Genesis Lesson 11. The Family of Cain. A New Son

Transcription

1 The Family of Cain Genesis Lesson Then Cain went out from the presence ( ) of the LORD and dwelt ( ) in the land ( ) of Nod ( ) on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew ( ) his wife ( ), and she conceived and bore ( ) Enoch. And he built ( ) a city ( ), and called the name ( ) of the city ( ) after the name ( ) of his son ( ) Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born ( ) Irad ( ); and Irad begot ( ) Mehujael, and Mehujael begot ( ) Methushael, and Methushael begot ( ) Lamech. 19 Then Lamech took ( ) for himself two wives ( ): the name ( ) of one was Adah, and the name ( ) of the second was Zillah. 20 And Adah bore ( ) Jabal. He was the father ( ) of those who dwell ( ) in tents ( ) and have livestock ( ). 21 His brother s name ( ) was Jubal. He was the father ( ) of all those who play the harp and flute. 22 And as for Zillah, she also bore ( ) Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister ( ) of Tubal- Cain was Naamah. 23 Then Lamech said to his wives ( ): Adah and Zillah, hear ( ) my voice; Wives ( ) of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed ( ) a man ( ) for wounding ( ) me, Even a young man ( ) for hurting ( ) me. 24 If Cain shall be avenged ( ) sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold. A New Son 25 And Adam knew ( ) his wife ( ) again, and she bore ( ) a son ( ) and named him Seth, For God has appointed another seed ( ) for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed ( ). 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son ( ) was born ( ); and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name ( ) of the LORD. 4:16-18 Cain, having been forced from the presence of the LORD, evidently went farther east from the garden of Eden than his parents. He dwelt in the land of Nod ( node meaning wandering or vagrancy from or vagabond in verse 14). It might be best to translate the last part of verse 16 as dwelt in the land of wandering on the east of Eden. 1 Immediately, we are told that Cain was intimate with his wife raising the question of her origin. We also know she conceived and bore a son named Enoch. Then Cain seems to defy God once again. Instead of wandering, Cain builds a city in an unknown location and names it Enoch after his son. This has been the traditional way of understanding verse 17; however, it is questionable that God would have allowed this type of rebellion without comment. We would normally take the antecedent of the pronoun he in he built a city to be Enoch if not for the name Enoch at the end of the 1 Kissling, P. J. (2004-). Genesis. The College Press NIV Commentary (228). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.

2 verse. Some scholars have proposed that the Enoch at the end of verse 17 is a misplaced gloss. Then the reading would be: He built a city and called the name of the city after the name of his son (i.e., Irad). This understanding also brings out a double play on the Hebrew words between built and son and between city and Irad. This also makes the name of the city sound very much like Eridu, supposedly the oldest city in the world. 2 The following map should help in visualizing this possibility. We are then given a list of Enoch s descendants up to the infamous Lamech. 4:19-22 Lamech moves farther away from God by taking two wives Adah and Zillah. Adah bore two sons. Jabal is the father of those who live in tents and have livestock. While Abel was a keeper of sheep, Jabal is the progenitor of those who have livestock or herds ( mik-neh') a more inclusive term for all types of animals that are herded as seen in Exodus 9: His brother Jubal is the father of musicians all those who play the harp and flute. Zillah bore Tubal-Cain and his sister Naamah. Tubal-Cain was a metal worker, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. This verse suggests 2 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (111). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 3 Sarna, N. M. (1989). Genesis. The JPS Torah Commentary (37). Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. 2

3 the simultaneous use of bronze and iron rather than the sequential use proposed in most reconstructions of ancient history, i.e., Stone, Chalcolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. 4 4:23-24 The man who dared to take two wives now versifies his egotism. In good Hebrew parallelism, Lamech boasts to his wives as he states his own law. (Notice the parallelism between the lines: Adah and Zillah wives of Lamech ; hear my voice listen to my speech ; I have killed a man even a young man ; for wounding me for hurting me.) He brags that he killed a young man for wounding or hurting him. Using the same two words found in Exodus 21:25 ( wound and hurt/stripe/bruise ), Lamech doesn t practice lex talionis ( law of retaliation in kind or an eye for an eye ). 5 If his murderous great-great-great-grandfather would be avenged sevenfold by God, Lamech boasts he will be avenged seventy-seven fold. So he kills a man for bruising him! Cain s family has drifted farther away from God. Some believe this is the numerical source for Jesus answer to Peter s question about forgiveness in Matthew 18: :25-26 Adam was intimate with his wife again. This time Eve bore another son whom she named Seth (literally, placed or appointed ). Eve explains how she views Seth as a substitute or the appointed one because God has appointed another seed for her in the place of Abel. In verse 1 of this chapter, it seemed Eve may have thought Cain was the fulfillment of 3:15. But, now, she admits that Cain killed Abel and realizes her hope must be in Seth. After two chapters dealing with man s fall and continued evil ways, we come to a bright spot again with the birth of Enosh son of Seth. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD! We can only imagine the full meaning of this phrase but it seems through Seth came a line of patriarchs who sought Jehovah and worshiped Him (Genesis 12:8; 26:25; and 28:19-22). Enosh ( en-ohsh') also means man and occurs over 30 times with this meaning mostly in Job and Psalms. (See Job 5:17 and Psalm 8:4a.) 4 Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis, Chapters The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (239). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 5 Collins Latin Dictionary Plus Grammar (xxvii). Glasgow: HarperCollins. 3

4 Genesis Lesson 12 The Family of Adam 5 This is the book ( ) of the genealogy ( ) of Adam ( ). In the day ( ) that God ( ) created ( ) man ( ), He made ( ) him in the likeness ( ) of God ( ). 2 He created ( ) them male and female, and blessed ( ) them and called them Mankind ( ) in the day ( ) they were created ( ). 3 And Adam ( ) lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot ( ) a son in his own likeness ( ), after his image ( ), and named him Seth. 4 After he begot ( ) Seth, the days ( ) of Adam ( ) were eight hundred years; and he had ( ) sons ( ) and daughters ( ). 5 So all the days ( ) that Adam ( ) lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died ( ). 6 Seth lived one hundred and five years, and begot ( ) Enosh. 7 After he begot ( ) Enosh, Seth lived eight hundred and seven years, and had ( ) sons and daughters. 8 So all the days ( ) of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years; and he died. Enosh lived ninety years, and begot ( ) Cainan. 10 After he begot ( ) Cainan, Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years, and had ( ) sons ( ) and daughters ( ). 11 So all the days ( ) of Enosh were nine hundred and five years; and he died. Cainan lived seventy years, and begot ( ) Mahalalel. 13 After he begot ( ) Mahalalel, Cainan lived eight hundred and forty years, and had ( ) sons and daughters. 14 So all the days ( ) of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died. Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and begot ( ) Jared. 16 After he begot ( ) Jared, Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years, and had ( ) sons and daughters. 17 So all the days ( ) of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years; and he died. 18 Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot ( ) Enoch. 19 After he begot ( ) Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and had ( ) sons and daughters. 20 So all the days ( ) of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died. Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot ( ) Methuselah. 22 After he begot ( ) Methuselah, Enoch walked ( ) with God three hundred years, and had ( ) sons and daughters. 23 So all the days ( ) of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked ( ) with God; and he was not, for God took ( ) him. 25 Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and begot ( ) Lamech. 26 After he begot ( ) Lamech, Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years, and had ( ) sons and daughters. 27 So all the days ( ) of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died. 28 Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and had ( ) a son. 29 And he called his name ( ) Noah ( ), saying, This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands ( ), because of the ground ( ) which the LORD has cursed ( ). 30 After he begot ( ) Noah, Lamech lived five hundred and

