The Book of Genesis Overview – Part 1 of 2
The title Genesis comes from the Greek translation (the Septuagint) and means ‘origin, source, creation’, whereas the Hebrew title (taken from the book’s opening words) is ‘In the beginning’. Both titles aptly suggest the book’s subject-matter, for it describes the origins of the universe, the world, mankind, human institutions (such as marriage), the nations and, above all, the people of Israel. God’s creative work in bringing all these things into being is focused in Genesis.
Another title, now more rarely used, is ‘The First Book of Moses’. This title highlights the fact that Genesis is the first part of a five-volume work, traditionally ascribed to Moses, otherwise called the Law or the Pentateuch. Genesis puts the lawgiving at Sinai (the subject-matter of Exodus to Deuteronomy) into historical perspective and provides a theological key to the interpretation of the laws and stories contained in those books.
Carson, D. A.: New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA : Inter-Varsity Press, 1994
