Pentateuch

The word Pentateuch comes from the Greek word used in Septuagint Version meaning "five volumes."

Genesis to Deuteronomy.

1. Authorship

a. Though each book of the Pentateuch does not bear the signature of Moses, nevertheless several important parts are definitely ascribed to him (Exod. 24:4; Deut. 31:9, 24-26).

b. Later books of the Old Testament often speak of Moses as the author of the Pentateuch. Remember that the Jews spoke of all five of these books as "the Law." (For Mosaic authorship see Josh. 1:7, 8; I Kings 2:3; II Chron. 34:14; Neh. 8:1, 14; 13:1).

c. The New Testament likewise ascribes the Pentateuch to Moses (Luke 24:27, 44; John 1:45; 5:45-47; Acts 28:23). Against these references the claims of destructive critics of the Bible, which state that Moses did not write the Pentateuch but that it was written by various writers some long time after the time of Moses, are of no importance.

GENESIS

I. Author

Written by Moses (see Introductory notes on Pentateuch).

II. Recipients

Not specifically stated but presented originally to the people of Israel.

III. Date

About 1440 B.C. Of events covered; about 2400 years (from the creation of man to the death of Joseph.) Chapters 1-11 cover about 2000 years; 12-50 about 400 years.

IV. Purpose of the Book

1. To furnish an account of the beginning of all things—of the universe (1:1); of man (1:26, 27); of the Sabbath (2:2, 3); marriage (2:21-24); sin (3:1-7); sacrifice (3:21; 4:1-7); nations (10:32); governments (9:6)

2. Especially to show the origin of the nation of Israel as God's peculiar people from whom the Redeemer would come.

V. Theme

The title is a Greek word meaning "origin"; so this is the book of origins or beginnings. Here we find the revelation of the one Almighty God who is all-powerful and all-wise, and of His relationship to the origin of the world, to man, to sin, to salvation. Genesis provides us, so to speak, the first chapter in the history of redemption and lays the groundwork for the rest of the Bible. It shows us that "God has to do with man; man has to do with God" (G. Campbell Morgan).

VI. Key Verse: Genesis 12:1-3

Key Word: generations—19 times; traces the chosen line of the woman's Seed (Genesis 3:15).

Outline of Genesis

After the Creation record in the first chapter, the book largely revolves around the biographies of six men. Though there is some overlapping, the lives of these men make a convenient way of dividing the book.

I. Creation (Ch. 1)

1:1–The original creation

1:2–Earth in chaotic state

1:3-31–Earth brought into its present condition in six creative days

II. Adam (Chs. 2-5)

Ch. 2–Adam and Eve created, placed in Garden of Eden and given a commandment about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil

Ch. 3–The temptation and Fall

Ch. 4–Cain murders Abel; descendants of the godless Cain; Seth is born

Ch. 5–From Adam and Seth to Noah

III. Noah (Chs. 6-11)

Ch. 6-8–The Flood

Ch. 9–The Covenant with Noah and his sons; Noah's prophetic blessing of his sons

Ch. 10–Beginning of the nations

Ch. 11–Men dispersed; the beginning of languages; the family of Shem to Abraham

IV. Abraham (Chs. 12-23)

Ch. 12–The call of Abraham

Ch. 13–Abraham separates from Lot

Ch. 14–Abraham delivers Lot and is blessed by Melchizedek

Ch. 15–God renews and enlarges the covenant with Abraham

Ch. 16–A misstep, the birth of Ishmael

Ch. 17–Covenant confirmed and circumcision established as "a token of the covenant"

Ch. 18–Abraham pleads for Sodom

Ch. 19–Sodom destroyed but Lot rescued

Ch. 20–Abraham's faith falters at Gerar (as at Egypt 12:10-20)

Ch. 21–Birth of Isaac

Ch. 22–Offering of Isaac (Type of Christ)

Ch. 23–Death of Sarah

V. Isaac (Chs. 24-27)

Ch. 24–A bride secured for Isaac. (An illustration of Christ and the Church)

Ch. 25–Abraham's closing days and the birth of Isaac's twin sons, Esau and Jacob

Ch. 26–The covenant confirmed to Isaac

Ch. 27–Isaac gives the blessing intended for Esau to Jacob

VI. Jacob (Chs. 28-36)

Ch. 28–God speaks to Jacob at Bethel renewing the covenant

Ch. 29–Jacob marries Leah and Rachel, working seven years for each. Four sons born of Leah

Ch. 30–Seven sons and a daughter born to Jacob by his two wives and two concubines

Ch. 31–Jacob, commanded by God to return home, flees from Laban

Ch. 32–God wrestles with Jacob and he is changed to Israel

Ch. 33–Jacob and Esau reconciled

Ch. 34–Jacob's daughter seduced and two sons become murderers to avenge her

Ch. 35–Jacob returns to Bethel and has communion with God there; Rachel dies at time of Benjamin's birth; Isaac dies

Ch. 36–Esau's family—the Edomites

VII. Joseph (Chs. 37-50)

Ch. 37–Sold into slavery by his wicked brothers

Ch. 38–lJudah's immorality; his sons

Ch. 39–Joseph becomes Potiphar's slave and is cast into prison because of the false accusation of Potiphar's wife

Ch. 40–Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's butler and baker

Ch. 41–Joseph interprets Pharaoh's prophetic dream and is exalted to high position

Ch. 42–Joseph's brethren buy grain but do not recognize him; he arrests Simeon but allows the others to go back home

Ch. 43–They return the second time with Benjamin

Ch. 44–Joseph threatens to enslave Benjamin, and Judah pleads for...