5 ninety-five years, and had ( ) sons and daughters. 31 So all the days ( ) of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years; and he died. 32 And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot ( ) Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 5:1-5 This is the second of the eleven toledoth sections. (The first was found in 2:4.) However, this is the only one introduced with the word book. Could this reference a missing book like those in Numbers 21:14; Joshua 10:13; and 2 Samuel 1:18? The genealogy of Adam begins with language almost identical to Genesis 1: We are not told Adam s age when Cain and Abel were born but we are told he is 130 years old when Seth is born the one whose lineage is important to the history of mankind (Luke 3:38). Adam, who was created in God s likeness and image, fathers a child in his own likeness and image. Sin has not prevented us coming into the world bearing God s likeness and image. After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years begetting other sons and daughters. So Adam lived a total of 930 years and died. 5:6-8 Now we are given details on the birth of Enosh whose father Seth was 105 years old when Enosh was born. After this, Seth lived 807 years begetting other sons and daughters before dying at the age of 912 years. 5:9-11 Enosh was 90 years old when his son Cainan was born. Many believe Cainan s name is a variant of his great uncle s name (Cain). After begetting Cainan, Enosh lived 815 years having more sons and daughters. Enosh died at the age of :12-14 Cainan was 70 years old when he begot Mahalalel. Then he lived another 840 years begetting more sons and daughters before dying at the age of 910 years. 5:15-17 Mahalalel was 65 years old when he begot Jared. Then he lived 830 more years begetting other sons and daughters before dying at the age of 895. By now we can see that this genealogy follows a pattern in the way the details are presented. 5:18-20 Jared was 162 years old when he begot Enoch (cf. 4:17). Jared lived 800 more years begetting other sons and daughters before passing away at the age of :21-24 When Enoch was 65 years old, he begot Methuselah. Then we are told that Enoch walked with God 300 years begetting other sons and daughters. Chances are that he walked with God before he begot Methuselah. Once again we are told that Enoch walked with God a phrase applied to only one other man in the Old Testament (Noah in Genesis 6:9). But, instead of listing Enoch s death, scripture simply says, and he was not, for God took him. Like only one other person (Elijah 2 Kings 2:1-11), Enoch did not experience a normal death (Hebrews 11:5). Notice also that Enoch will have the shortest lifespan of all the antediluvians in this list. 5:25-27 Enoch s son Methuselah lived 187 years and then begat Lamech not to be confused with his infamous distant relative descended from Cain. Methuselah lived 782 more years begetting sons and daughters before finally dying at the age of 969 years placing him in the record books as the oldest person who ever lived. 2

6 5:28-31 Noah s name literally means rest. 1 Perhaps Lamech envisioned his son bringing some kind of relief from the curse put on the ground in 3: (See 8:21.) After the explanation of Noah s name, the genealogy returns to its normal format. Lamech lived 595 years after the birth of Noah and begat other sons and daughters before dying at the age of :32 It seems strange that Noah was 500 years old when his first son was born. The two other sons were then born successively but none were born in the order listed. Perhaps Shem is listed first because the Messiah will come through his lineage. Most probably Japheth was the oldest (10:21) and then Shem. Noah was 600 years old when the flood began (7:6) but Shem was only 98 when the flood ended (11:10). On the other hand, Ham seems to be the youngest (9:24). Ages of the Patriarchs The curse brought about by the Fall of Adam resulted in death for Adam and his posterity. Though lifespans were initially quite long (averaging over nine hundred years), they rapidly declined after the Flood. Biblical genealogies (e.g., in Genesis, 1 Chronicles, etc.) are not necessarily sequential in the precise sense. In keeping with ancient genealogical practices, names are sometimes omitted within the list. The Hebrew term translated begot may also be translated became the ancestor of. How Old Were the Patriarchs? ADAM 930 years (Gen. 5:5) SETH 912 years (Gen. 5:8) ENOSH 905 years (Gen. 5:11) ENOCH 365 years (Gen. 5:23) METHUSELAH 969 years (Gen. 5:27) LAMECH 777 years (Gen. 5:31) NOAH 950 years (Gen. 9:29) The Flood SHEM 600 years (Gen. 11:10, 11) EBER 464 years (Gen. 11:16, 17) TERAH 205 years (Gen. 11:32) ABRAHAM 175 years (Gen. 25:7) ISAAC 180 years (Gen. 35:28) JACOB 147 years (Gen. 47:28) JOSEPH 110 years (Gen. 50:26) The patriarchs who lived before the Flood had an average lifespan of about 900 years (Gen. 5). The ages of post-flood patriarchs dropped rapidly and gradually leveled off (Gen. 11). Some suggest that this is due to major environmental changes brought about by the Flood. 2 1 Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. 2 Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Nelson s complete book of Bible maps & charts: Old and New Testaments (Rev. and updated ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 3

7 3 The Sumerian King List (second millennium B.C.) gives a chronological list of the Sumerian kings before and after the flood. 4 A possible explanation for the excessive numbers in the pre-flood Sumerian king list above is that it is based on a sexagesimal system (60 2 ) where a sar = 3,600 years and a ner = 600 years. The post-flood list is also probably based upon a sexagesimal system but the 60 is apparently not multiplied for its basic value. 3 Woolley, C.L. (1965). The Sumerians (p 21). New York: W.W. Norton & Company. 4 Dockery, D. S., Butler, T. C., Church, C. L., Scott, L. L., Ellis Smith, M. A., White, J. E., & Holman Bible Publishers (Nashville, T. (1992). Holman Bible Handbook (34). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. 4

8 Genesis Lesson 13 The Wickedness and Judgment of Man 6 Now it came to pass ( ), when men ( ) began to multiply on the face ( ) of the earth ( ), and daughters ( ) were born ( ) to them, 2 that the sons ( ) of God ( ) saw the daughters ( ) of men ( ), that they were beautiful ( ); and they took wives ( ) for themselves of all whom they chose. 3 And the LORD ( ) said, My Spirit ( ) shall not strive ( ) with man ( ) forever, for he is indeed flesh ( ); yet his days ( ) shall be one hundred and twenty years. 4 There were giants ( ) on the earth ( ) in those days ( ), and also afterward, when the sons ( ) of God ( ) came in to the daughters ( ) of men ( ) and they bore ( ) children to them. Those were the mighty men ( ) who were of old ( ), men ( ) of renown ( ). 5 Then the LORD ( ) saw that the wickedness ( ) of man ( ) was great in the earth ( ), and that every intent of the thoughts ( ) of his heart ( ) was only evil ( ) continually. 6 And the LORD ( ) was sorry ( ) that He had made ( ) man ( ) on the earth ( ), and He was grieved ( ) in His heart ( ). 7 So the LORD ( ) said, I will destroy ( ) man ( ) whom I have created ( ) from the face ( ) of the earth ( ), both man ( ) and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry ( ) that I have made ( ) them. 8 But Noah ( ) found grace ( ) in the eyes ( ) of the LORD ( ). Noah Pleases God 9 This is the genealogy ( ) of Noah ( ). Noah ( ) was a just ( ) man ( ), perfect ( ) in his generations ( ). Noah ( ) walked ( ) with God ( ). 10 And Noah ( ) begot ( ) three ( ) sons ( ): Shem ( ), Ham ( ), and Japheth. 11 The earth ( ) also was corrupt ( ) before God ( ), and the earth ( ) was filled with violence ( ). 12 So God ( ) looked upon the earth ( ), and indeed it was corrupt ( ); for all flesh had corrupted ( ) their way ( ) on the earth ( ). 6:1-2 Chapter 6 begins with a statement of men doing what God had commanded in 1:28 to be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth. But verse 2 has been open to a wide variety of interpretations. The pattern of saw good ( ) took is identical to Eve s action in the Garden of Eden (3:6) when she sinned. The big question for centuries has been the identification of the sons of God. There are basically three main theories. First, sons of God refer to angels or other heavenly beings. This would be consistent with its usage in Job 1:6 and 2:1. However, this view would conflict with the teaching by Jesus in Matthew 22: The second major view is that the sons of God (or sons of the gods ) refer to rulers or tyrants (especially those who took multiple wives like Cain s great-great-great-grandson Lamech or had harems). See Ezekiel 28:2-6 and Acts 12: This is also supported by the translation of as judges in Exodus 21:5-6 ( court of God in the LXX). See also the notes to Psalm 82:1 and 6 in the NKJV.

