It appears to be the first in a series of studies on books of the Bible, examining their composition and reception in depth, or at least it is hoped to be so. These twenty-nine remarkable essays expand ordinary topics to include interpretations of textual transmission and the history of the book's reception, the beginning of critical reading, historical content, and literary analysis. They also cover the formation of primeval history, God and the first family, the Jacob tradition, Joseph and wisdom, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Genesis in the New Testament, the Vulgate, Genesis in rabbinical interrogation and Jewish thought, and Genesis and ecology. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Written by leading experts in the field, The Book of Genesis: Composition, Reception, and Interpretation offers a wide-ranging treatment of the main aspects of Genesis study. Its twenty-nine essays fall under four main sections. The first section contains studies of a more general nature, including the history of Genesis in critical study, Genesis in literary and historical study, as well as the function of Genesis in the Pentateuch. In the second portion, scholars present commentary on or interpretation of specific passages (or sections) of Genesis, as well as essays on its formation, genres, and themes. The third part includes essays on the textual history and reception of Genesis in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The final section explores the theologies of the book of Genesis, including essays on Genesis and ecology and Genesis in the context of Jewish thought.
