Genesis Introduction
Union Church Bible Study
Genesis Introduction
In the beginning God created
the heaven and the earth.
Genesis Introduction
Introduction
to the study of
Genesis is an
introduction
to the study of
the Torah
Torah
The Torah is the Hebrew
name for the first 5 books
of the Bible:
1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy
Torah
“To take aim”
Truth
The true teachings of God
Torah is from the
Hebrew root word
Yarah. It is an archery
term to take aim
A literaral translation
would be “the true
teachings of God”
pointing us in the right
direction, or the bulls
eye.
Torah doesn’t mean law.
Sin
Sin
Missed
Error
Torah vs. Chata
Chata is another
archery term and
means to miss the
mark, or to miss the
bulls eye. It is
translated in the
scripture as sin.
To sin is simply to
miss the mark.
Tanakh
Hebrews had three separately defined groups
of scriptures:
1. Torah (that given to Moses on Mt. Sinai)
2. Nevi’im (meaning Prophets)
3. K’tuvim (meaning Writings)
Today, what we Christians call the OT, Jews call
The Tanakh. Tanakh is an invented word: it takes
the T from Torah, the N from Nevi’im, and the K
from K’tuvim adds a couple of vowel sounds and
presto… …Tanakh.
Torah
Many say the Torah or Law has
been superseded by the New
Testament, or that the Torah has
been eclipsed by the cross.
Sadly, in many congregations it is said
that the Torah is dead.
That is like saying the teachings
of God are dead
Mark Twain
“The report of
my death was an
exaggeration.”
Mark Twain
May 1897
Mark Twain
“The report of my death
was an exaggeration.”
Mark Twain - May 1897
The report of the
death of the Torah has
been greatly
exaggerated!
John 5:46-47
46For
had ye believed Moses,
ye would have believed me:
for he wrote of me. 47But if ye
believe not his writings, how
shall ye believe my words?
• “if you believed Moses” is an idiom
meaning “if you believed the Torah”
• Torah is Full of references to the
coming Messiah
• If we don’t start at the beginning, how
can we comprehend anything?
Psalm of David
Then said I, Lo, I come:
in the volume of the
book it is written of me,
Psalm 40:7
Emmaus Road
And beginning at Moses
and all the prophets, he
expounded unto them in all
the scriptures the things
concerning himself.
Luke 24:27
Emmaus Road
And they said one to
another, Did not our heart
burn within us, while he
talked with us by the way,
and while he opened to us
the scriptures?
Luke 24:32
Book of Genesis
There can scarcely be another part
of Scripture over which so many
battles, theological, scientific,
historical and literary, have been
fought, or so many strong opinions
cherished.
Derek Kidner
There are really only two ways to
understand origins.
1. You’re here by chance!
A person can see everything as the product of
random chance, result of a cosmic accident,
operating in an impersonal universe.
2. You’re here by design!
A person can see everything as the result of a
deliberate design by a Designer, the craftsmanlike work of a Person.
Basic Questions
Who am I ?
Where did I come from ?
Why am I here ?
What am I suppose to do here ?
Where am I going when I die ?
Basic Questions - Answers
Answers to Basic Questions
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive
glory and honour and power: for
thou hast created all things, and for
thy pleasure they are and were
created.
Revelation 4:11
Answers to Basic Questions
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive
glory and honour and power: for
thou hast created all things, and for
thy pleasure they are and were
created.
Revelation 4:11
Genesis
The book has its name from the
title it bears in the Septuagint,
(Genesis 2:4), which signifies the
book of the Generation; but it is
called in Hebrew 
Beresith , “In the beginning,”
from its initial word.
Genesis
Who Wrote Genesis and the Pentateuch?
Author: Moses
The lawgiver and leader of Israel during
the exodus and wilderness wanderings.
Genesis
Documentary Hypothesis
(Graf-Wellhousen Hypothesis)
Compiled by later editors?