9 The best view (in my opinion) is that the sons of God represent the godly descendants of Seth. These in turn married the daughters of men who represent the violent descendants of Cain. This would appear to be the first case of being unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). 6:3 The Hebrew verb ( shall strive ) is an hapax legomenon (Greek once said ) appearing only here in scripture. Most scholars now lean toward the LXX/Vulgate usage of remain or abide. See the notes in the NIV and NKJV. But what does the 120 years mean? Rather than a limit on the lifespan of humanity, this time seems to refer to a grace period until the beginning of the flood. 1 6:4 We get the translation giants from the LXX ( ) and the Vulgate (gigantes). The transliteration Nephilim ( n e -fee-leem' ) used by the ESV, NIV and NASB may be the safer position to take. The word only appears two more times in the Old Testament both in Numbers Its appearance there only adds to the confusion because there is a definite reference to unusual size there. However, these Nephilim in Numbers could not be descendants of those in the antediluvian period. A literal translation of Nephilim is fallen ones an appropriate designation for degenerate offspring. These were the mighty men ( ghib-bor-eem') of old literally, men of name ( ) or possibly notorious men. 6:5-7 Man had become so distant from God that his every thought was evil. Notice how the fallen nature of man grieved the LORD. He made the decision to destroy man and every living creature on the face of the earth. The KJV translation of (nah-chahm') as repented has made for a little theological confusion. comes from a root meaning to sigh or breathe strongly. It means God is no longer obligated as in the story of Jonah and the destruction of Nineveh. Relented may be the best translation. 6:8 But, thankfully, one man Noah found grace or favor ( chane) in the LORD s sight! 6:9-10 This is the third toledoth section and repeats what we already know of Noah s lineage. Here we learn why Noah found favor in God s sight. Like his ancestor Enoch, Noah walked with God. But we also learn what this phrase means. Noah was a just or righteous man defined in Ezekiel 18:5 as one who does what is lawful and right. In legal contexts, (tsad-deek') means innocent or acquitted. Perhaps synonymously, Noah is also described as blameless ( tah-meem') among his peers. This word is often used to denote completeness or wholeness and frequently refers to blemish-free sacrificial animals as in Leviticus 1:3 and 10. What we already know is that Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. 6:11-12 The earth was corrupt or ruined by the deeds of man. Humans had defiled this planet ruined it! They have filled the earth with violence wrong-doing, mistreatment of others and injustice. 1 Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis, Chapters The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (269). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2

10 The Ark Prepared Genesis Lesson And God said to Noah, The end ( ) of all flesh ( ) has come before Me ( ), for the earth ( ) is filled with violence ( ) through them; and behold, I will destroy ( ) them with the earth ( ). 14 Make ( ) yourself an ark ( ) of gopherwood ( ); make ( ) rooms ( ) in the ark ( ), and cover ( ) it inside ( ) and outside ( ) with pitch ( ). 15 And this is how you shall make ( ) it: The length of the ark ( ) shall be three hundred cubits ( ), its width fifty cubits ( ), and its height thirty cubits ( ). 16 You shall make ( ) a window ( ) for the ark ( ), and you shall finish ( ) it to a cubit ( ) from above; and set the door ( ) of the ark ( ) in its side ( ). You shall make ( ) it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters ( ) on the earth ( ), to destroy ( ) from under heaven ( ) all flesh ( ) in which is the breath ( ) of life; everything that is on the earth ( ) shall die ( ). 18 But I will establish My covenant ( ) with you; and you shall go into the ark ( ) you, your sons ( ), your wife ( ), and your sons ( ) wives ( ) with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh ( ) you shall bring two of every sort into the ark ( ), to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 And you shall take ( ) for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them. 22 Thus Noah did ( ); according to all that God commanded ( ) him, so he did ( ). 6:13 This is the first (6:13-21) of four divine speeches in the flood narrative whereas Noah is silent throughout until 9:25! 1 God uses much of the terminology of verses the earth... filled with violence... all flesh. The triple use of a form of corrupt ( ) in verses is offset by the use of the same verbal root I will destroy ( ) in this verse. The end of all flesh has come, literally, before God s face it is going to happen! 2 Mankind has brought this upon himself and God is going to destroy mankind along with the earth. 6:14-16 God continues His speech by commanding Noah to build an ark or a box/chest ( tay-bah'). This Hebrew word is used only here and in the story of baby Moses Exodus 2:3 and 5. A different Hebrew word is used for the ark ( ah-rone') of the covenant in Exodus 25:10. He is told to make it out of an unknown tree or wood ( ates). Many believe this is cypress and is so translated in many modern translations (e.g., NIV and NRSV). Gopher is simply the English transliteration of the Hebrew word ( go'-fer). Inside, Noah is to make rooms ( kane) or, literally, nests (and is so translated in the dozen other times it is used in the Old Testament see Deuteronomy 1 Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis, Chapters The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (280). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (172). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

11 32:11 and Psalm 84:3). Then he is to cover the ark inside and out with pitch (bitumen or tar). Based upon an 18-inch cubit ( ahm-mah' - literally, forearm ), the ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. The specifics of the window are unknown; however, some believe the window was a cubit in height just under the roof and wrapped around the ark. A door was to be built into the side of the three-story or three-floor ark. 6:17-21 Although God had told Noah He was going to destroy the earth, He now gives some specifics. He is going to bring floodwaters ( mahb-bool' / mah'-yim) on the earth. Flood (or ) is mentioned 12 times in five chapters of Genesis and then only in Psalm 29:10 where it refers to reservoirs of water above the firmament. See Genesis 1:7: 7:11; 8:2; and 2 Peter 3:3-7. With these floodwaters, God is going to destroy every living creature on the face of the earth. But God is making a covenant with Noah to preserve him along with his wife, his three sons and their wives. Noah will also be accompanied by two of every animal male and female. Noah is to gather food for his family and the animals. 6:22 Righteous Noah did as God commanded him in everything he was told. 2

12 Genesis Lesson 15 The Great Flood 7 Then the LORD said to Noah, Come into the ark ( ), you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous ( ) before Me in this generation ( ). 2 You shall take with you seven each ( ) of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 also seven each ( ) of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth ( ). 4 For after seven ( ) more days ( ) I will cause it to rain ( ) on the earth ( ) forty days ( ) and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth ( ) all living things that I have made ( ). 5 And Noah did ( ) according to all that the LORD commanded him. 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters ( ) were on the earth ( ). 7 So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons wives, went into the ark ( ) because of the waters ( ) of the flood ( ). 8 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth ( ), 9 two by two they went into the ark ( ) to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass ( ) after seven ( ) days ( ) that the waters ( ) of the flood were on the earth ( ). 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day ( ) of the month, on that day ( ) all the fountains ( ) of the great deep ( ) were broken up, and the windows of heaven ( ) were opened. 12 And the rain ( ) was on the earth ( ) forty days ( ) and forty nights. 13 On the very same day ( ) Noah and Noah s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark ( ) 14 they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth ( ) after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 And they went into the ark ( ) to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in. 17 Now the flood ( ) was ( ) on the earth ( ) forty days ( ). The waters ( ) increased and lifted up the ark ( ), and it rose high above the earth ( ). 18 The waters ( ) prevailed and greatly increased on the earth ( ), and the ark ( ) moved about on the surface of the waters ( ). 19 And the waters ( ) prevailed exceedingly on the earth ( ), and all the high hills ( ) under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters ( ) prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains ( ) were covered. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth ( ): birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth ( ), and every man ( ). 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit ( ) of life, all that was on the dry ( ) land, died. 23 So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground ( ): both man ( ) and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth ( ). Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark ( ) remained alive. 24 And the waters ( ) prevailed on the earth ( ) one hundred and fifty days ( ).

