10667 The Book of Genesis

Credits: 6 intermediate credits in Bible

Prerequisites: none

Author: Shamai Gelander

The course acquaints the student with the narratives and major concepts of the book of Genesis, as well as their biblical and ancient Near Eastern parallels. The implied social background of the stories is discussed against the historical realities. The topics are examined through the spectrum of the different streams in interpretation and research in the book of Genesis.

Topics: The book of Genesis – structure, content and composition; Biblical and ancient Near Eastern creation stories; The creation stories in Genesis 1-3; The primeval history in Genesis 4-11; The genealogies in Genesis; The historical background of the patriarchal narrative; The religion of the patriarchs; The Abraham cycle; The Isaac traditions; The Jacob cycle; The Joseph story; Narrative art in the book of Genesis.