- J Jehovahist, Yahwist
- E Elohist
- D Deuteronomic source
- P Priestly source
- J1, J2, E1, E2, P1, P2, K, L, N, S…..
Written without any compelling historical,
linguistic, or textual evidence.
Genesis
Nachmanides: It is likely that Moses wrote
it on Mount Siani for there it was said to
him,
Come up to Me unto the
mount, and be there; and I
will give thee the tablets of
stone and the Torah and the
commandment which I have
written, to teach them.
Ex 24:12
Commentaries
In this study we will refer to the following to aid in our
understanding.
1. The Book of Enoch. We will use the Modern English
Translation of the Ethiopian Book of Enoch. The Book
of Enoch is quoted in Jude 14 from Enoch 1:9.
2. The Book of Jasher, Jasher is quoted or referred to in
Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18.
3. Ramban, Commentary on the Torah, This is a
commentary on the Torah by Rabbi Moshe ben
Nachman, also known as Nachmanides.
Genesis 1:1
‫ָָּארץ׃‬
ֶ ‫ש ַמי ִׁם ואֵת ה‬
ָּ ‫ ֵראשִׁית ב ָָּּרא אֱֹלהִׁים אֵת ַה‬b
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Nachmanides 1194 - 1270
Genesis Contains Accounts of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the creation of the world
its first inhabitants
the original innocence and fall of man
the rise of religion
the invention of arts
the general corruption and degeneracy of mankind
the universal deluge
the repeopling and division of the earth
the origin of nations and kingdoms
and a particular history of the patriarchs from
Adam down to the death of Joseph; including a
space, at the lowest computation, of 2369 years.
Genesis anticipates all false
philosophies:
• Atheism (Genesis says the world was created by God)
• Pantheism (Genesis says God is transcendent and
distinguishable)
• Polytheism (Genesis says there is One God)
• Materialism (Genesis says that matter had a beginning)
• Humanism (Genesis says that God, not man, is the
ultimate reality)
• Evolutionism (Genesis says “God created”)
• Uniformism (Genesis says God intervenes in His
creation)
All major doctrines have
their roots in Genesis:
• Sovereign election
• Disciplinary
• Divine Incarnation
• Salvation
• Rapture of the Church
• Justification by faith
• Believer’s
• Death and Resurrection
• Security
• Palestinian Covenant
• Separation chastisement
• The Antichrist
• Priesthoods (Aaronic and Melchizedek)
Golden Rule of Biblical interpretation:
Dr. David L. Cooper, Hebrew Scholar
“When the plain sense of Scripture makes
common sense, seek no other sense; therefore,
take every word at its primary, ordinary,
usual literal meaning unless the facts of the
immediate context, studied in the light of
related passages and axiomatic and
fundamental truths, indicate clearly
otherwise”
David L. Cooper, The God Of Israel (Las Angeles; Biblical Research
Society, 1945) front page.
William Tyndale:
“Thou shalt understand, therefore, that
the Scripture hath but one sense, which is
the literal sense. And that literal sense is
the root and ground of all, and the anchor
that never faileth, whereunto if thou
cleave, thou canst never err or go out of
the way. And if thou leave the literal
sense, thou canst not but to go out of the
way”
(William Tyndale, quoted by Pentecost op. cit., p27)
William Tyndale (1494-1536)
People in the Bible who read the Bible
translate it literally
In the first year of his reign I Daniel
understood by books the number of the
years, whereof the word of the LORD
came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he
would accomplish seventy years in the
desolations of Jerusalem.
(Dan 9:2)
The Holy Spirit shall teach you all things
(Jn 16:13).
You don’t have to believe people, you can do your
homework. (Acts 17:11).
The Presuppositions:
God means what He says and says what He means.
The Bible is an integrated whole. Every detail is
there by design (Mt 5:17,18).
Nothing is trivial: All things for our learning (Rom
15:4).
God is His own interpreter.
