The Book of Genesis tells the story of the creation of the universe (Genesis 1—2), the origins of human societies (Genesis 2—11), and the formation of a special community set apart by God (Genesis 12—50). This epic story is told from the perspective of the religious leadership of the nation of Israel, leadership that consisted almost exclusively of men. Women’s voices were few, and where they appear in the narrative they are filtered through the voice of the male narrator.
This chapter surveys the literature found in Genesis and briefly address a few elements of the historical background for the narrative.
- Prehistory (Genesis 1—11)
- Origins of the People of God (Genesis 12—36)
- The Joseph Cycle (Genesis 37—50)
- Concluding Summary