13 7:1-4 In this second divine speech, the LORD invites Noah into the ark along with his family. Briefly he is told it is because the LORD has seen him righteous among the other humans. Now he is given additional instructions to bring along seven pairs (male and female) of clean animals, two each of unclean animals (male and female) and seven pairs of the birds of the air to keep the species alive. The distinction between clean and unclean animals must be for suitability for sacrifice since animals were not a food source until after the flood. 1 The classification of clean and unclean can be found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:4-20. While the initial hearers of the Pentateuch would understand these categories, Noah certainly understood also because he did as he was commanded. The LORD also reveals that 40 days and nights of rain will begin in one week seven days. The word for rain ( ) usually refers to normal rain and first appears in 2:5. The phrase forty days and forty nights often refers to an important, long period of time in scripture. As previously stated in 6:17, all living things to be destroyed are those air-breathing creatures on the face of the earth. 7:5-6 Once again, it is emphasized that Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. This was first affirmed in 6:22. The flood occurred when Noah was 600 years old and will serve as a reference point for dating events during the flood. 7:7-9 Since the flood is coming in seven days, Noah and his family enter the ark. Notice the order: Noah; his sons; his wife; and his sons wives. Next we have a listing of the animals clean and unclean by pairs (male and female) who entered the ark. Apparently, the animals came to Noah in the ark as God had indicated would happen in 6:20. Again, it is reiterated that it happened as God commanded Noah. 7:10-12 And it came to pass ( vah-y e -hee') a common phrase in Old Testament narrative that we first saw in 6:1 and literally means and it was. Noah had done as God commanded and now the LORD does as He promised one week before: the flood waters begin. But this is no ordinary rain. The windows of heaven were opened (the waters above the firmament) and it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. But water is also coming up from the earth from the fountains of the deep. And, to give some sense to the time, it is recorded according to Noah s age of 600 with the rain beginning in the second month and the seventeenth day. So Noah and his family and the animals entered the ark in the second month and tenth day. I would suggest writing beside verse 7 and beside verse 11. And, since it rained 40 days and 40 nights, can be written beside verse 12. 7:13-16 These verses elaborate verses with the names of Noah s sons and more details about the animals. Again, it is stated that the people and animals entered the ark as God had commanded Noah. We re also informed that the LORD shut Noah in. 7:17-20 The rains continued for 40 days and lifted the ark. The waters kept rising until all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. (This statement is sufficient to eliminate the idea of a local flood.) In fact, it seems the water was 15 cubits or 22 1/2 feet above the highest peak allowing the ark to float over them if we assume that the ark s draft was half its height of 30 cubits. 2 Does this mean that the water reached a level of 1 Sarna, N. M. (1989). Genesis. The JPS Torah Commentary (54). Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. 2 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (183). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 2

14 29,050 feet above sea level 22 ½ feet above the height of Mt. Everest? Probably not! The main mountain ranges were probably not thrust up until the flood waters began receding. 3 7:21-24 As promised by God, every air-breathing creature on the face of the earth died. The only survivors were Noah and those with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed on the earth for 150 days (including the 40 days of rain). 4 This equates to five 30-day months and allows us to write beside verse Kidner, D. (1967). Vol. 1: Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (98). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. 4 Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis, Chapters The New International Commentary on the Old Testament ( ). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 3

15 Noah s Deliverance Genesis Lesson 16 8 Then God remembered ( ) Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark ( ). And God made a wind ( ) to pass over the earth ( ), and the waters ( ) subsided. 2 The fountains of the deep ( ) and the windows of heaven ( ) were also stopped, and the rain ( ) from heaven ( ) was restrained. 3 And the waters ( ) receded continually from the earth ( ). At the end of the hundred and fifty days ( ) the waters ( ) decreased. 4 Then the ark ( ) rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day ( ) of the month, on the mountains ( ) of Ararat. 5 And the waters ( ) decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops ( ) of the mountains ( ) were seen. 6 So it came to pass ( ), at the end of forty days ( ), that Noah opened the window of the ark ( ) which he had made ( ). 7 Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters ( ) had dried up ( ) from the earth ( ). 8 He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters ( ) had receded from the face ( ) of the ground ( ). 9 But the dove found no resting place ( ) for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark ( ) to him, for the waters ( ) were on the face ( ) of the whole earth. So he put out his hand ( ) and took her, and drew her into the ark ( ) to himself. 10 And he waited yet another seven ( ) days ( ), and again he sent the dove out from the ark ( ). 11 Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters ( ) had receded from the earth ( ). 12 So he waited yet another seven ( ) days ( ) and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore. 13 And it came to pass ( ) in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters ( ) were dried up ( ) from the earth ( ); and Noah removed the covering ( ) of the ark ( ) and looked, and indeed the surface ( ) of the ground ( ) was dry. 14 And in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day ( ) of the month, the earth ( ) was dried ( ). 15 Then God spoke to Noah, saying, 16 Go out of the ark ( ), you and your wife, and your sons and your sons wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth ( ), so that they may abound on the earth ( ), and be fruitful and multiply on the earth ( ). 18 So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons wives with him. 19 Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth ( ), according to their families, went out of the ark ( ). God s Covenant with Creation 20 Then Noah built ( ) an altar ( ) to the LORD, and took of ( ) every ( ) clean animal and of ( ) every ( ) clean bird, and offered burnt offerings ( ) on

16 the altar ( ). 21 And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, I will never again curse the ground ( ) for man s sake, although the imagination of man s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. 22 While the earth ( ) remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day ( ) and night Shall not cease. 8:1-5 In the first use of a very important Hebrew verb, God remembered ( zahkar') Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals with him on the ark. When God remembers, He acts and extends His mercy. In 1:2, the Spirit ( roo'-ach) of God was hovering over the waters. Now God makes a wind ( roo'-ach) pass over the earth to remove the waters. What follows is a recap of the flood up to this point. The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped along with the rain as already noted in 7:12 and 17. At some point after the sources of the deluge were stopped, the waters began to decrease. At the end of 150 days or five months after the rains began on , the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat so we can put beside verse 4. The waters continued to decrease until the tenth month. Although the ark had already come to rest on the mountains of Ararat, the tops of the mountains were not seen until the first day of the tenth month and we can put beside verse 5. 8:6-9 Forty days after the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, Noah opened the window of the ark and released a raven. This unclean bird kept flying to and fro until the waters had dried up. We can write beside verses 6-7. He also sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground; however, the dove found no resting place ( mah-no'-ach) for her foot and returned to the ark for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. The dove found no rest ( no'-ach) outside the ark portrays a little word play in the text. Upon her return, Noah put out his hand and brought her back into the safety of the ark. 8:10-12 The wording in these verses waited yet another seven days leads many to believe that the first dove (a clean animal) was released one week after the raven. The second dove returns with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her mouth indicating dry land has reappeared and new growth is sprouting on the trees. The fact that it did not return until evening indicates the dove was able to find resting places as she searched for food. 1 Rather than God revealing all the details, Noah s simple experiment with the birds has let him know that the waters have receded from the earth. Finally, Noah sends out the dove for the third time after seven more days. This time, however, the dove did not return. 8:13-14 And it came to pass ( vah-y e -hee') on New Year s Day. We should note two specific dates in these verses. First, the waters are dried up from the earth on Sarna, N. M. (1989). Genesis. The JPS Torah Commentary (58). Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. 2