THE LAW OF FIRST MENTION
The Law of First Mention may be
said to be the principle that requires
one to go to that portion of the
Scriptures where a word or doctrine is
mentioned for the first time and to
study the first occurrence of the same
in order to possibly get a fundamental
inherent and significant meaning of
that word or doctrine.
Why Study the Book of Genesis?
It is the Book of Beginnings
(Law of First Mention):
• Creation
• Murder
• Man
• Sin
• Woman
• Sacrifice
• Sabbath
• Grace
• Marriage
• Agriculture
• Home
• City life
• Childhood
• Races
• Trade
• Languages
• Chosen people
…etc.
Misquote of Ben Franklin
“Jack of all trades, master of none”
“Jack of all trades, master of One.”
A cultured person is one who knows
Something about everything
Everything about something.
A Christian’s specialization
must be the Bible.
Three Levels of Bible Interpretation
1. Primary Interpretation
2. Practical Application
3. Prophetic Implication
Jewish Rabbis Teach Four
Levels of Interpretation
Peshat The Simple Level
Remez The Hint Level
Drosh
The Regal Level
Sohd
The Hidden Level
The Principal Discovery
Job
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel,
1 & 2 Kings
1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah
Esther
Psalms
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes
Isaiah
Jeremiah, Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Minor Prophets
Matthew
Luke
John, 1,2, 3 John, Revelation
Mark, 1, 2 Peter
14 epistles
James
Jude
66 books
?
Moses
?
Samuel
?
Ezra
?
David +
Solomon +
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Daniel
The 12
Matthew
Luke
John
Peter
Paul
James
Jude
40 +
~2000 years
Geometry of Eternity
Eternity
Past
Present
Future
t
Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty
One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is Holy; I dwell in
the high and holy place, with
him also that is of a contrite and
humble spirit, to revive the spirit
of the humble, and to revive the
heart of the contrite ones.
Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty
One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is Holy; I dwell in
the high and holy place, with
him also that is of a contrite and
humble spirit, to revive the spirit
of the humble, and to revive the
heart of the contrite ones.
Hidden Codes in the Bible?
It is the glory of God to
conceal a thing: but it is the
honor of kings to search out
a matter.
Proverbs 25:2
Hidden Codes in the Bible?
The secrets of the
Torah are revealed ...
in the skipping of the letters.
Rabbi Moses Cordevaro, 16th century
Equidistant
Letter
Sequence?
“Equidistant Letter Sequence?”
Rips explained
a
d that
h
R
e
t each
e is a case
code
of
c
o adding
d
e
every fourth letter to
form a word.
Read the code
Genesis
`#r,a'h' taew> ~yIm;V'h; tae ~yhil{a/ ar'B' tyviareB.
ynEP.-l[; tp,x,r;m. ~yhil{a/ x;Wrw> ~Aht. ynEP.-l[; %v,xow> Whbow" Whto
ht'y>h' #r,a'h'w>
49 Letters:
`rAa-yhiy>w: rAa yhiy> ~yhil{a/ rm,aYOw: `~yIM'h;
49 Letters:
`%v,xoh; !ybeW rAah' !yBe ~yhil{a/ lDeb.Y:w: bAj-yKi rAah'-ta, ~yhil{a/ ar.Y:w:
@ `dx'a, ~Ay rq,bo-yhiy>w: br,[,-yhiy>w: hl'y>l' ar'q' %v,xol;w> ~Ay rAal' ~yhil{a/
ar'q.Yiw
49 Letters:
hr wt
= TORH
Exodus
`WaB' AtybeW vyai bqo[]y: tae hm'y>r'c.mi ~yaiB'h; laer'f.yI ynEB. tAmv. hL,aew>
49 Letters:
`hd'WhywI ywIle !A[m.vi !beWar.
