Lessons from the book of Genesis
What is the purpose of the book of Genesis in the Bible? Why was it written? And why was it included in the Bible? What are the main lessons in it, both for the original readers and for us today?
When was it written? The book of Genesis was compiled and edited by Moses (Lk. 24:27; Acts 15:1) between 1446 B.C. (the date of the Exodus) and 1406 B.C. (the death of Moses). A likely possibility is during the year that Israel spent encamped in the wilderness at Sinai when Moses probably composed most, if not all, of the Books of Exodus and Leviticus. Such an assumption would place the date of composition of Genesis between 1446 and 1445 B.C.
Although the immediate recipients of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible) were the Israelites travelling from Egypt to Canaan, it was also written for their descendants (Dt. 29:14-15).
The historical-cultural context. This was when the Israelites were travelling through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan. They had miraculously escaped from Egypt and entered into a covenant relationship with the God who had created the universe. They were monotheistic while the people of Egypt and Canaan were polytheistic. Idol worship and sexual immorality were prevalent in Canaanite society.
The Israelites lived in tents, amongst tribes and kept animals. It was after the times of Abraham, but before the times of the Israelite judges and kings. Ch 1-38 reflect aspects of the culture of Mesopotamia and chapters 39-50 reflect aspects of the culture of Egypt.
In order to occupy Canaan, the Israelites needed to conquer their enemies while remaining true to God. The first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch) were written by Moses for that purpose. The first of those books, Genesis, is the book of origins. He wanted them to know that God was behind all their history, that He was the prime mover who had brought them to where they were. Since the God who had created the universe and had promised the land of Canaan to their ancestor, Abraham, was with them, they could trust Him to fulfill His promise, if they only would obey Him.
The literary context. What genre or type is it? In the Old Testament there is narrative (story), law, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom. The book of Genesis is a historical narrative. Some claim that Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 is poetic, but it lacks the parallelism of Hebrew poetry.
“Some discount that Genesis is history, claiming instead that it was a polemic (a strong attack or defence of an opinion, person, idea, or set of beliefs) against paganism. However, it is not written like other biblical polemics. Also, it’s likely that the pagan myths, such as Enuma Elish, were written after the original source documents of Genesis” (Sarfati, 2015). See Appendix.
The text. The events recorded in Genesis span from the creation of the world until the death of Joseph. These are summarized in the detailed outline below.
Main lessons. Genesis is a book of beginnings. Also, it is the foundation of the Bible. The main lessons for us in Genesis are listed below alongside the detailed outline.
| Detailed outline of Genesis | Lessons in Genesis |
| God’s perfect creation 1-2 | God is a creator |
| The six days of creation 1:1 – 2:3 1:1-5 Day 1 Heavens, earth and light 1:6-8 Day 2 Earth’s atmosphere 1:9-13 Day 3 Land and seas and plants 1:14-19 Day 4 Sun, moon and stars 1:20-23 Day 5 Aquatic and aviary animals 1:24-31 Day 6 Land animals and mankind 2:1-3 Day 7 God “rested” |
God is eternal – He has no beginning or cause Nature is not divine (Pantheism) Nature didn’t create itself (Atheism) Origin of: laws of nature, mathematics and science; time, energy/matter There is only one God (Monotheism) God created the universe in six days People were made in the image of God The original animals and people were vegetarian |
| Additional details of creation: The creation of Adam and Eve 2:4-25 2:4-6 Before the creation of Adam 2:7 Creation of Adam 2:8-17 The Garden of Eden and its forbidden fruit 2:18-20 Adam was alone 2:21-25 Creation of Eve and institution of marriage |
