Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Welcome & Prayer

Genesis Series — Not every single verse, but every major pericope

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About Genesis

Meaning: Genesis means beginning, generations or birth.

The English title “Genesis” is derived from Jerome’s Vulgate, Liber Genesis.

This Latin name followed the Greek (LXX) title, which was likely taken from , where a form of genesis (“source, birth, generation”) renders the Hebrew tōlĕdōt.

The Hebrew title bĕrēšît, “in the beginning,” is based on the custom of titling a book in the Pentateuch by its opening word(s).

The first book of the Hebrew canon and introduces the first division, known as the Torah (“law”).

This division is the first of the tripartite Hebrew arrangement: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings (; ).

bĕrēšît,

Mark Water says, “Genesis presents the beginning of everything—except for God.”

Universe ()

Man and woman ()

The Sabbath ()

Marriage ()

Sin ()

Sacrifice and salvation (, )

Family ()

Civilization ()

Government ()

Nations ()

Israel ()

Author: Moses

No where in Genesis does it identify its author.

The NT refers to it as being of Moses, or the Law of Moses (; ).

The Jews quoted from the Torah as coming from Moses, and Jesus did not contradict them.

Some internal OT references that refer to Moses as the author: ; ; and .

The rest of the OT bears witness: David referred to the “law of Moses” (), in the time of Josiah there was found in the temple the “book of the law of the Lord given through Moses” (), and even Ezra read from the “book of the law of God” referred to earlier as “the book of the law of Moses” (; ).

The NT refers to it as being of Moses, or the Law of Moses (; ).

The Jews quoted from the Torah as coming from Moses, and Jesus did not contradict them.

Jewish tradition ascribes it to Moses.

Early church fathers __________?

Audience: The People of Israel

Perhaps during his years in Egypt

Date of Writing: 1450-1410 BC

Based on biblical data, Moses must be placed in the 15th century BC (; ).

Some scholars lean toward a 13th century date.

Theme: To explain the beginning of mankind, our sinful nature, and God’s plan for redemption.

One of the main themes seen in Genesis is God’s divine election.

Key Verses:

Structure of Genesis

The beginnings of the human race (1:1-11:9)

Creation

The Fall

The Flood

The Tower of Babel

The beginnings of the Hebrew race (11:10-50:26)

Abraham

Isaac

Isaac

Jacob

Jacob

Joseph

D. Joseph

Toledot Structure

The major literary device in the book is the genealogical rubric: “This is the account of...” (these are the generations of: tōlĕdōt.

This phrase is used to introduce a list of descendants or a tribal genealogy, both inside and outside of Genesis.

tōlĕdōt

Following the tōlĕdōt phrases, the book provides its own structure in 12 sections:

Section I

Creation of Heaven and Earth (1:1–2:3)

Section II

The Toledot of Earth’s Family (2:4–4:26)

Section III

The Toledot of Adam’s Line (5:1–6:8)

Section IV

The Toledot of Noah (6:9–9:29)

Section V

The Toledot of Noah’s Sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth (10:1–11:9)

Section VI

The Toledot of Shem (11:10–26)

Section VII

The Toledot of Terah: Abraham (11:27–25:11)

Section VIII

The Toledot of Ishmael (25:12–18)

Section IX

The Toledot of Isaac: Jacob (25:19–35:29)

Section X

The Toledot of Esau and Family (36:1–8)

Section XI

The Toledot of Esau (36:9–37:1)

Section XII

The Toledot of Jacob: Joseph (37:2–50:26)

Creation of Heaven and Earth ()

The Toledot of Earth’s Family ()

The Toledot of Adam’s Line ()

In 10 generations, it runs from Adam through Seth to Noah.

The Toledot of Noah ()

The Toledot of Noah’s Sons ()

The Toledot of Shem ()

The Toledot of Terah: Abraham ()

The Toledot of Ishmael ()

The Toledot of Isaac: Jacob ()

The Toledot of Esau and Family ()

The Toledot of Esau ()

The Toledot of Jacob: Joseph ()

In Genesis we see . . .

1.

The beginning of the world (1:1-25)