The Cambridge Companion to Genesis

Essays explaining diverse methods and reading strategies, providing a dependable guide to understanding the Book of Genesis.

Bill T. Arnold (Edited by)

9781108423755, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 May 2022

400 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 2.4 cm, 0.71 kg

The Cambridge Companion to Genesis explores the first book of the Bible, the book that serves as the foundation for the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures. Recognizing its unique position in world history, the history of religions, as well as biblical and theological studies, the volume summarizes key developments in Biblical scholarship since the Enlightenment, while offering an overview of the diverse methods and reading strategies that are currently applied to the reading of Genesis. It also explores questions that, in some cases, have been explored for centuries. Written by an international team of scholars whose essays were specially commissioned, the Companion provides a multi-disciplinary update of all relevant issues related to the interpretation of Genesis. Whether the reader is taking the first step on the path or continuing a research journey, this volume will illuminate the role of Genesis in world religions, theology, philosophy, and critical biblical scholarship.

1. Introduction: Genesis and the status quaestionis Bill T. Arnold
Part 1. Composition and Structure of Genesis
2. Genesis in the history of critical scholarship Jean Louis Ska
3. Genesis in source and redaction criticism Today Jan Christian Gertz
4. Genesis in form and tradition criticism today Christoph Levin
5. Rhetorical features and characteristics Michaela Bauks
Part 2. Social World of Genesis
6. Genesis and its ancient literary analogues Alice Mandell
7. Genesis and the conceptual world of the ancient near east John H. Walton
8. Family, clan, and tribe in the book of Genesis Naomi A. Steinberg
9. Women's status and feminist readings of Genesis Sarah Shectman
Part 3. Themes and Literary Motifs of Genesis
10. From Imago to Imagines: The image(s) of God in Genesis Brent A. Strawn
11. Genesis, science, and theories of origins Jitse M. van der Meer
12. Genesis and ethics Eckart Otto
13. Genesis and the problem of evil: Philosophical musings on the Bible's first book Paul M. Gould
Part 4. Reception history of Genesis
14. Modern philosophical receptions of Genesis Frederick D. Aquino
15. Jewish reflections on universalism and particularism in Genesis Joel S. Kaminsky
16. Before Moses: Genesis among the Christians Iain Provan.

Subject Areas: Theology [HRLB], Judaism [HRJ], Bible readings, selections & meditations [HRCG9], Biblical commentaries [HRCG1], Old Testaments [HRCF1], History of religion [HRAX]