17 601 and we can write this date beside verse 13. This verb for dried up ( chahrahb') is most often used for bodies of water drying up. Even Noah removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. It is uncertain whether Noah removed some boards or some type of covering; however, this word for covering ( mick-seh') is used for the animal skins that covered the tabernacle (Exodus 26:14) raising the possibility of yet another detail of the ark. When Moses stretched out his hand over the Red Sea, the LORD caused a strong east wind to blow all night and made the sea into dry land ( chah-rah-bah') in Exodus 14:21. We can see the link between this word and the verb to become dry ( chah-rahb'). Yet, on the second date (write beside verse 14), we are told once again that the earth was dried ( yah-besh'). Maybe the best way to understand the difference is found in Exodus 14:22 (after the LORD made the sea into dry land) when the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground ( yahb-bah-shah'). This is same word used for dry land in Genesis 1:9-10. Again, we should be able to see the link between this noun and its related verb ( ). Sometimes the ground looks dry until we put our weight on it! We know that the rain began on and now we know that the earth is dry once again on meaning the flood has lasted twelve lunar months (354 days) and 11 days or the equivalent of our solar year of 365 days. 2 8:15-19 The earth is now dry and ready to be inhabited again. But Noah awaits the LORD s instructions now given in these verses. Noah is to leave the ark along with his wife, his sons and his sons wives. He is to remove the animals from the ark so that they may abound on the earth as they multiply. So Noah and his family went out along with all the animals according to their families. 8:20-22 Here we are introduced to two new terms altar ( miz-bay'-ach) and burnt offerings ( o-lah'). Although no details are given, Noah built ( bah-nah' same verb translated made in 2:22) an altar to the LORD. This appears to be his first action upon exiting the ark. He then took of every clean animal and bird and offered them as burnt offerings on the altar. (The NIV and ESV translate some of all the clean / some of every clean respectively but the NKJV reading of every clean animal is more literal.) The LORD smelled a soothing aroma from the burnt offerings. See also Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17 and 26:31. The LORD s reaction to Noah s sacrifice after the flood stands in stark contrast to the reaction of the gods to the sacrifice after the week-long flood in the Babylonian flood myth The Epic of Gilgamesh. The hero Utnapishtim also built an altar after the flood and offered sacrifices; however, the gods crowded around like flies after smelling the sweet savor of the offerings. (They were hungry having been deprived of their sacrifices during the flood.) 3 The LORD then decides to never again curse the ground for man s sake. Did the Flood remove the curse? Remember Lamech s words in 5:28-29? Wenham s translation of verse 21a leaves the curse of 3:17 intact: Then the LORD smelt the soothing aroma, and the LORD said to himself, I shall not curse the land again any further because of man... He just promises not to add to the original curse. 4 God states that the imagination of man s heart is evil from his youth. But 2 Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis, Chapters The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (305). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 3 Kissling, P. J. (2004-). Genesis. The College Press NIV Commentary (316). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co. 4 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (190). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 3

18 God promises to never destroy every living thing as He had done in the flood. As long as the earth remains, there will be day and night and the seasons. 4

19 Genesis Lesson 17 9 So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth ( ). And the fear ( ) of you and the dread ( ) of you shall be on every beast of the earth ( ), on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth ( ), and on all the fish of the sea ( ). They are given into your hand ( ). Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life ( ), that is, its blood ( ). Surely for your lifeblood ( ) I will demand a reckoning; from the hand ( ) of every beast I will require it, and from the hand ( ) of man ( ). From the hand ( ) of every man s brother I will require the life of man ( ). Whoever sheds man s ( ) blood ( ), By man ( ) his blood ( ) shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man ( ). And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth ( ) And multiply in it. Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant ( ) with you and with your descendants ( ) after you, and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth ( ) with you, of all that go out of the ark ( ), every beast of the earth ( ). Thus I establish My covenant ( ) with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters ( ) of the flood ( ); never again shall there be a flood ( ) to destroy the earth ( ). And God said: This is the sign ( ) of the covenant ( ) which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations ( ): I set My rainbow ( ) in the cloud ( ), and it shall be for the sign ( ) of the covenant ( ) between Me and the earth ( ). It shall be, when I bring a cloud ( ) over the earth ( ), that the rainbow ( ) shall be seen in the cloud ( ); and I will remember ( ) My covenant ( ) which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters ( ) shall never again become a flood ( ) to destroy all flesh. The rainbow ( ) shall be in the cloud ( ), and I will look on it to remember ( ) the everlasting covenant ( ) between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth ( ). And God said to Noah, This is the sign ( ) of the covenant ( ) which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth ( ). Noah and His Sons Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark ( ) were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth ( ) was populated.

20 And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father s nakedness. So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. Then he said: Cursed ( ) be Canaan; A servant ( ) of servants ( ) He shall be to his brethren. And he said: Blessed be the LORD, The God of Shem, And may Canaan be his servant ( ). May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant ( ). And Noah lived after the flood ( ) three hundred and fifty years. So all the days ( ) of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years; and he died. 9:1-3 God has already revealed His thoughts in 8:21-22 but now He pronounces a blessing on Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. This is almost identical to the blessing given in 1:28 in which man was to have dominion over every living thing. In the post-flood era, a new relationship is to exist between man and animal. Without mention of clean and unclean animals, God says every moving thing that lives is food for man just as the green herbs had been. 9:4-7 Life is equated with blood and therefore man is prohibited from eating blood. A reckoning is demanded when human blood is shed life for life or capital punishment. The reason seems simple because man is made in God s image. What God wants Noah and his sons to do is to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth. The wording at the end of verse 5 seems to provide a remedy for Abel s murder. 9:8-11 God again speaks to Noah and his sons. He is going to establish His covenant with them and their descendants and with every living creature. The covenant is very simple: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. This doesn t mean there will never be devastating floods. However, God will not use a flood to destroy mankind from the face of the earth. The earth will be destroyed in the future but not by a flood! (See 2 Peter 3:5-12.) 9:12-17 In verses 1-7, man is given some things he must and must not do. But, in verses 8-17, God tells man something He will do. He makes a covenant with Noah and every living creature on the face of the earth and with every generation that comes after them. God will never again destroy all flesh with water. God gives a sign of this covenant 2

21 the rainbow ( keh'-sheth). This Hebrew word appears 75 times in the Old Testament all but three times in this chapter and once in Ezekiel the word refers to an arc-shaped weapon. When the bow appears in the cloud, it will cause God to remember ( zah-kar') His covenant. Of course, He doesn t need a reminder but it certainly serves as reassurance to us. A sign ( oath) of the covenant is mentioned two other times in the Pentateuch Genesis 17:11 and Exodus 31: :18-19 Once again, we are reminded of the names of Noah s sons and told they came out of the ark to become the ancestors of everyone on earth. These verses serve as a prelude to chapter 10. The mention of Canaan as the son of Ham suggests we are going to hear more about him. 9:20-23 The text states that Noah began to be literally a man of the ground. Perhaps Noah returned to doing what he had done before the flood farming. And, in the practice of agriculture, he planted a vineyard. From the fruit of this endeavor, Noah produced wine which he drank and became inebriated. In his drunkenness, Noah became uncovered in his tent. Although people have speculated on this passage for years, it seems best to let verse 23 explain the situation. Even though uncovering one s nakedness is sometimes used euphemistically in the Old Testament, the text simply says that Ham saw his father s nakedness in his tent. (Once again, Ham is said to be the father of Canaan.) Maybe, if Ham had acted discreetly, this episode would have ended differently. However, after seeing Noah s nakedness, Ham told his two brothers who were on the outside of the tent. Shem and Japheth then took a garment and laid it on both their shoulders. Next, they walked backwards with the garment between them and covered the nakedness of their father. With their faces turned away, they did not see their father s nakedness. Could it be that Ham s actions failed to honor his father Noah? It is interesting that no blame seems to be attached to the intoxicating effects of the wine but Noah s nakedness is associated with shame and a loss of human dignity. (See also Habakkuk 2:15.) 1 9:24-27 At this point, we must assume that this episode of drunkenness must have occurred many years after the flood since Ham already has four sons (Genesis 10:6). When Noah sobered up, he knew what Ham his younger son had done to him. Of course, our inquiring minds want to know how Noah knew but the Holy Spirit did not see fit to inform us. The first recorded words out of Noah s mouth are a curse the first recorded curse by a man. 2 Interestingly, Noah curses his grandson Canaan instead of his son Ham. He curses Ham s youngest son instead of cursing his own youngest son. Canaan will be a servant of servants a slave to his brothers. Next Noah pronounces a blessing on the LORD, the God of Shem perhaps indicating Shem s special role in the redemptive history of Israel. Noah then invokes God s blessing on Japheth for growth as a people even to dwell in the tents of Shem. 9:28-29 Abruptly we learn that Noah is dead. He lived 350 years after the flood and then died at the age of Sarna, N. M. (1989). Genesis. The JPS Torah Commentary (65). Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. 2 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (201). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 3