Adam and Eve had intelligence, language and speech Origin of marriage Marriage is between one male and one female (monogamy – not homosexual and not polygamy) At marriage a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife |
| God’s judgment of sin 3-11 | God is a ruler and judge People are sinful (rebellious) Sin us our greatest problem |
| The original creation ruined by sin and judged by the flood 3:1 – 8:19 | God judges sin (disobedience and rebellion) |
| The first sin and its consequences 3:1-5 The serpent tempted Eve 3:6 The fall into sin – Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit 3:7 Adam and Eve made clothes of fig leaves 3:8-13 God confronted Adam and Eve 3:14-19 God sentenced Adam, Eve, Satan and the snake – 3:14 Snakes cursed – 3:15 Satan cursed – 3:16 Eve cursed – 3:17-19 Adam cursed 3:20-24 Other consequences, including expulsion from the Garden of Eden |
God tested humanity’s obedience Satan is a deceiver and liar Origin of sin against God Sin is possible in a perfect environment because it comes from within us Our sin has consequences for us and others Origin of judgment Suffering is a consequence of sin Physical death is a consequence of sin Origin of the promise of the coming of the Savior (God’s plan for dealing with sin) |
| Cain and Abel – more sin 4:1-24 4:1-2 Their birth 4:3-7 Their offerings to God 4:8 Cain murdered Abel 4:9-16 Cain cursed by God 4:17-24 Cain’s descendants (Lamech was the 7th generation on earth) |
Origin of children Origin of sacrifices Origin of murder Origin of civilization Revenge is a characteristic of the ungodly |
| Godly offspring – Seth’s descendants – a chronogenealogy 4:25 – 5:32 4:25-26 Seth replaces Abel 5:1-5 Adam 5:6-8 Seth 5:9-11 Enosh 5:12-14 Kenan 5:15-17 Mahalalel 5:18-20 Jared 5:21-24 Enoch 5:25-27 Methuselah 5:28-31 Lamech 5:32 Noah, father of Shem (Noah was the 10th generation on earth) |
Adam was created about 4,000 B.C. There was a longer lifespan before the flood (the decline in longevity was probably caused by the genetic bottleneck at the flood) |
| Gross sin and its consequences 6:1-6 6:1-6 The wickedness of humanity 6:7 God decides to destroy His creation |
Eventually, God punishes sinners |
| The great flood – God’s judgment for the wickedness of humanity 6:9 – 9:29 6:8-12 Only Noah was godly 6:13-22 The ark (a barge) commissioned to save Noah’s family and living creatures 7:1-10 Boarding the ark 7:11-16 The flood begins 7:17-24 Rising flood water 8:1-14 Receding flood water 8:15-19 Noah’s family and living creatures leave the ark |
There was a great flood about 2,350 B.C. Only those who obeyed God survived the flood Those who disobeyed God, died in the flood As God used Noah to save the human race, He also used Jesus to save people from being punished for their sins The origin of sedimentary rook layers, fossil fuels and fossil graveyards |
| The repopulation of the earth ruined by sin and judged by scattering 8:20 – 11:9 | Human beings are inherently sinful |
| A new beginning 8:20 – 9:19 8:20-22 Noah worshiped God and God promised not to curse the ground nor destroy all life 9:1-7 New commands from God 9:8-17 God promised not to destroy the earth by flood, signified by the rainbow (Noahic covenant) 9:18-19 Repopulation of the earth through Noah’s sons |
Meat was now added to the human diet Origin of human government Capital punishment was endorsed by God Origin of Noahic covenant The rainbow is a reminder of God’s mercy |
| The seeds of rebellion 9:20-29 9:20-23 Noah’s drunkenness 9:24-29 The consequences of Noah’s sin. Canaan and Ham cursed. |
Sin occurs amongst God’s people Our sin has consequences for us and others |
| The table of nations 10:1-32 10:1 Introduction statement regarding the offspring of Noah’s three sons 10:2-5 Descendants of Japheth 10:6-20 Descendants of Ham 10:21-31 Descendants of Shem 10:32 Summary statement about repopulation of the earth through Noah’s sons |
This part of the Bible is real history, not mythical stories |
| The tower of Babel – more rebellion against God 11:1-9 11:1-4 People congregate together rather than scatter across the earth 11:5-9 God’s judgment is to scatter them across the earth by the disunity between different languages |
The ungodly rebel against God The origin of different languages The origin of different human “races” (people groups) We are not greater than God |