`!miy"n>b.W !luWbz> rk'XF'yI
49 Letters:
`rvea'w> dG" yliT'p.n:w> !D'
`~yIr'c.mib.
hy"h' @seAyw> vp,n" ~y[ib.vi bqo[]y:-%r,y< yaec.yO vp,n<-lK' yhiy>w:
49 Letters:
`aWhh; rADh; lkow> wyx'a,-lk'w> @seAy tm'Y"w:
h r w t = TORH
Numbers
hn"V'B; ynIVeh; vd,xol; dx'a,B. d[eAm lh,aoB. yn:ysi rB;d.miB. hv,mo-la, hw"hy> rBed;y>w:
`rmoale ~yIr;c.mi #r,a,me ~t'acel. tynIVeh;
tAmve rP;s.miB. ~t'boa] tybel. ~t'xoP.v.mil. laer'f.yI-ynEB. td;[]-lK' varo-ta, Waf
`~t'l{G>l.gUl. rk'z"-lK'
hT'a; ~t'aob.cil. ~t'ao Wdq.p.Ti laer'f.yIB. ab'c' aceyO-lK' hl'[.m;w" hn"v' ~yrif.[, !B,mi
`!roh]a;w>
t w r h = HROT
Deuteronomy
`rmoale taZOh; hr'ATh;-ta, raeBe hv,mo lyaiAh ba'Am #r,a,B. !Der.Y:h; rb,[eB.
`hZ<h; rh'B' tb,v, ~k,l'-br; rmoale brexoB. Wnyleae rB,Di Wnyhel{a/ hw"hy>
bg<N<b;W hl'peV.b;W rh'b' hb'r'[]B' wyn"kev.-lK'-la,w> yrimoa/h' rh; WaboW ~k,l' W[s.W WnP.
`tr'P.-rh;n> ldoG"h; rh'N"h;-d[; !Anb'L.h;w> ynI[]n:K.h; #r,a, ~Y"h; @Axb.W
hw"hy> [B;v.nI rv,a] #r,a'h'-ta, Wvr.W WaBo #r,a'h'-ta, ~k,ynEp.li yTit;n" haer.
`~h,yrex]a; ~['r.z:l.W ~h,l' ttel' bqo[]y:l.W qx'c.yIl. ~h'r'b.a;l. ~k,yteboa]l;
t w r h = HROT
Torah Codes
49 (72) letter sequences:
Genesis
TORH
Exodus
TORH
Leviticus
?
Numbers
HROT
Deuteronomy HROT
Leviticus
Intervals of 7:
`rmoale d[eAm lh,aome wyl'ae hw"hy> rBed;y>w: hv,mo- la,ar'q.YIw:
hwh y
= YHWH
The Torah Always Points to
YHWH
Genesis
Exodus
hrwt
hrwt
TORH
TORH
Leviticus
hwhy
YHWH
Numbers Deuteronomy
twrh
twrh
HROT
HROT
The Torah was written by Moses approximately 3,500
years ago. Many of the names that are encoded in the
first chapter of Genesis were placed there long before
each person was born. Thus far, I have found over six
thousand encoded words in the first chapter, which
includes about 2,000 Biblical names of persons who
are mentioned in the plain reading of the Scriptures at
various places in the Bible. Only the supernatural Mind
of God could have foreseen the future generations,
their names, and the time they would appear on the
scene. Not only are many of their names encoded, but
certain, undeniable facts about their lives and
relationships with others of their time are meticulously
embedded in the written Word.
Yacov and Yaphah Rambsel
Mark 15:9
But Pilate answered
them, saying, Will ye that
I release unto you the
King of the Jews?
John 19:15
But they cried out, Away
with him, away with him,
crucify him. Pilate saith
unto them, Shall I crucify
your King? The chief
priests answered, We have
no king but Caesar.
John 19:19
And Pilate wrote a title,
and put it on the cross.
And the writing was,
JESUS OF NAZARETH THE
KING OF THE JEWS.
Pilate’s Epitaph
HaYehudim
v Melech
HaNazarei
Yeshua
John 19:21
Then said the chief
priests of the Jews to
Pilate, Write not, The
King of the Jews; but
that he said, I am King
of the Jews.
The End ?
The
Beginning!