22 4

23 Nations Descended from Noah Genesis Lesson Now this is the genealogy ( ) of the sons ( ) of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born ( ) to them after the flood ( ). 2 The sons ( ) of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles ( ) were separated into their lands ( ), everyone according to his language ( ), according to their families, into their nations ( ). 6 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim ( ), Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush begot ( ) Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one ( ) on the earth ( ). 9 He was a mighty ( ) hunter ( ) before the LORD; therefore it is said, Like Nimrod the mighty ( ) hunter ( ) before the LORD. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom ( ) was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh ( ), in the land of Shinar. 11 From that land ( ) he went to Assyria ( ) and built ( ) Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir ( ), Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal [ ] city [ ]). 13 Mizraim begot ( ) Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and Caphtorim). 15 Canaan begot ( ) Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; 16 the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; 17 the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite; 18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were dispersed. 19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. 20 These were the sons ( ) of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages ( ), in their lands ( ) and in their nations ( ). 21 And children were born ( ) also to Shem, the father ( ) of all the children ( ) of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder. 22 The sons ( ) of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The sons ( ) of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arphaxad begot Salah, and Salah begot Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 30 And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. 31 These were the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations. 32 These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations ( ), in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood ( ). 1

24 10:1 This is the fourth Toledoth section covering the genealogies of Shem, Ham and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. The Nations of Genesis 10 Genesis 10 is called the Table of Nations and is structured in terms of the descendants of the three sons of Noah: Japheth (vv. 2 5), Ham (vv. 6 20), and Shem (vv ). Many names mentioned in chapter 10 are identifiable with nations of ancient times, some of which have continued down to the present. 1 10:2-5 Japheth s lineage is listed first with seven sons. Being the eldest son, we would expect Japheth to head the list. It seems that his family occupies the smallest space in this chapter. This may be because his descendants will have the least to do with the nation of Israel in the future. Rather than getting bogged down with these names, I will try to give a brief summary for further study. Gomer is mentioned as a nation in Ezekiel 38:6 and is usually identified with the Cimmerians who eventually settled in Asia Minor. The nation Magog is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:2 and is identified with the Scythians by Josephus. It is probably best to place Magog somewhere in Anatolia (Turkey). Madai is used in the Old Testament to designate the Medes (2 Kings 17:6) who lived in what is now Iran between the upper Tigris River and the Caspian Sea. Javan is connected to 1 Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Nelson s complete book of Bible maps & charts: Old and New Testaments (Rev. and updated ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 2

25 Ionia in the Aegean area. Later it referred to all of Greece. In Ezekiel 27:13, merchants of Javan traded with Tyre. Tubal and Meshech also traded with Tyre according to this same verse in Ezekiel. They are normally associated with the peoples of Anatolia. Tiras is often linked to the Etruscans of Italy but probably originated in Asia Minor. The seven grandsons of Japheth three sons of Gomer and four sons of Javan have their own similar problems of identification. Ashkenaz (Jeremiah 51:27) is normally identified with Armenia. Riphath is a mystery but is usually placed in Anatolia due to his brothers. A form of Togarmah appears in Hittite texts and is thus associated with Asia Minor. Elishah and Kittim are both linked to Cyprus. Tarshish was a port city and Dodanim is often linked with the island of Rhodes in the Aegean. 10:6-7 Since the curse was pronounced on Canaan in chapter 9, we ve been anxious to hear about the sons of Ham. Cush is usually associated with Ethiopia (originally situated in Arabia see Exodus 3:1; Numbers 12:1; and Habakkuk 3:7) but also, at times, with the Kassites east of Assyria. There may be a link based on his sons in verse 7 as well as the one in verse 8. The lineages of Ham and Shem will receive much more detail than that of Japheth. Among the sons of Ham are some of Israel s closest neighbors who will exercise quite a bit of influence on God s people. Mizraim ( mits-rah'-yim) is the Hebrew word for Egypt. This word is dual in form (-aim) because the nation is divided into Upper and Lower Egypt. Put is listed as one of Egypt s allies in Nahum 3:9. The LXX (Septuagint) normally translates Put in prophetic passages as Libya. Hence, the common acceptance of Put as Libya. A better understanding of Canaan will be gained when we look at verses Although complete identification of all the sons of Cush is impossible, most of these are nations on the Red Sea and southern Arabia. Havilah was rich in gold according to 2:11. Genesis 25:18 and 1 Samuel 15:7 seem to place it in Arabia. Several Old Testament passages link Raamah, Sheba and Dedan with Arabia (e.g., Isaiah 21:13-14 and Ezekiel 27:20-22). 10:8-12 This sixth son of Cush receives an unusually large amount of attention perhaps because of the role Mesopotamia will play in the history of Israel. It is first said that Nimrod began to be a mighty one ( ghib-bore') on the earth or in the land. Since we encountered mighty ones ( ghib-bor-eem') in 6:4 before the flood, perhaps Nimrod is the first after the flood. One way in which he excelled was in hunting game ( a mighty hunter ). Although Nimrod is said to be a mighty hunter before the LORD, this does not mean he met with God s approval. The same could be said of the popular saying about Nimrod. This brief biography of Nimrod serves as a good introduction to chapter 11. Except for Calneh, the other locations are identifiable. There is a place named Calneh in Amos 6:2 but it seems to be located in Syria. Some scholars have revocalized to mean all ( ) of them as in the NRSV and in a note to the NIV. Babel or Babylon was the ancient capital city of Mesopotamia on the Euphrates River southwest of modern Baghdad. Erech or Uruk (modern Warka) is one of the earliest Sumerian cities. It was located 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. (Gilgamesh was once its king.) Accad (Akkad) was the capital city of a dynasty begun by Sargon I. (It was located in northern Babylonia but has never been found.) It also gave its name to the Semitic language of Mesopotamia Akkadian (written in cuneiform or wedge-shaped characters). These cities were in the land of Shinar that is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. Although Shinar does not appear in Mesopotamian documents, it is probably derived from an archaic pronunciation of Sumer. From this land, Nimrod went to Assyria and built Nineveh (on the east side of the Tigris River opposite modern Mosul). 3

26 Assyria is called the land of Nimrod in Micah 5:6. He also built Rehoboth Ir which cannot be located. Since the words literally mean city squares, it may refer to a suburb(s) of Nineveh. Calah is modern Nimrud, 24 miles south of Nineveh. Resen has never been found although it was located between Nineveh and Calah. Most believe the principal city refers to Nineveh although Calah was the capital city at one time. 10:13-14 Now we have a further expansion on Ham s descendants this time through his son Mizraim (or Egypt). His children are all listed as peoples (plural -im ending) many whom are unknown. In Isaiah 66:19, Lud seems to be associated with Asia Minor. 2 However, Lud is a son of Shem in verse 22. But Jeremiah 46:9 and Ezekiel 30:5 seem to place Lud closer to Egypt and Arabia. 3 Yet, since Lud is linked with the bow in both locations, we just can t be sure. The Ananim, Lehabim and Naphtuhim cannot be 2 Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis, Chapters The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (340). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 3 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (224). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 4