| God’s unconditional covenant of blessing by election through faith 11:10 – 50:26 | God is a promise maker & a promise keeper God kept His promises to the Israelites Origin of God’s divine election of persons The power of trusting God People are sinful (rebellious) |
| God’s elective blessing of Abraham 11:10 – 25:18 | |
| Shem’s descendants – a chronogenealogy 11:10-11 Shem 11:12-13 Arphaxad 11:14-15 Shelah 11:16-17 Eber 11:18-19 Peleg (earth divided through different languages) 11:20-21 Reu 11:22-23 Serug 11:24-25 Nahor 11:26 Terah 11:26 Abram (Abraham was the 20th generation on earth) |
Ancient middle eastern culture placed a priority on the firstborn son, but God’s choice was often different. The tower of Babel was about 2250 B.C. |
| Life of Abraham 12:1 – 25:11 11:27-32 Terah’s family 12:1-9 Abram follows the call to move from Mesopotamia to Canaan. God’s promises to Abram 12:10-20 Abram’s lapse of faith. He deceives Pharaoh in Egypt 13:1-13 Abraham and Lot separate – Lot moves to Sodom 13:14-18 God renews His promise to Abram of the land of Canaan and numerous descendants 14:1-12 The capture of Sodom and Lot by a four-king Persian confederation 14:13-16 Abram rescues Lot and the Sodomites 14:17-20 Melchizedek’s priestly blessing of God and Abram 14:20 Abram’s tithe to God through Melchizedek 14:21-24 Abram’s refusal of remuneration from the king of Sodom 15:1-6 God promised Abram numerous descendants 15:7-20 God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants unconditionally via a covenant 16:1-6 The conception of Ishmael 16:7-16 Hagar fled from Sarai but an angel gave her a promise and told her to go back. 17:1-8 God confirmed that His promises to Abraham (name changed) were conditional on obedience 17:9-14 Male circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant 17:15-22 Abraham and Sarah (name changed) were promised a son named Isaac 17:23-27 All the males in Abraham’s household was circumcised promptly 18:1-8 Abraham’s hospitality to three visitors 18:9-15 God promised Sarah a son within 12 months 18:16-21 God tells Abraham that He intends to judge Sodom for their wickedness 16:22-33 Abraham pleaded for Sodom 19:1-3 Lot is hospitable to two angels 19:4-11 Lot’s confrontation with the men of Sodom 19:12-22 The angels rescue Lot’s family from Sodom 19:23-29 God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah 19:30-38 Lot’s tragic incest 20:1-7 Abraham deceives the king of the Philistines about Sarah and he takes Sarah as a wife 20:8-18 Abimelech’s divinely-motivated restoration of Sarah to Abraham |
Origin of the Jewish nation If the Jews were obedient, they would form God’s special nation, Israel. Sin occurs amongst God’s people Lying only leads to more problems People reveal their true selves by the choices they make Worldliness is dangerous Origin of tithing Origin of Abrahamic covenant – Royal land grant (an everlasting commitment) Origin of Abrahamic covenant – Suzerain-vassal (blessing conditional on obedience) Origin of Hebrew male circumcision The godly should be hospitable God warns the godly when judgment is coming God answers prayer. Sin occurs amongst God’s people |
| Isaac and further tests of faith 21:1 – 25:11 21:1-7 The birth of Isaac 21:8-14 The expulsion of Ishmael and Hagan from Abraham’s family 21:15-21 God protects Ishmael in the desert 21:22-34 Abraham’s treaty with the Philistines 22:1-2 God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (as a test) 22:3-10 Abraham attempts to sacrifice Isaac 22:11-14 God provides a substitutionary sacrifice 22:15-19 God renews His promises to Abraham – he passed the test 22:20-24 The 12 children of Nahor 23:1-2 Sarah dies 23:3-20 Abraham purchases a family burial site – Sarah’s burial 24:1-9 Abraham seeks a godly wife for Isaac 24:10-14 Guidance requested through a sign 24:15-27 Rebekah fulfils the sign 24:28-49 Bethuel and Laban hear the reason for the visit 24:50-61 Rebekah leaves her family 24:62-67 Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah 25:1-11 Abraham’s death |
