Understanding Genesis

The World of the Bible in the Light of History

Look inside
"This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant, and hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity...It is based on the belief that the study of the Book of Books must constitute a mature intellectual challenge, an exposure to the expanding universe of scientific biblical scholarship...Far from presenting a threat to faith, a challenge to the intellect may reinforce faith and purify it."--from the Introduction

"In the recent literature on Genesis this is the most comprehensive and careful interpretation of the Bible's initial book in light of the extra biblical sources bearing upon it, and as such, is to be highly recommended."
--George M. Landes, Journal of Biblical Literature

"An insightful classic that retains its vitality.  A front-rank scholar and teacher has poured a lifetime of learning into this outstanding commentary."
--Hershel Shanks

Contents

1. Creation
2. The Flood
3. The Tower of Babel
4. The Patriarchal Period
5. From Mesopotamia to Canaan
6. The Battle of Kings
7. The Covenant
8. Sodom and Gomorrah
9. The Birth of Isaac and the Akedah
10. Winding Up Affairs
11. Jacob and Esau
12. Jacob and Laban
13. Joseph

Key to abbreviations
NAHUM M. SARNA is Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies at Brandeis University. Author of Understanding Genesis and On the Book of Psalms, he is an editor and translator of the Jewish Publication Society's translation of the Bible. View titles by Nahum M. Sarna

About

"This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant, and hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity...It is based on the belief that the study of the Book of Books must constitute a mature intellectual challenge, an exposure to the expanding universe of scientific biblical scholarship...Far from presenting a threat to faith, a challenge to the intellect may reinforce faith and purify it."--from the Introduction

"In the recent literature on Genesis this is the most comprehensive and careful interpretation of the Bible's initial book in light of the extra biblical sources bearing upon it, and as such, is to be highly recommended."
--George M. Landes, Journal of Biblical Literature

"An insightful classic that retains its vitality.  A front-rank scholar and teacher has poured a lifetime of learning into this outstanding commentary."
--Hershel Shanks

Contents

1. Creation
2. The Flood
3. The Tower of Babel
4. The Patriarchal Period
5. From Mesopotamia to Canaan
6. The Battle of Kings
7. The Covenant
8. Sodom and Gomorrah
9. The Birth of Isaac and the Akedah
10. Winding Up Affairs
11. Jacob and Esau
12. Jacob and Laban
13. Joseph

Key to abbreviations

Author

NAHUM M. SARNA is Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies at Brandeis University. Author of Understanding Genesis and On the Book of Psalms, he is an editor and translator of the Jewish Publication Society's translation of the Bible. View titles by Nahum M. Sarna

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