Abschnittsübersicht

    • 6.1 Overview

      • Genesis: Literary, historical and theological introduction

    • 6.2 Comment

      Genesis is the first book of the Pentateuch. Its first part (Gen 1–11) is called the Primeval History. It tells the story about the very beginnings of the world and the humankind, both being God’s creation. The second part (Gen 12–50) is called the Patriarchal Narratives, since it contains the stories about the ancient fathers (patriarchs) of the people of Israel: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons. The patriarchal narratives can be understood as forming the prologue to the history of the people of Israel.

    • 6.3 Literature for individual study

      Rendtorff, The Old Testament, 6–10, 77–88, 132–139.

      6.4 For further reading

      Kaminsky and Lohr, The Hebrew Bible for Beginners, 55–64.

    • 6. 5 Biblical texts for the final exam

      Students are expected to have read the whole book of Genesis. However, emphasis during the exam will be on the following sections:

      Gen 1-3 (creation, the human fall)

      Gen 6:5–9:17 (the Flood)

      Gen 12:1–3 (Abram’s call)

      Gen 15 (Lord’s covenant with Abram)

      Gen 18:1–15 (Epiphany at Mamre)

      Gen 22:1–19 (God testing Abraham)

      Gen 28:10–22 (Epiphany in Bethel)

      Gen 32:23–33 (Jacob wrestling at Jabok)

      Gen 37 (Joseph sold to Egypt)

      Gen 45:1–13 (Joseph meets with his brothers)

      Gen 50:15–31 (Joseph reconciles with his brothers)

      6.6 Verifying comprehension

      1. What is the overall structure of Genesis? What is the content of its main parts?
      2. Compare two creation accounts in Genesis? What are the differences, what are the common motifs? What are traditionally the original literary sources behind these two versions of creation story?
      3. The idea of humans being created in God’s image is expressed in: (choose the correct answer(s)):

        a) Gen 1:26–27 b) Gen 2:7 c) Gen 3:17–19 d) Gen 5:1

      4. What is the content of the covenant between God and the humankind after the Flood (Gen 9:8–17)?
      5. What were the promises given by the Lord to Abram on his call (Gen 12:1–3)?
      6.  In Gen 15 we read about the special covenant ritual concerning God and Abram. What is the specific content of the covenant, what promises or predictions does it contain, and what are the aspects of the ritual?
      7. What was Sarah’s reaction with regard to the announcement of her giving birth to Abraham’s son in her old age?
      8. Where in Genesis do we read about the land of Moriah?
      9. What was the content of Jacob’s dream vision and audition in Bethel? What was Jacob’s reaction?
      10. When wrestling with the Unknown at Jabok, Jacob asks for two thing. Which are they?
      11. What are two reasons for hatred of Joseph’s brothers towards Joseph according to Gen 37?
      12. What is the theological explanation of brotherly conflict provided by Joseph (see Gen 45:1–15; 50:15–21)?

    • 6.7 Enjoying biblical interpretation

      Read the following chapter on the story of Cain and Abel by the British biblical scholar Walter Moberly (Durham). Write three ideas you have found most important. Write a question or a critical point with regard to the main argument of Moberly's interpretation.

      Moberly, R. W. L. “Genesis 4: Cain and Abel.” In The Theology of the Book of Genesis, 88–101. Old Testament Theology. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009.


    • Moberly, R. W. L. “Genesis 4: Cain and Abel.” Datei
    • Genesis - outline Datei