God keeps His promises Don’t make promises that you don’t intend to keep God cares for the needy God provided a ram to sacrifice, like God provided Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for human sin Don’t marry an unbeliever At marriage a woman leaves her father and mother and is united to her husband. |
| Ishmael’s descendants 25:12-18 25:12-18 Ishmael’s descendants |
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| God’s elective blessing of Isaac and Jacob 25:19 – 28:9 | |
| Isaac’s family 25:19 – 26:35 25:19-26 Birth of Esau and Jacob 25:27-34 Esau foolishly sells his birthright to Jacob 26:1-6 God renews His promises to Isaac 26:7-11 Isaac deceives the king of the Philistines about Sarah (like Abraham) 26:12-17 Isaac expelled by the Philistines who envied his success 26:18-22 Disputes over water rights 26:23-25 God’s promises repeated to Isaac 26:26-33 Peace treaty between Isaac and the Philistines 26:34-35 Esau’s Hittite wives |
It’s a great loss to despise a godly heritage God keeps His promise |
| Jacob and the emergence of Israel 27:1 – 28:9 27:1-4 Isaac planned to give his blessing to Esau 27:5-17 Rebekah plans for Jacob to receive the blessing instead 27:18-29 Isaac is deceived to give the blessing to Jacob 27:30-41 Isaac gives a secondary blessing to the enraged Esau 27:42-45 Rebekah’s plan to protect Jacob from Esau by fleeing to Mesopotamia 27:46 – 28:5 Isaac sends Jacob to Mesopotamia to seek a godly wife 28:6-9 Esau’s belated attempt to secure a wife with relative integrity |
God’s choice can go against human or cultural choice
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| God’s elective blessing of Jacob more than Esau 28:10 – 36:43 | |
| 28:10-15 Jacob’s dream – God’s promises are repeated 28:16-22 Jacob’s conditional vow to serve God and to tithe 29:1-12 Jacob meets Rachel at Paddan Aram 29:13-20 Jacob agrees to serve Laban for seven years to marry Rachel 29:21-30 Jacob deceived into marrying Leah and works another seven years for Rachel Jacob’s children: – 29:31-35 Leah has Reuben, Simeon and Levi. Rachel was unable to conceive. – 30:1-8 Bilhah (Rachel’s servant) has Dan and Naphtali – 30:9-13 Zilpah (Leah’s servant) has Gad and Asher – 30:14-21 Leah has Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah – 30:22-24 Rachel has Joseph 30:25-36 Jacob desired to return to his homeland. Laban allows Jacob to build up his own herds 30:37-43 Jacob prospers and outdoes Laban when his flocks increase 31:1-16 Jacob prepares to flee to Canaan from Laban 31:17-21 Jacob flees from Laban towards Canaan 31:22-24 Laban’s pursuit 31:25-30 Laban’s accusations 31:31-35 The search for Laban’s household gods 31:36-42 Jacob’s angry protest of innocence 31:43-55 Treaty between Jacob and Laban 32:1-2 Jacob meets angels 32:3-8 Jacob fears Esau after sending messengers to him 32:9-12 Jacob prays for protection from Esau 32:13-21 Jacob selects gifts for Esau 32:22-32 Jacob wrestles with God. His name is changed to Israel. 33:1-17 Jacob (Israel) meets Esau 33:18-20 Jacob (Israel) settles near Shechem and sets up an altar |
The deceiver is deceived himself!
Origin of the twelve (12) tribes of Israel The Bible reports polygamy, but doesn’t endorse it Rachel brings idolatry to Canaan Origin of the name Israel God keeps His promises |
| Massacre at Shechem by Simeon and Levi 34:1-31 34:1-7 Dinah raped by Shechem 34:4:8-12 Intermarriage proposed by Shechem’s father Hamor 34:13-17 Male circumcision proposed by Jacob’s (Israel’s) sons 34:18-24 The men of Shechem agreed to be circumcised 34:25-31 Simeon and Levi kill all the men of Shechem in revenge |
Friendship with the ungodly can be a danger to the godly Intermarriage with the ungodly is a danger to the godly They ran ahead of God’s judgment on the Canaanites |
| God’s covenant renewed with Jacob at Bethel 35:1-15 35:1-5 Jacob (Israel) buried their idols and leaves Shechem 35:6-8 Jacob (Israel) settles in Bethel and builds an altar to God 35:9-15 God renews His promises to Jacob (Israel) at Bethel |
Idolatry was a constant threat in Canaan |
| Milestones in Jacob’s family 35:16-29 35:16-20 Birth of Benjamin and death of Rachel 35:21-22a Reuben’s incest with Bilhah (Rachel’s servant) 35:22b-26 The 12 sons of Jacob (Israel) 35:27-29 The death of Isaac |
Great spiritual experiences are not security against the sorrows and trials of life Sin occurs in godly families as well Origin of the twelve (12) tribes of Israel |