27 identified with certainty. The Pathrusim (the people of Pathros Jeremiah 44:1, 15; Ezekiel 29:14; 30:14) lived in upper (or southern) Egypt. Casluhim is unknown but Amos 9:7 reveals that the Philistines came from Caphtor (Crete). 10:15-20 Canaan receives the most space of Ham s sons. His firstborn was Sidon giving credence to the tradition that Sidon was the most ancient Phoenician settlement halfway between Tyre and Beirut. Heth is associated with the Hittites of Anatolia and with pre-israelite inhabitants of the Judean hill country (Genesis 23:3-20). As the list of Canaan s descendants continues, we encounter names of the non-semitic peoples who inhabited the Promised Land before the Israelites entered. The Jebusites inhabited Jerusalem until David defeated them in 2 Samuel 5:6-9. The Amorites came from territory northwest of Babylonia. Mari on the Euphrates River was one of their capitals. They settled in Palestine in the second millennium B.C. shortly before Abram arrived. Mamre was an Amorite (Genesis 14:13). The Girgashite appears only in these lists of the pre- Israelite population of Palestine. Some believe they may be related to the Gergesenes of Matthew 8:28. The Hivites seem to have lived well to the north in what is now Lebanon and Syria (Joshua 11:3 and Judges 3:3) although they are sometimes found further south (Genesis 34:2). The Arkites and Sinites appear only here and in 1 Chronicles 1:15. The Arkites may be connected to a place named Arqah in Phoenician territory about 11 miles north of Tripoli, Lebanon. The Sinites were another northern Canaanite people on the Phoenician coast near Arqah. The Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites are all mentioned in 1 Chronicles 1:16. Arvad was an island city associated with Tyre and Sidon in Ezekiel 27:8. The Zemarites are unknown but must be from northern Canaan. Hamath was the northern boundary of Canaan and Israel (Joshua 13:5). The families of the Canaanites seemed to have begun in one central location and then dispersed to Sidon in the north and Gerar in the south and to the various cities at the southern end of the Dead Sea. 10:21-25 Now we have a list of Shem s offspring. Shem was the father of all the children of Eber and the younger brother of Japheth. The mention of Eber (Shem s greatgrandson) at this point seems to indicate some significance among Shem s descendants. Elam is the most eastern country named in this chapter. It was to the east and northeast of the Euphrates River and Mesopotamia. Asshur served as the capital of Assyria. Arphaxad is unknown. Many suggestions have been made but the identification remains a mystery. Like Arphaxad, Lud is not really known and the appearance of the Ludim under Ham in verse 13 only clouds the issue. Aram is the ancestor of the Arameans (Syrians) to the north and northeast of Palestine. It is difficult to pinpoint the locations associated with the four sons of Aram. Although we can t identify Arphaxad, we know he had a son named Salah who, in turn, had a son named Eber. Most believe Eber ( ) is the ancestor of the Hebrew people. Abram is the first person called a Hebrew ( ) in scripture (Genesis 14:13). Eber then had two sons Peleg and Joktan. Peleg s name (which comes from a root meaning to divide ) probably foreshadows the dispersal of the nations at Babel in the next chapter. Joktan seems to be related to some tribes of southern Arabia. 10:26-31 Thirteen sons of Joktan are given. Scholars believe the unidentifiable limits of their dwelling place were in Arabia. 5

28 10:32 This verse mimics verse 1 as it concludes the table of nations. It also serves as a prelude to the dispersal of the nations in chapter 11. 6

29 The Tower of Babel Genesis Lesson Now the whole ( ) earth ( ) had ( ) one language ( ) and one speech ( ). 2 And it came to pass ( ), as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land ( ) of Shinar ( ), and they dwelt ( ) there. 3 Then they said to one another, Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly. They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, Come, let us build ( ) ourselves a city ( ), and a tower ( ) whose top is in the heavens ( ); let us make ( ) a name ( ) for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face ( ) of the whole ( ) earth ( ). 5 But the LORD came down to see the city ( ) and the tower ( ) which the sons ( ) of men ( ) had built ( ). 6 And the LORD said, Indeed the people ( ) are one and they all ( ) have one language ( ), and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse ( ) their language ( ), that they may not understand ( ) one another s speech ( ). 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face ( ) of all ( ) the earth ( ), and they ceased building ( ) the city ( ). 9 Therefore its name ( ) is called Babel, because there the LORD confused ( ) the language ( ) of all ( ) the earth ( ); and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face ( ) of all ( ) the earth ( ). Shem s Descendants 10 This is the genealogy ( ) of Shem ( ): Shem ( ) was one hundred years old, and begot ( ) Arphaxad two years after the flood ( ). 11 After he begot ( ) Arphaxad, Shem ( ) lived five hundred years, and begot ( ) sons ( ) and daughters ( ). 12 Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Salah. 13 After he begot Salah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. 14 Salah lived thirty years, and begot Eber. 15 After he begot Eber, Salah lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters. 16 Eber lived thirty-four years, and begot Peleg. 17 After he begot Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters. 18 Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu. 19 After he begot Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters. 20 Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Serug. 21 After he begot Serug, Reu lived two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters. 22 Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor. 23 After he begot Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. 24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and begot Terah. 25 After he begot Terah, Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters. 26 Now Terah lived seventy years, and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. 1

30 Terah s Descendants 27 This is the genealogy ( ) of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot. 28 And Haran died before his father ( ) Terah in his native land ( ), in Ur of the Chaldeans. 29 Then Abram and Nahor took ( ) wives ( ): the name ( ) of Abram s wife was Sarai, and the name ( ) of Nahor s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah. 30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child. 31 And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land ( ) of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt ( ) there. 32 So the days ( ) of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran. 11:1-4 Verses 1-2 both begin with ( vah-y e -hee'). This chapter starts with an introduction to what is about to happen. All the earth had one language (literally, one lip ) and one speech (literally, words ). Evidently, Noah s descendants began traveling eastward (and southward) from Mount Ararat. At some point in time, they found a plain in the land of Shinar (ancient Baylonia or Sumer + Akkad) and settled there. 1 The people said to one another, Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly. At this point, no reason is given for making the bricks. They had all the necessary building materials brick for stone and asphalt for mortar. Then we are told the reason. They want to build a skyscraper that reaches into the heavens. They wanted to make a name for themselves as some had done for themselves before the flood (4:17 and 6:4). But, instead of multiplying and filling the earth, they want to remain in one place. 11:5-9 The tower failed to reach the heavens because the LORD came down to see it. With man s common language and purpose, nothing could stop them but the divine (cf. 3:22). So the LORD decided to confuse their speech so they couldn t communicate with one another literally, so they couldn t hear one another s language ( lip ). By doing this, the LORD scattered the people abroad from there over the face of all the earth. Of course, they ceased building the city. Who named the city is unclear although it is called Babel ( confusion?) because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. It was also the LORD (by this means) who scattered them abroad. Additional note on the tower of Babel: ZIGGURAT [ZIG guh rat] an ancient Mesopotamian temple tower consisting of a lofty pyramid-like structure built in successive stages with outside staircases and a shrine at the top. The ziggurat was an architectural form common to the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians from about 2000 to 600 B.C. The ancient ziggurat at UR is typical of others built in this part of the world. It is a massive, solid structure with a mud-brick core and firedbrick shell. This tower originally stood to a height of about 21 meters (70 feet) above the 1 Hamilton, V. P. (1990). The Book of Genesis, Chapters The New International Commentary on the Old Testament ( ). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2

