An essential biography of one of the Bible's most influential books
During its 2,500-year life, the book of Genesis has been the keystone to important claims about God and humanity in Judaism and Christianity, and it plays a central role in contemporary debates about science, politics, and human rights. Ronald Hendel provides a panoramic history of this iconic book, exploring its impact on Western religion, philosophy, literature, art, and more. From debates about slavery, gender, and sexuality to struggles over creationism and evolution, Genesis has left its indelible mark on our world and continues to do so today. This wide-ranging account tells the remarkable life story of an incomparable spiritual masterpiece, tracing how Genesis has shaped views of reality—and how changing views of reality have shaped interpretations of Genesis.
Ronald Hendel is the Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the editor in chief of The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Edition, the coauthor of How Old Is the Hebrew Bible?, and the author of Remembering Abraham.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xi Introduction - The Life of Genesis 1 Chapter 1 - The Genesis of Genesis 14 Chapter 2 - The Rise of the Figural Sense 45 Chapter 3 - Apocalyptic Secrets 63 Chapter 4 - Platonic Worlds 83 Chapter 5 - Between the Figure and the Real 109 Chapter 6 - Genesis and Science: From the Beginning to Fundamentalism 145 Chapter 7 - Modern Times 196 Afterword - Stories of Our Alley 242 Timeline 247 Notes 249 Index of Citations 269 General Index 271
What People are Saying About This
From the Publisher
"[Hendel's] book is recommended to all those who would like to strike up an acquaintance with Genesis in its austere beauty and intriguing complexity."—Krzysztof Napora, Biblical Annals"Engaging and accessible."—Christopher McConnell, Booklist"A delightful read that both informs and engages the reader."—J. Richard Middleton, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith"Original and refreshing."—Arnold Ages, Jewish Post & Opinion"Intriguing."—Scott McLemee, Inside Higher Ed