| Esau’s descendants 36:1-43 36:1-14 Esau’s descendants 36:15-19 Esau’s descendants repeated 36:20-29 Descendants of Seir the Horite 36:31-39 Kings of Edom 36:40-43 Chiefs descended from Esau |
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| God’s elective blessing of Joseph above his brothers 37-50 | God’s providential care |
| Joseph’s destiny and disowning 37:1-36 37:1 Introduction 37:2-4 Jacob’s (Israel’s) favoritism toward Joseph; Joseph hated by his jealous brothers 37:5-11 Joseph’s dreams of his destiny of superiority among his own family 37:12-17 Joseph visits his brothers 37:18-24 The brothers’ plot to kill Joseph 37:25-28 Joseph sold into Egypt 37:29-36 The brothers deceive Jacob regarding the supposed death of Joseph |
Favoritism causes trouble
The deceiver is deceived himself! |
| Judah’s moral failure 38:1-30 38:1-5 Judah married a Canaanite 38:6-10 Judah’s evil sons 38:11 Judah deceives Tamar 38:12-19 Judah’s immorality – Tamar deceives Jacob 38:20-30 The consequences of Judah’s immorality |
Our sin has consequences for us and others |
| Joseph passes the test 39:1-23 39:1-6a Joseph manages Potiphar’s household 39:6b-10 Joseph tempted by Potiphar’s wife 39:11-12 Joseph tested by Potiphar’s wife 39:13-18 False accusations against Joseph by Potiphar’s wife 39:19-23 Jacob imprisoned unjustly. Made prison manager |
We all face temptations He recognized that it would be a sin against God Don’t make false accusations against people Godly people will have to endure injustice Suffering developed Joseph’s character |
| Joseph interprets dreams 40:1 – 41:36 40:1-8 Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker have dreams 40:9-15 Joseph’s favorable interpretation of the cupbearer’s dream 40:16-19 Joseph’s unfavorable interpretation of the baker’s dream 40:20-23 The two dreams are fulfilled 41:1-8 Pharoah has two dreams 41: 9-13 The cupbearer remembers Joseph 41:14-24 Pharaoh tells the dreams to Joseph 41:25-32 Joseph’s interpretation – seven good years and seven bad years 41:33-36 Joseph’s advice to Pharaoh |
Only God could interpret dreams |
| Joseph’s promotion to power in Egypt 41:37-57 41:37-45 Joseph made second in command and given a wife 41:46-49 Joseph stored huge quantities of grain 41:50-52 Joseph has two sons – Manasseh and Ephraim 41:53-57 Seven years of famine. But there was grain in Egypt |
Joseph was a similar age (30 years) to when Jesus commenced His ministry Put something of what you earn away to help you get you through tough times which may come your way |
| Joseph’s brothers first trip to Egypt for grain 42:1-38 42:1-7 Jacob (Israel) sends his sons to Egypt for grain 42:8-17 Joseph accuses them of spying 42:18-24 Joseph keeps Simeon until Benjamin comes to Egypt 42:25-28 Joseph’s return of money to each brother 42:29-34 Their report to Jacob 42:35-38 Jacob (Israel) refuses to let Benjamin go to Egypt |
Bad things happen to us all |
| Joseph’s brothers second trip to Egypt for grain 43:1 – 45:20 43:1-10 Family discussion about taking Benjamin to Egypt 43:11-15 Jacob (Israel) reluctantly lets Benjamin go to Egypt 43:16-25 Joseph invites them to a meal 43:26-34 Joseph’s meal with his brothers – they were seated in the order of their ages 44:1-5 Silver cup put in Benjamin’s sack 44:6-13 Benjamin arrested for stealing the silver cup 44:14-17 Judah admits their guilt 44:18-34 Judah’s offers to be detained instead of Benjamin 45:1-8 Joseph makes himself known to his brothers. They were terrified. Joseph acknowledges that God sent him to Egypt to save lives. 45:9-15 Joseph invites his family to move Egypt 45:16-20 Pharaoh invites Joseph’s family to move to Egypt |
The brothers eventually confess their sin against Joseph God can work through our circumstances |
| Jacob’s move to Egypt 45:21 – 47:12 45:21-28 Jacob (Israel) agrees to move to Egypt 46:1-7 The Hebrews move to Egypt with God’s blessing 46:8-27 The register of Jacob’s family of seventy who moved to Egypt 46:28-34 Joseph and his father reunited 47:1-12 Joseph’s family meet Pharoah |
God enables the Hebrews to survive the famine |
| Joseph’s administration of the Egyptian grain exchange 47:13-26 47:13-17 Grain sold in exchange for money and livestock 47:18-26 Grain sold in exchange for land |
