Introduction

The first book of the Bible was given its name from the Greek word Genesis, which means “beginning” or “origin,” and it is the equivalent of the Hebrew word bereshith, the first word of the Hebrew text transferred to the title of the book. Genesis, therefore, is the account of how its authors believed phenomena observed or known to them began, particularly the earth, life on it, and Hebrew history. In everyday life, the author of P experienced light and darkness; day and night; morning and evening; the sky as a dome, with birds and the sun, moon, and stars; earth as dry land, with vegetation of many kinds, some for food; wild and domestic animals; creeping things on the earth; and waters, with all kinds of creatures large and small. Besides the creation of the heavens and earth, J's account in Genesis provides an explanation of how animals got their names, although none is actually named. Indeed, J's “beginnings” are at the same time explanations.

Both authors believed that the earth and all on it were created by God (Genesis 1:1–2:24). This means that they came from a theocratic (Greek, theos, “god” and kratos, “power”) society. From the beginning, the God of P was in control of everything, including nature, as the formless void, darkness, and the deep indicate. Henceforth, God was in control of the earth and everything on it, including humans.