The first book in the Bible; it is the narrative account of beginnings—of the world, of the community of Israel , of faith. It is a theological statement, claiming that all real beginnings are wrought by the purpose and speech of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Content The beginnings concern the theological ground of the created world and the origin of Israel among the peoples of the world. Gen. 1-11 is a collection of materials presenting a particular notion of the character of the cosmos. It is clear that while Israel borrows and utilizes the common deposit of ancient Near Eastern traditions in this material, Israel has shaped these appropriated materials to make a particular statement about the character of the world in relation to God. This statement does not concern scientific origins. It asserts that the world is formed by, accountable to, and destined for Yahweh's purposes but is recalcitrant, refusing to be God's obedient creature. The narrative concerns...