob and their families to live in Egypt.

Jacob, not knowing Joseph was still alive, sent his sons to buy [[grain]] in Egypt. The brothers appeared before Joseph, but did not recognize him. Joseph, however, recognized them, and after a series of tests that convinced Joseph their characters had changed, revealed himself to them, convinced them that what happened in the past was God’s plan, and told them to bring Jacob and their families to live in Egypt.

Genesis ends with the blessing of Jacob’s children, his death, and the death of Joseph, who exhorts his brothers to carry his bones to the [[Promised Land]] when they eventually reach there.

Genesis ends with the blessing of Jacob’s children, his death, and the death of Joseph, who exhorts his brothers to carry his bones to the [[Promised Land]] when they eventually reach there.

[[File:Prophet Moses.jpg|right|thumbnail|300px|[[Moses]] lead the Israelites out of [[Egypt]].]]

[[File:Prophet Moses.jpg|right|thumbnail|300px|[[Moses]] lead the Israelites out of [[Egypt]].]]

''See also [[Genesis authorship]]''.

''See also [[Genesis authorship]]''.

<br>Biblical tradition within and without the [[Old Testament]], [[Jesus]] in the [[New Testament]], as well as extra-Biblical writers such as [[Josephus]], [[Origen]], the early church fathers and many others, have claimed [[Moses]] as the author of Genesis, written during the time of the [[Hebrew]] wanderings in the Wilderness, between 1440-1400 B.C.  Certainly, Moses was able to have written Genesis in Hebrew, [[Akkadian]], or Egyptian.  He was well-educated and trained in the Egyptian court.  [[Archaeology]] demonstrates that such a man would have had the education necessary to accomplish this during that time in history.<ref>Unger, pp. 35-35</ref>

<br>Biblical tradition within and without the [[Old Testament]], [[Jesus]] in the [[New Testament]], as well as extra-Biblical writers such as [[Josephus]], [[Origen]], the early church fathers and many others, have claimed [[Moses]] as the author of Genesis, written during the time of the [[Hebrew]] wanderings in the Wilderness, between 1440 and 1400 B.C.  Certainly, Moses was able to have written Genesis in Hebrew, [[Akkadian]], or Egyptian.  He was well-educated and trained in the Egyptian court.  [[Archaeology]] demonstrates that such a man would have had the education necessary to accomplish this during that time in history.<ref>Unger, pp. 35-35</ref>

The higher critical view is that [[Moses]] did not write Genesis.  Some biblical scholars identified five separate authors of the five "books of Moses."<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_tora.htm Who Wrote The Pentateuch, The Five Books of Moses?]</ref><ref>[http://lectionary.org/EXEG-English/OT/EOT01-Gen/Authorship-Genesis%20&%20Pentateuch.html Introduction to Genesis & the Pentateuch]</ref> This idea is called the ''Documentary Hypothesis''. Although unidentified, each of these authors has been given the name of a letter:

The higher critical view is that [[Moses]] did not write Genesis.  Some biblical scholars identified five separate authors of the five "books of Moses."<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_tora.htm Who Wrote The Pentateuch, The Five Books of Moses?]</ref><ref>[http://lectionary.org/EXEG-English/OT/EOT01-Gen/Authorship-Genesis%20&%20Pentateuch.html Introduction to Genesis & the Pentateuch]</ref> This idea is called the ''Documentary Hypothesis''. Although unidentified, each of these authors has been given the name of a letter:

Under this hypothesis, looking at the Creation story

Under this hypothesis, looking at the Creation story

* Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 were written by P.

* Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 were written by P.

* Genesis 2:4 was written by R

* Genesis 2:4 was written by R.

* Genesis 2:5 through 4:26 were written by J.

* Genesis 2:5 through 4:26 were written by J.

This idea has gained popularity among critics since it was first proposed in the late 19th century.  However, it is inevitably a product of modern rationalistic research and the application of literary criteria. Opponents of this research point to the fact that it is difficult to reconcile with the historical, miraculous, and prophetic elements which they claim to be basic to the first five books of the Bible.<ref>Unger, p. 397; Young, pp. 183-276</ref>

This idea has gained popularity among critics since it was first proposed in the late 19th century.  However, it is inevitably a product of modern rationalistic research and the application of literary criteria. Opponents of this research point to the fact that it is difficult to reconcile with the historical, miraculous, and prophetic elements which they claim to be basic to the first five books of the Bible.<ref>Unger, p. 397; Young, pp. 183-276</ref>