Joseph sustains people physically, while Jesus sustains them spiritually |
| The final days of Jacob 47:27 – 48:22 47:27-31 Jacob’s (Israel’s) request to be buried in Canaan 48:1-7 Jacob (Israel) says that Ephraim and Manasseh will be considered to be his sons 48:8-22 Jacob (Israel) blesses Ephraim above Manasseh (younger over the older) |
Ancient middle eastern culture placed a priority on the firstborn son, but God’s choice was often different. |
| Jacob’s prophecies about his sons 49:1-28 49:1-2 Introduction 49:3-4 Reuben demoted because of his incest 49:5-7 Simeon and Levi’s will be dispersed in Israel because of their violence 49:8-12 Judah will rule over the others like a lion 49:13 Zebulun will live by the seashore near Lebanon 49:14-15 Issachar will be a hard worker 49:16-18 Dan will provide justice and be an expert in guerilla warfare 49:19 Gad will be a raider 49:20 Asher will have fertile land 49:21 Naphtali will have an independent spirit 49:22-26 Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) will be blessed with water and progeny and would gain supremacy amongst the northern tribes 49:27 Benjamin would be a fierce warrior |
Origin of the twelve (12) tribes of Israel |
| Jacob’s death 49:29 – 50:14 49:29-33 The death of Jacob (Israel) 50:1-3 Jacob (Israel) embalmed for 40 days and mourned for 70 days 50:4-14 Jacob’s (Israel’s) burial in Canaan |
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| Joseph reassures his brothers 50:15-21 50:15-21 Joseph reassures his brothers that he would not pay them back for their wrongs done to him |
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| The death of Joseph 50:22-26 50:22-26 Joseph asked the Hebrews to take his bones to Canaan when they leave Egypt. The death of Joseph |
Appendix: Was Genesis a polemic?
Liberal theologians have pointed to alleged parallels with pagan myths to claim that Genesis was not written by God, but borrowed from these myths. Conservative theologians retain divine inspiration, but some who capitulate to long-age ideas have used this idea in a different way. They argue that Genesis 1 was written as a polemic (a strong attack or defence of an opinion, person, idea, or set of beliefs) against these pagan myths.
Supposedly, the purpose of Genesis was to refute pagan beliefs involving worship of the sun, other luminaries, or pagan deities. In other words, Genesis is allegedly teaching us not to worship the sun but the true God who made the sun. But the text is not explicitly polemic, although the truth is always against falsehood.
Also, even if the polemic view were true, this doesn’t mean that it can’t be history. It would be useless to argue against a pagan using Genesis of it were just a story – one must show that the pagan belief is contradicted by what God actually did.
Also, most of these polemic-view advocates have a naïve view of paganism. Real pagans didn’t just worship the physical object, but the god behind it (1 Cor. 10:19-20). Examples of real anti-pagan polemics in the Bible are found in Isaiah 37:18-20 and 45:12-20.
Moses had no need to write a polemic for the Israelites against the pagans – they were leaving (or had left) Egypt, were not to evangelize the pagan nations but destroy them, and would not seriously interact with the Babylonians for many generations.
Another problem with the pagan polemic idea is the likelihood that the original sources of Genesis was the original and the pagan myths were the result of distortions of that original account. In the ancient Near East, simple accounts or traditions may give rise to elaborate legends, but not vice-versa. Borrowing embellishes history into fanciful legend, rather than simplifying a legend into a purposed historical account. And there is archaeological evidence consistent with the biblical teaching that mankind was originally monotheistic, and only later degenerated into idolatrous pantheism.
Reference
Sarfati J D, 2015, “The Genesis Account – A theological, historical and scientific commentary on Genesis 1-11”, Creation Book Publishers.
Acknowledgement
The Appendix is based on Sarfati 2015.
Also see: Snakes and ladders
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