31 plain, although only about 15 meters (50 feet) of the lowest platform now remains. At the summit was a shrine of Nannar, the moon god. The ziggurat was thought to symbolize a mountain, with the temple on top bridging the gap that separates humanity from the gods. The Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1 9) is thought by many scholars to be a ziggurat. Photo by Gustav Jeeninga The restored bottom stories of a ziggurat at ancient Ur. Built about 2000 B.C., all but the foundation of the structure had eroded away by the time it was uncovered by archaeologists Nelson s new illustrated Bible dictionary (R. F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, R. K. Harrison & Thomas Nelson Publishers, Ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. 3

32 11:10-11 This is the fifth toledoth section of the book of Genesis. An account of Shem s descendants was given in 10:21-31; however, in those verses, the emphasis ended on Eber s son Joktan and his offspring. According to this passage, Shem was 98 years old when the flood ended. Two years later, he begot Arphaxad and then lived 500 more years (to age 600) begetting other sons and daughters. 11:12-13 Although Shem had other sons, this genealogy section is only concerned with a specific lineage. One thing we ll start to notice is that the begetting begins earlier and the life-spans start to decrease. 3 Unger, M. F. (2005). The new Unger s Bible handbook (Rev. and updated ed.) (55 56). Chicago: Moody Publishers. 4

33 11:14-15 Salah, the grandson of Shem, begat Eber who lent his name to the Hebrews through Abram (14:13). 11:16-17 In the previous chapter, we were told Eber had two sons Peleg and Joktan. We know Joktan s descendants settled in Arabia. Now we will follow the lineage through Peleg. 11:18-19 Since Peleg was born 101 years after the flood (part of the fourth generation), we can make an assumption about the Tower of Babel. In 10:25, the implication is made that Peleg s name was associated with the people from the Tower of Babel incident. Name Age at birth of descendant Years lived after the birth Age at death Shem Arphaxad Shelah Eber Peleg Reu Serug Nahor Terah Abram :20-23 The years between generations and individual lifespans continue to decrease. Reu is probably a shortened form of Reuel, meaning friend of God. 5 Serug perhaps lent his name to a well-known city just a little north of Haran. 11:24-26 While we are interested in the lineage to Abram through Terah, we must be aware that Terah s sons are not listed in order of ages. Rather, they are listed in order of importance in the rest of the narrative. 6 11:27-30 With the sixth toledoth section, we reach a milestone Abram is the 10th generation from Noah (and Noah, the 10th generation from Adam). Here we are 4 Kissling, P. J. (2004-). Genesis. The College Press NIV Commentary (386). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co. 5 Sarna, N. M. (1989). Genesis. The JPS Torah Commentary (85). Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. 6 Kissling, P. J. (2004-). Genesis. The College Press NIV Commentary (391). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co. 5

34 introduced to Lot Abram s nephew. Haran died in his native land Ur of the Chaldeans after begetting at least three children. Nahor married his niece (Lot s sister). Abram married Sarai but she was barren. 11:31-32 Briefly we are told of Terah s migration from Ur to Haran and his subsequent death at age Ross, A. P. (1985). Genesis. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.),. Vol. 1: The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (46). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 8 Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (72). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. 6

35 Promises to Abram Genesis Lesson Now the LORD had said to Abram ( ): Get ( ) out of your country ( ), From your family ( ) And from your father s ( ) house ( ), To a land ( ) that I will show you. 2 I will make ( ) you a great ( ) nation ( ); I will bless ( ) you And make your name ( ) great; And you shall be a blessing ( ). 3 I will bless ( ) those who bless ( ) you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families ( ) of the earth ( ) shall be blessed ( ). 4 So Abram departed ( ) as the LORD had spoken ( ) to him, and Lot went ( ) with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran ( ). 5 Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people ( ) whom they had acquired ( ) in Haran, and they departed to go ( ) to the land ( ) of Canaan. So they came to the land ( ) of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land ( ) to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land ( ). 7 Then the LORD appeared ( ) to Abram and said, To your descendants ( ) I will give this land. And there he built ( ) an altar ( ) to the LORD, who had appeared ( ) to him. 8 And he moved from there to the mountain ( ) east of Bethel ( ), and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name ( ) of the LORD. 9 So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South ( ). Abram in Egypt 10 Now there was ( ) a famine in the land ( ), and Abram went down to Egypt ( ) to dwell ( ) there, for the famine was severe in the land ( ). 11 And it came to pass ( ), when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife ( ), Indeed I know ( ) that you are a woman ( ) of beautiful countenance. 12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see ( ) you, that they will say, This is his wife ( ) ; and they will kill ( ) me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I ( ) may live because of you. 1

36 14 So it was ( ), when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw ( ) the woman ( ), that she was very beautiful. 15 The princes ( ) of Pharaoh also saw ( ) her and commended ( ) her to Pharaoh. And the woman ( ) was taken to Pharaoh s house ( ). 16 He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17 But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of ( ) Sarai, Abram s wife ( ). 18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this you have done ( ) to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife ( )? 19 Why did you say, She is my sister? I might have taken her as my wife ( ). Now therefore, here is your wife ( ); take her and go your way ( ). 20 So Pharaoh commanded his men ( ) concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife ( ) and all that he had. 12:1-3 It s difficult to determine the exact point in time or location of Abram s call. Following the text, it appears Abram is in Haran; however, notice Stephen s speech in Acts 7:2-4. Stephen s account as well as the LORD s in Genesis 12:7 plus the grammar allow for the NKJV s had said. God makes four promises to Abram. First, He ll make him a great nation. Secondly, He will make Abram s name great. Thirdly, Abram will be divinely protected. Although the translation reads curse him who curses you, the Hebrew is closer to curse him who disdains you. And, finally, all the families of the earth will be blessed through Abram. See Galatians 3 for the fulfillment of this last one. But God s promises to Abram were contingent on him getting out or going (literally, walking )! Note: The chronology (dates) found in the margins or center columns of King James Version (KJV) Bibles was developed by Bishop James Ussher an Irish church leader and scholar ( ). They were constructed on the basis of the ages given in the begettals. The first accurate date established with extra-biblical sources was the Babylonian capture of Jerusalem in 597 B.C. (2 Kings 24:12). 12:4-6 Hopefully, the diagram below will be useful in visualizing Abram s family. Abram left Haran at age 75 or 60 years before his father died if we take 11:26 at face value. 1 Abram is accompanied by his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot along with their possessions and the people (literally, souls ) they had acquired in Haran. Abram entered the land of Canaan and arrived at Shechem. We are told that the Canaanites were in the land at this time. 2 1 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (278). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 2 Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Nelson s complete book of Bible maps & charts: Old and New Testaments (Rev. and updated ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 2

37 Abraham s Journey of Faith Abraham s 1,500-mile journey was fueled by faith. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country,... for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:8 10). 3 12:7-9 We are not told how the LORD manifested Himself to Abram at Shechem but He amplified His promise to Abram. Here at Shechem Abram s first recorded stop in the land of Canaan, God tells Abram that He will give this land to Abram s descendants (which number zero at this time). Abram built an altar to the LORD but we don t know if he offered sacrifices or just worshiped God in some way. From there, Abram journeys some 20 miles to the south to Bethel (which literally means house of God ), Bethel is approximately 10 miles north of Jerusalem. Once again, he built an altar to the LORD but this time we are told that Abram called on the name of the LORD. This is the same phraseology used in 4:26 after the birth of Enosh. We don t know how long Abram remained in each location but he continues on his journey after leaving the mountains east of Bethel. The text simply says he continued on toward the Negev the South. The Hebrew grammar indicates that Abram and his entourage traveled in stages. 4 3 Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Nelson s complete book of Bible maps & charts: Old and New Testaments (Rev. and updated ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. 4 Wenham, G. J. (1998). Vol. 1: Genesis Word Biblical Commentary (281). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 3